By Dan Vance
MaxPreps.com
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The Heritage Patriots didn't really need much to lock up another Allen County Athletic Conference title, but they almost got more than they bargained for against Garrett (3-6) in the final game of the regular season.
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With only one other team (Adams Central) in contention for the title, the Patriots were forced to rally late in a defensive showdown to top the Railroaders, 9-6.
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It was the Heritage defense that eventually set up the game-winner, recovering a fumble deep in Patriot territory early in the fourth quarter.
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"Recovering that fumble was so tremendous for us," Heritage coach Robert Yager said. "That gave us enough momentum to keep going."
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Worn out, exhausted, tired and every adjective in between, the Patriots proceeded to drive the ball all of the way down the field for the chance to win.
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But they didn't do it easily or quickly. Instead, Heritage took 20 plays, moving 65 yards in just over eight minutes to bring the ball exactly where they wanted and needed it at the Garrett 15-yard line. They did it by playing traditional Heritage bruiser football, with carries coming a flurry of different red jerseys.
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Kyle Klingenberger carried the ball 11 times for 53 yards on the final drive, part of a 136-yard night. A Zeb Moriarty pass, his only pass for positive yardage on the chilly Indiana night, brought Heritage close within range to secure the ACAC title. The other Klingenberger, Neil, brought them the rest of the way with a 30-yard field goal with just 37 seconds to play.
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"Garrett played so hard," Yager said. "Our kids just wanted it and did what they had to do to get it."
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The only other two scores came in the first quarter.
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Heritage struck first on a Devron Robinson run, while Garrett countered with a 15-yard pass to Shane LeQuia from Beau Schendel. Both conversion attempts failed as the Railroaders blocked a Heritage extra-point attempt and then could not complete a pass on their own two-point conversion attempt.
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Norwell, Dwenger Wrap Up Titles
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The titles were theirs for the taking, actually being called champions was just a slight technicality as Norwell, the Northeast Hoosier Conference champions, and Bishop Dwenger, the Summit Athletic Conference champions, wrapped up their seasons this past Friday.
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Dwenger (8-1) was never really challenged in this year's "Battle for the Bishop's Trophy" game against the rival Knights of Bishop Luers (2-7).
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A balanced attack saw the Saints recover from last week's crushing defeat at the hands of Snider, dominating the Knights through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Kevin Merz threw for 112 yards and a pair of scores and ran for another 70 yards on 14 carries, quite uncharacteristic for the three-year starter.
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Jermarkis Willis and Cody Barney accounted for the two other Dwenger touchdowns and 182 more rushing yards, while standouts Kevin Fogler and John Goodman were more than content staying low key with their receiving night.
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Capturing the Bishop's Trophy was just icing on the cake for the team who was also wrapping up their first conference title since 1996.
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"It's just a special thing," Merz said. "We have worked so hard year-after-year, it is a big weight off our shoulders. Now we just have to do the same come next week."
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Despite being the favorite to win the past two seasons, Dwenger has struggled in Sectional play. Two years ago they were shocked in double overtime by a feisty Bellmont team, and last year fell apart as fellow SAC team South Side won the crown.
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Norwell had a little easier time as they wrapped up the school's first ever NHC title by beating winless Columbia City (0-9), 47-0. The Knights (9-0) were led again by leading rusher Cole Hoopingarner, who compiled 157 yards on only 11 carries. The senior back added onto his area-leading touchdown total with three scores. Hoopingarner has taken the ball into the end zone 19 total times this season.
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Hoopingarner had all three of his scores in the first half, including an 80-yard run to lead 28-0 at the break. Quarterback Chandler Harnish also ran in a first half score and finished the night with 83 yards rushing and 48 passing before coming out to give the backup quarterback Kyle Miller some snaps.
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The win was Norwell coach Jeff Miller's 500th career victory.
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Bustamante Has Showcase Week
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Concordia first-year quarterback Armando Bustamante helped his team snap a streak of tough games as the Cadets smashed Elmhurst (0-9).
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Bustamante, who has spent his entire career up to this season as a running back, reverted to his old ways with 133 yards playing back in his old position.
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It true Bustamante form, he also ran in three scores to help Concordia (4-5). Bustmante, who has been playing running back for the past three games, is expected to start at quarterback again next week as they host Maconaquah in first round Sectional action.
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Northeast Indiana Player of the Week
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Jordan Wise, the top passer in the NHC led Homestead to a decisive, 35-6 win over New Haven one week after dropping NHC title hopes in a punishing loss at the hands of Norwell. Wise threw for 182 yards and ran for 32, but scored every single Spartan touchdown with two on the ground and three over the top.