BATTLE GROUND — The Battle Ground offense gets a lot of attention. It is warranted, too.
Still, the Battle Ground defense had something to say Thursday night, taking down Heritage in a 42-0 Class 4A Greater St. Helens League football game at District Stadium.
“Our defense is going to be one of the puzzle pieces we have to get victories, to make the whole picture come true,” defensive lineman Brady Brick said. “We’re trying to make a strong statement as to what our defense can be. A strong message with what we can do with our pads.”
It is Battle Ground’s second shutout of the season after going eight seasons without one.
Gunner Talkington threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns, Max Randle had 125 yards receiving and two scores, and the Battle Ground (4-1, 2-1 GSHL) defense never really came close to allowing the Timberwolves on the scoreboard.
“It’s just a good feeling to come out and play your game,” said Battle Ground linebacker Landon Hall, who had two sacks and an interception. “We want to contend with the big boys. Every game you have to bring it. Our defense was kind of weak last week. We had to come out with a statement tonight. That’s what we did.”
Heritage (2-3, 0-3 GSHL) has been struggling to score recently, but a shutout is still a shutout.
“We really, really played hard,” said linebacker Kolton Lehto, who also had a sack. “We focused on what we were doing in this game. I’m really proud of the defensive line, the whole defensive squad.”
Brick was one of those defensive linemen who shined for the Tigers. He had a sack on a play when three Tigers met the quarterback at the same time.
The Tigers held the Timberwolves to 37 yards of offense in the first half, 108 for the game.
That effort allowed the Battle Ground offense to make it a running clock scenario midway through the third quarter.
Randle caught a 44-yard TD pass on the second offensive play of the game. Later in the first quarter, he outjumped a Heritage defender for a catch. Then the defender tried to take the ball out of Randle’s hands. Instead, Randle pulled the ball and the defender at least five yards into the end zone for a 14-0 lead.
The Tigers got three rushing touchdowns in the second quarter — Bailey Buckner, Reed Thompson, and Curtis Stradley scored.
Thompson had an interception to set up his own score. The Tigers scored again 58 seconds later after Hall’s interception. In all, Battle Ground picked off four Heritage passes.
The Tigers closed out the scoring in the third quarter when Logan Hertner caught a wide receiver screen and then raced down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown from Talkington.
Heritage’s best drive of the night reached the Battle Ground 27-yard line. But the Tigers defense got out of that jam, preserving the shutout.
“It’s hard to do,” Battle Ground coach Larry Peck of the achievement. “It is important to build pride in our defense.”
BATTLE GROUND 42, HERITAGE 0
Heritage 0 0 0 0—0
B. Ground 14 21 7 0—42
First quarter
BG — Max Randle 44 pass from Gunner Talkington (Riley Betcher kick)
BG — Randle 39 pass from Talkington (Betcher kick)
Second quarter
BG — Bailey Buckner 3 run (Betcher kick)
BG — Reed Thompson 1 run (Betcher kick)
BG — Curtis Stradley 25 run (Betcher kick)
Third quarter
BG — Logan Hertner 50 pass from Talkington (Betcher kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Heritage, Michael Taras 7-(minus 6), Kalani Umiamaka 8-15, Lafi Sosene 10-30, Gavin Lee 2-12, Team 1-(minus 1). Battle Ground, Stradley 2-48, Talkington 6-(minus 24), Thompson 10-65, Buckner 5-17, Damarea Dunningan 1-1, Taylor Stewart 3-(minus 5).
PASSING — Heritage, Taras 3-14-4-26, Lee 3-11-0-32. Battle Ground, Talkington 13-20-0-269.
RECEIVING — Heritage, Nick Somboun 5-46, Lee 1-12. Battle Ground, Randle 5-125, Hertner 2-55, Kyle Cahoon 3-36, Chase Gunter 1-12, Thompson 1-13, Cole Grossman 1-28.
