COLUMBUS — For the second year in a row, Lee Academy reached the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools’ playoffs only to go one and done.
Heritage Academy, on its home field, scored 34 unanswered first-quarter points to end the Colts season with a 41-6 defeat Friday night.
“I was disappointed that we came out flat,” said a disappointed Lee Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Rick Johnston.
The Patriots won the toss, took the opening kickoff and on the third play of the game sent running back K.J. Smith wide right and the speedster scored the first of his four touchdown of the night with only 36 seconds gone in the game on a two-yard run up the middle after scooting 48 yards around right end to set up the touchdown. Kicking specialist Lex Rogers then booted the first of his six extra points to give the Pats a 7-0 lead.
Lee held Heritage to a four and out to force a punt and on the first play after the punt Patriot quarterback Carter Putt found wide receiver Noel Fisher wide open in the center of the field 5-11 junior hauled it in and outran the Lee defensive backs to the end zone. The one-play drive covered 51 yards and, after Rogers kicked the PAT, Heritage led, 14-0 with 9:27 left to play in the first quarter.
The Patriot defense shut down the Colt offense again and senior quarterback Hayes Clegg booted a 33-yard punt and on the third play after the punt Smith burst up the middle again for a 29-yard scoring run. Rogers again booted the PAT to push the score to 21-0 with 5:15 showing on the first-quarter clock.
The Colts tried some razzle dazzle to start their next offensive drive as Clegg handed off to wide receiver Nickos Nolan who pitched the ball to wide receiver Andrew Morson who threw a pass intended for tight end Jeffrey Corso which was picked off by Patriot defensive back Noel Fisher.
Putt took advantage of the theft by tossing a 31-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Jared Long to put his team ahead 28-0 with 5:15 left in the opening period.
Junior running back Gage Murphy failed to convert a fourth-and-two at his own 28, losing a yard on the effort and Smith broke free at the Lee 26 and scored his third TD of the night. Rogers’ PAT boot sailed wide left to leave the Patriots ahead, 34-0.
At this point, Heritage had run eleven plays and scored four touchdowns and led 34-0.
The Colts took advantage of the Patriots substituting freely early in the second quarter as Clegg mounted a drive with a 31-yard run while Murphy broke a 13-yard run that moved the ball to the Heritage 30 yard line. Clegg kept the drive alive with a 10-yard pick up to the Patriot 20 and Clegg went wide right for five to the Patriot 18.
Murphy circled left end for the final 13 yards needed for the touchdown with 3:52 left in the second quarter. Michael Basha’s PAT kick was blocked leaving the Patriots ahead, 34-6.
Smith ran for his fourth TD of the contest with 1:52 left in the first half on a 27-yard scamper up the middle and Rogers’ PAT kick set the halftime score at 41-6.
With a running clock in the second half, neither team could score and the final score was Heritage 41, Lee 6.
Smith finished the night with 110 rushing yards and four touchdown on seven carries. Clegg led Lee rushers with 54 yards on 15 totes.
Lee’s season ended with a 4-6 record and ranked fifteenth in MAIS AAA play.
Heritage’s record is now 9-2.
