Football: Heritage Wins Win One with Potomac Falls to Improve to 3-1 on Season, 2-0 in Dulles District

Special to VivaLoudoun
By Carl Lukat/Loudoun Times-Mirror Sports Editor

Leesburg (Sept. 18, 2011) - Potomac Falls High School and host Heritage treated spectators to one of the more entertaining games of the 2011 football season Sept. 16 in Leesburg. The teams combined for 70 points and more than 800 yards of offense. And the outcome was in question until the final minute of regulation as the lead changed hands six times.

When the dust finally settled, Heritage came away with a 39-31 victory to improve to 2-0 in the AA Dulles District and 3-1 overall this season. The Pride won a combined three games in the previous two seasons playing in the AAA Cedar Run District.

"It's been a tough last two years," said senior Austin Nelson, in his third season as the Pride's starting quarterback. "I wouldn't change anything. I've had fun with the guys. But it's awesome to do this in our senior year. Everyone is having fun, that's the main thing. That's how football should always be."


Nelson and his teammates certainly had a lot of fun to start Friday's game.

Three plays after senior Marcus Finney returned the opening kickoff 57 yards into Panther territory, Nelson connected with senior Brady Gerling on a 33-yard touchdown pass. On the first play of Potomac Falls' second series, linebacker Chris Rader intercepted a pass and returned it 44 yards for another score as the Pride built a 13-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.

The Panthers (1-1, 1-3) rebounded nicely from the slow start - finding the end zone on two of their next three possessions to take a 14-13 lead. Junior quarterback Michael Fischetti capped both drives with touchdown passes - the first to junior Kareen Watson and the second to senior Sam Dillistin.

Fischetti finished with 337 yards passing and three touchdowns, but was intercepted five times. Watson hauled in seven passes for 154 yards and two scores. Sophomore Jacob Rugen helped keep the chains moving for the Panthers with 136 rushing yards and four receptions.

The teams continued to swap the lead until Heritage went on top for good with 4:01 left in regulation. Nelson's 1-yard touchdown plunge capped an 82-yard, run-oriented drive with junior Kevin Pyszka's extra point giving the Pride a 32-21 lead.

Nelson and sophomore Grant Westbrook thwarted the Panthers' next two drives with interceptions. In between, Nelson hit Finney in stride for a 68-yard touchdown on a key third down play to cap the scoring in the 39-31 win.

Nelson passed for 227 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for two more scores in the win. Finney (four receptions for 103 yards and two scores) was Nelson's top target, and junior Victor Leonard (13 carries for 76 yards) led the rushing attack. Rader finished with two interceptions and junior Nicholas Wright also picked off a pass.

Both teams are back in action Sept. 23. Potomac Falls hosts defending Division 4 state champion Briar Woods (2-0, 2-1), while Heritage travels to Sterling to face Park View (1-1, 1-3).

"We've been able to get a little momentum going early," Nelson said. "We have some confidence. We need to keep going strong."


Heritage 39, Potomac Falls 31

First Quarter
H: Gerling 33 pass from Nelson (Pyszka kick) 10:59
H: Rader 44 interception return (kick blocked) 8:21
PF: Watson 43 pass from Fischetti (Caldwell kick) 4:29

Second Quarter
PF: Dillistin 8 pass from Fischetti (Caldwell kick) 10:59
H: Nelson 1 run (run failed) 2:06
PF: Lumsden 30 field goal, :04

Third Quarter
PF: Rugen 2 run (Fischetti pass to Dillistin) 2:38

Fourth Quarter
H: Finney 23 pass from Nelson (Pyszka kick) 9:55
PF: Watson 51 pass from Fischetti (pass failed) 8:12
H: Nelson 1 run (pass failed) 4:01
H: Finney 68 pass from Nelson (Pyszka kick) 1:36


Individual Leaders

Rushing: PF-Rugen (22 for 136 yards, TD); H-Leonard (13 for 76 yards), Narvaez (13 for 41 yards)

Passing: PF-Fischetti (27 of 43 for 337 yards, 3 TD, 5 Int.); H-Nelson (13 of 25 for 227 yards, 3 TD)

Receiving: PF-Watson (7 for 154 yards, 2 TD), Bulger (6 for 30 yards), Allen (4 for 63 yards), Dillistin (4 for 43 yards, TD), Rugen (4 for 17 yards); H-Finney (4 for 103 yards, 2 TD), Wright (3 for 42 yards), Gerling (2 for 48 yards, TD).


Carl Lukat is the sports editor for the Loudoun Times-Mirror -- Loudoun's community newspaper for a long, long time! -- read more of his great work at www.loudountimes.com.