Heritage Hills football has something to prove as it chases championships this fall

LINCOLN CITY, Ind. – The final memory of last season didn’t encapsulate what Heritage Hills had accomplished. There’s a reason why Braydon Durham remembers it, though.

The season was a quantifiable success, especially when one considers what occurred before it. The program was coming off its second losing season in 30 years. It rebounded with a year that resembled Patriot football.

Again, it’s the final result that sticks out for Durham and the other upperclassmen. A loss in the sectional championship involving a running clock by halftime.

“We weren’t as good as we thought we were,” said Durham. “We’re coming out this year with something to prove. (A championship) is the overall goal.”

This year could be different. Heritage Hills believes it.

The Patriots return over a dozen starters from a 9-3 campaign that ended in the sectional final. They’ll employ a plethora of options in the backfield. A defense hungry to erase the final memory of that ill-fated final.

Championships have become expected at "The Jungle" since the days of Bob Clayton. Although it’s pure projection at this point, Heritage Hills appears ready to challenge for titles again.

“I think we can get back to championship-level football this year,” said Heritage Hills coach Todd Wilkerson. “We could tell in the first couple of days how quickly we’re picking up on things we’re installing. I believe they can definitely take the next step.”

Why the optimism? It starts with the depth chart. Specifically, in the backfield.

Normally, Wilkerson can point to three strong runners on the roster. This year he has confidence in seven to potentially have a big night. It includes three of the top four from a year ago in senior Skyler Staples (552 yards, 12 touchdowns), senior Shane Staples (484 yards, nine scores) and sophomore Hunter Meredith (304 yards).

That depth will also translate to other areas. Most, if not all, of them will be two-way players. They can rest on the sideline without worrying about a drop-off. Wilkerson also listed senior Brendan Chew, senior Brayden Foertsch, junior Preston Coop and Durham. You could throw in returning quarterback Camden Schipp (415 total yards) as well.

“A lot of nice athletes who give us a lot of flexibility,” said Wilkerson.

“Huge difference,” added senior lineman Brody Ford. “There are a lot more guys on the line. It’s all for one goal. We want to be champions. We have the capability on this team if we keep working hard.”

The potential brewing in Lincoln City extends to the defense. Durham (116 tackles) was among the top linebackers in the Pocket Athletic Conference. Seven of the Patriots’ top nine tacklers are back. For a group that posted four shutouts, that’s not inconsequential.

Again, it can be all talk. The group struggled to keep teams off the scoreboard in bigger games. When allowing over 20 points last season, Heritage Hills went 1-3. Two of those results were blowouts against eventual state champion Gibson Southern.

The team is searching for more physicality, team speed and mental fortitude.

“It’s all about mental,” said Ford. “If you don’t have good mental, it’s not going to be a good team. The team has to work together. I believe this year we’ll be a lot more physical and mentally strong.”

This will be year 11 for Wilkerson in charge. He knows what a winning team looks like. The early results are promising for a successful season, which also includes a sectional field minus Gibson Southern and Mount Vernon. The calendar also only reads August.

As a recent practice started, an upperclassman yelled to others in the warmup line, “We have to beat Mount Vernon”. That’s the Week 1 opponent. Heritage Hills is focused on earning each step towards competing for a championship.

“I’m very optimistic,” said Wilkerson. “I feel like we’re ahead of the curve. We have a lot of guys who have quality experience that are a year older and understand our system. It’s always how good is everyone else. It all looks great at the moment but you have to win games.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

Heritage Hills Patriots

Last year: 9-3 (3-2 in Pocket Athletic Conference)

Coach: Todd Wilkerson, 76-36 in 11th year

Players to Watch

Skyler Staples (RB/LB, Sr.), Shane Staples (RB/DB, Sr.), Braydon Durham (RB/LB, Jr.), Brendan Chew (RB/DB, Sr.), Brayden Foertsch (RB/DL), Hunter Meredith (RB/LB, So.)

The Patriots' three biggest games

Aug. 19 vs. Mount Vernon: Heritage Hills lost this opener last year. A win would serve as a positive early benchmark and go a long way towards competing for the PAC title.

Sept. 2 at Boonville: Ask Wilkerson and this matchup makes him pause. The Pioneers feature several quality athletes who are ready to compete again following a tough season. They've split the series − it was a 14-12 Patriot win in 2021 − since Boonville rejoined the PAC.

Sept. 23 vs. Gibson Southern: If Heritage Hills wants to clinch championships, this is arguably a must-win. Gibson Southern may have lost several notable athletes but is still a PAC contender. Heritage Hills will be at home this time after losing twice on the road.

Previously: Gibson Southern | Mater Dei | Harrison | Boonville | Central | Princeton | Jasper | Bosse | Forest Park | North Posey | Memorial | Vincennes Lincoln | Castle | Reitz

Next: Tell City

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA football: Heritage Hills optimistic about depth, experience