Heath rides comeback momentum on road to perennial power Wheelersburg
HEATH ― For the second consecutive week, Heath will attempt to become road warriors.
After the Bulldogs reeled off 33 consecutive points in a 33-24 Week 10 win at Johnstown, anything seems possible. Only this time, the trip is a lot longer, and the competition a bit steeper.
Sixth-seeded Wheelersburg (7-3) awaits 11th-seeded Heath (6-4) at 7 p.m. Friday in a Division V, Region 19 opener, and the Bulldogs will see loads of tradition when they enter that stadium. The Pirates, a 2021 regional finalist, have captured two state titles, including in 2017, and have won eight regional championships.
But junior-dominated Heath, without a senior starter, doesn't figure to be intimidated. The Bulldogs admittedly will have to get off to a better start, and raise their game.
"Our guys just need to do what they practice all the time," coach Tim Ward said, "We can't go in there and make mistakes. We have to execute, play as hard as we can, and give ourselves a chance in the fourth quarter."
Trailing 21-0 in the first quarter and 24-7 at halftime at Johnstown may have been a blessing in disguise for Heath. It forced the Bulldogs to band together, and the results speak for themselves.
"We had to focus on everyone doing their job. Too many guys were trying to do someone else's job in the first half," Ward said. "Everyone was blaming everyone else, and we couldn't have that," said junior running back-defensive end Daylen McIntyre. "Everyone came together," junior wideout-cornerback Conner Toomey said. "We knew that if we stayed together, we would stop making bad plays."
Heath will need more playmaking from Toomey and McIntyre to hang with The Burg. Toomey caught a 70-yard TD pass from Brayden Bayles, who became the Bulldogs' all-time leader in completions as only a junior, McIntyre gathered in a 27-yard scoring pass and also scored on a 1-yard run. Toomey leads Heath with 36 receptions for 558 yards and three scores, and also has five interceptions. McIntyre has caught 18 passes for 275 yards and three TDs, and also leads the Bulldogs defensively with five sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
"Both guys do a lot of different things for us," Ward said. "Daylen is one of the best defensive ends in the league."
For the second consecutive week, Heath will see a run-oriented offense.
"They run about 75 percent of the time," Ward said. "But they present a little different challenge, because they do a lot of motion and shifts, and try to get the defense in a predicament they can attack." An all-senior backfield includes 6-foot-4 quarterback Eli Jones and three running backs (Derrick and Eric Lattimore along with Ethan Glover) who are all over 500 yards.
"I think playing Johnstown has prepared us," Toomey said. "We have to stop their run and make them throw."
Heath will have all of its starters back next season on both sides of the ball, but the Bulldogs want to make a statement now. The winner faces the survivor of third-seeded Barnesville (10-0) and 14th seed Piketon (6-4) on the following Friday.
"What other people are saying about us, really doesn't matter," McIntyre said. "We always have a sense of urgency."
"I just know if we play our game and come together really strong, we can beat anyone," Toomey said. "If we can knock these guys off, it would be a big advantage."
Ward said The Burg is a good program to emulate.
"They're pretty senior dominated, and we're pretty young, and still working our way towards where they've been," he said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Heath rides comeback momentum on road to perennial power Wheelersburg
