Heritage snaps 20-game losing streak by routing Fort Vancouver 43-7

The last time the Heritage Timberwolves won a varsity football game, Luke Melvin was a freshman.

Owen Daley was still in middle school.

On Saturday night at Kiggins Bowl, two of Heritage’s four team captains took in every bit of the post-game celebration after the Timberwolves routed Fort Vancouver 43-7, snapping a 20-game losing streak.

“I’ve been here all four years, played at the varsity level all four years,” Melvin said. “This is my first time (with a win). I love it. I’m so happy.”

Daley said: “It’s incredible. From two years ago and having 25 guys on the roster to going 0-9 (again) last year. The countless months since … it’s so great. It feels so good.”

Sophomore Kahni Clark rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns and Heritage piled up 468 total yards as the Timberwolves got their first win since Oct. 15, 2021, a game Melvin missed with an injury.

Melvin and Daley said the long journey to this elusive first varsity win for them started in January 2023 when Kevin Peterson was named Heritage’s head coach.

“It all started with Coach Peterson,” Daley said. “He started building his coaching staff from the bottom up. He got fan support, got a full sideline. It’s incredible.”

Heritage’s program has ballooned to more than 100 players in Peterson’s second season at the helm.

“We ran out of helmets,” Peterson said. “We still have a couple of kids, we’re trying to find a helmet for them because they just decided to come out. It’s just a testament to our kids and their desire to be successful. And believing in each other.

“We have a great coaching staff who are constantly talking to kids and building relationships. But they have to enjoy playing with each other and for each other. And as the school year has started, we’ve had 10 to 12 new kids come out and want to play, just from hanging out with their peers.”

Heritage found new strength in its growing numbers. Clark was the surprise standout Saturday.

“That was a breakout night for him,” Peterson said. “We had to convince him last spring to give up his dream to be a receiver and play running back. And to be honest, he’s our second-string running back. Our starter had some family commitments and was unable to play tonight. Maybe it’s a Wally Pipp story.”

Wally Pipp is the former New York Yankee first baseman who got hurt, was replaced by Hall-of-Famer Lou Gehrig and never got his starting job back.

But Heritage got big plays from all over its roster. Justin Noyons caught 74-yard touchdown pass from Daley to give Heritage a 23-0 halftime lead.

The defense held Fort to 37 net yards rushing. Isaiah James and Delo Holmes added interceptions.

When the final horn sounded at Kiggins Bowl, the Timberwolves wasted no time in dousing their head coach with water.

“He’s always believed in us, and that’s the biggest part,” Melvin said of Peterson. “He’s going to stay here for a long time. I can tell.”

After going through the post-game handshake line with the Trappers, the Heritage players sprinted over to the scoreboard on the south end of the field for a picture.

But before they could pose, the scoreboard was turned off. It was the only time all night the Timberwolves were stopped from doing what they wanted.

Even without their scoreboard photo, it was a night the Timberwolves won’t soon forget.

And they also hope Saturday was the start of something bigger. The Timberwolves host Hudson’s Bay on Friday at McKenzie Stadium.

“The next 48 hours, we’re going crazy,” Daley said. “We’re going to have a team dinner. It’s going to be exciting. But we know that come Monday, it’s time to move forward. It’s time for Week 2, and we got get ready.”

HERITAGE 43, FORT VANCOUVER 7

Heritage 16 7 14 6—43

Fort Vancouver 0 0 0 7— 7

First quarter

H—Jose Serrato 28 FG

H—Jacob Karpyuk 4 pass from Owen Daley (kick failed)

H—Kahni Clark 9 run (Serrato kick)

Second quarter

H—Justin Noyons 74 pass from Daley (Serrato kick)

Third quarter

H—Clark 51 run (Serrato kick)

H—Delo Holmes 24 pass from Daley (Serrato kick)

Fourth quarter

FV—Ayden Hyde 40 pass from Caleb Hyde (Denis Zayets kick)

H—Treylon McGraw 85 pass from Joshua Mitchell (kick failed)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Heritage: Clark 10-254, Daley 3-17, Mitchell 2-3, Ammanuel Daniel 4-6, Julius Santos 1-1, team 1-(-20). Fort Vancouver: C. Hyde 14-39, Denis Zayets 7-3, Dylan Duenas 4-2, A. Hyde 1-(-3), team 1-(-4).

PASSING — Heritage: Daley 7-12-1-122; Mitchell 1-1-0-85. Fort Vancouver: C. Hyde 11-30-2-137.

RECEIVING — Karpyuk 3-8, Luke Melvin 2-16, Noyons 1-74, Holmes 1-24, McGraw 1-85. Fort Vancouver: A. Hyde 3-61, Kaden Taylor 2-27, Duenas 1-0, Kyler Smith 1-8, Javeer Bunnell 1-22, Zayets 2-7.