The Heritage football players call it Project 11.
They want to leave their mark, do something that has never been done in the program’s history.
Wide receiver E’Lon Mack is doing his part to leave his own legacy, as well, with the Timberwolves.
Last week, he scored the 15th receiving touchdown of his career, a school record. Now in his third year of varsity football, Mack made it here because he stayed there at Heritage, loyal to the school he loves.
In an age when so many talented players leave middling or struggling programs for greener pastures elsewhere, this Division I recruit has stayed true to the Timberwolves. He never even considered leaving, actually, despite seeing a number of other guys depart.
“It’s frustrating losing players,” Mack said. “I wanted to stay here with my friends, work hard with them. If you end up winning here, it would feel like we did it, we worked for it, instead of just transferring to a winner.”
Heritage coach Jack Hathaway said: “It’s something to be said for his character and his devotion to the program.”
It can be difficult dealing with the losing. The Timberwolves won two games last year; only three during Mack’s sophomore campaign.
Yet here are the Timberwolves, still fighting. In four games this season, Heritage already has matched last year’s win total as the team prepares to open league play against Union on Friday. The top three teams in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League will make it to the state preliminary round.
The Timberwolves have been there many times but have never made it to Week 11, to the first round of the state football playoffs. Hence the name Project 11.
Mack’s mark might as well be called Project 15 TDs and Counting.
At 6 feet, 185 pounds, muscular and fast, Mack is getting looks from several college programs. The University of Idaho offered a scholarship. Mack is keeping his options open, and he has heard from other big schools.
His talent also attracts the attention of high school defensive coordinators. Through four weeks, Mack has 18 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns while his best friend Victor Duran leads the region with six touchdown receptions.
When Mack is in the game, the defense has to know where he is.
“I like it but I don’t like it at the same time,” Mack said. “I feel respected, but it’s also, ‘Oh, c’mon.’ “
Yeah, he would not mind facing single coverage once in a while.
Duran, on the other hand, loves the fact that defenses sometimes leave him open as they chase after Mack.
“Having an all-state caliber receiver on your team opens up the offense for everyone else,” Duran said. “Even if he doesn’t catch a pass, he’s helping us.”
Mack and Duran came up with Project 11. Heritage has made it to the state preliminary round playoff — Week 10 — six times but has never won at that stage.
“The goal is to leave our mark,” Mack said. “That’s our motto. We’ve gone through the adversity of losing players, of having hard losses. We just want to leave our mark.”
That does not mean anyone from Heritage is guaranteeing a playoff berth or postseason success this season. What is not up for debate is the commitment from Mack, Duran, and other leaders. They have promised to do what they can to put Heritage in position to excel in the future.
“Heritage was a school that never hit the weight room. Now, we hit the weight room,” Mack said. “All offseason. During camp. Speed training. There is a completely different vibe.
“When you lift with your team, it pushes you more. When you’re in the weight room with your football brothers, it’s more competitive. And when you see someone hit their weight, everyone goes crazy.”
That passion is what drove Mack to excel in football.
“You like the feeling of having a team with you,” Mack said. “You have to rely on other people through good and bad times. It’s like having another family.”
Heritage is Mack’s other family.
He knows he has left his stamp here. The record is special to him, but he hopes he does not have it for long. He said he is looking forward to the day when someone breaks his record, when someone else leaves his mark with the Timberwolves.
“No matter where I am,” Mack said, “I’m always going to root for Heritage.”
