Football Game Preview: Heritage Academy Gateway Heroes vs. Mission Heights Prep Phantoms

The Heritage Academy Gateway Heroes will take on the Mission Heights Prep Phantoms at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Heritage Academy Gateway had to skate by with only a three-point margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 22-point drubbing they dealt American Leadership Academy on Friday. The Heroes blew past American Leadership Academy 36-14. The result was nothing new for the Heroes, who have now won three matchups by 22 points or more so far this season.

Heritage Academy Gateway's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Tyler Lines, who rushed for 127 yards and two TDs on only seven carries. Lines' longest rush was for an incredible 74 yards. The team also got some help courtesy of Caleb Baker, who rushed for 152 yards and one score on only 11 carries.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Heritage Academy Gateway was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 413 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in November of 2024.

Meanwhile, Mission Heights Prep was able to grind out a solid victory over Skyline Prep on Friday, taking the game 18-8. The win continues a trend for the Phantoms in their matchups with the Bengals: they've now won three in a row.

Mission Heights Prep now has a winning record of 4-3. As for Heritage Academy Gateway, their victory bumped their record up to 6-3.

Heritage Academy Gateway beat Mission Heights Prep 32-24 in their previous matchup back in September. Will the Heroes repeat their success, or do the Phantoms have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.