Heritage Closes in On League Title With Easy Win Over Lakeside

Heritage running back Sione Takitaki points to the sidelines as he crosses the 5-yard line on the way to a 33-yard touchdown run Friday night.

Four down, one to go. Or is it 19 and counting?

The first set of numbers is what matters most, says Heritage High football coach Kraig Broach, who almost needed a calculator to track the Patriots' scoring in a 49-0 blowout win over Lakeside Friday night.

True, Heritage extended its four-year winning streak in Sunbelt League games to 19, with just a game at Elsinore next Friday standing between the Patriots and another perfect league season. Since coming into the league in 2010, the Patriots haven't lost once.

But most of that winning streak is ancient history to Broach, who is focused on the other stat -- a 4-0 record in league play this season.

"You don't even need to throw that stuff out there," Broach said about the team's dominance in league play over the years. "Next week we're playing Elsinore, who is playing right with us near the top of the standings, and we have an opportunity to play for the league championship. That's big enough. Next week is going to be a great high school football game."

Indeed, Heritage's win over Lakeside puts the Patriots in position to wrap up their fourth straight league title next Friday. Heritage will take a 4-0 league record and 8-1 overall mark into the game at Elsinore (3-1, 5-4), which has lost only to Paloma Valley (3-1, 8-1).

Heritage, Paloma Valley and Elsinore all are headed to the CIF playoffs, where the Patriots know they will be tested much more severely than they were Friday night.

For all intents and purposes, this game was over after the first quarter, when Heritage led 21-0. In fact, the Patriots scored two touchdowns on their first three offensive plays. Sophomore quarterback Brett Virgil (left) threw TD passes to Stefan Patterson (44 yards) and Chris Nile (16 yards) to give Heritage a 14-0 lead by the time fans had barely settled into their seats.

Moments after the defense forced the third consecutive Lakeside punt, Heritage was on the board again. Sione Takitaki rambled 33 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead. Limihai Hifo made it 28-0 with a 1-yard TD dive after a 49-yard run early in the second quarter.

At halftime, the Patriots had 346 yards total offense. Virgil completed 5 of 8 passes for 106 yards and 2 TDs. Hifo rushed for 77 yards and a score and Takitaki ran for 54 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Morrow tacked on a 32-yard touchdown run and Jalen Glover ran 23 yards for a score for a 42-0 halftime lead.

The second half was played with a running clock, with virtually all the Heritage starters on the bench. Several seniors on the second string got a chance to play on Senior Night.

"It's the last home game for the seniors," Broach said. "I'm very proud of them and how they represented. It was a nice overall performance. In the second half, to have guys who normally don't get to play come in and execute, that was very rewarding."

Even a sophomore got into the mix in the third quarter. Running back Carlos Vargas scored on a 13-year touchdown run.

The only real challenge for the Patriots was to stay focused against outmanned opposition. The Patriots had 135 yards in penalties by halftime.

Senior wide receiver Cristian Sanchez heads upfield after catching a pass in the second quarter Friday night.

Sophomore running back Carlos Vargas crosses the goal line on a 13-yard touchdown play.

Limihai Hifo picks up yardage in a big first half for the Patriots.