Nico Battiata is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Heritage Academy High School for AZPreps365

Games like the one played Friday night between Heritage Academy and Trivium Preparatory aren't easy to come by in 2A action.

It was a thriller from start to finish, with both team's quarterbacks playing their hearts out and doing everything they could to lead their teams to success. 

Heritage Academy defeated Trivium Prep 50-40, making a statement by running the ball all over its opponent. Heritage Academy, who was playing without senior tight end and middle linebacker Raymond Grayson, made it a point of emphasis to make up for last week's loss against ALA West Foothill. 

"It was in the back of my mind the whole time," said Heritage quarterback Kaleb Burras when asked about last week's loss. 

Heritage Academy came out of the gates running the ball, scoring four rushing touchdowns to start the game. Trivium Prep also found success in the run game, running in five rushing touchdowns over the course of the game, and even ran in an incredibly well-called fake PAT play that resulted in a 2-point conversion. 

"We were gonna run the football," said Coach Anthony Johns of Heritage Academy. "That was our whole game plan. Minimal throws, run the football, running with our QB as a seventh offensive player in the run game, so absolutely, we were totally expecting to run the football."

Heritage Academy would never take its foot off the gas. The team went into halftime leading 30-13 after some incredible offensive and defensive plays that would only continue to grow the confidence that it showed throughout the whole game. 

However, coming out of halftime, Vern Wolfley IV and Trivium Prep had no plans of giving up, scoring a rushing touchdown and successfully converting a PAT attempt that would cut the lead down to 10.

Heritage Academy would only allow it to stay that way for a short amount of time though, as Burras led the team right down the field again to make the game 38-20 late in the third. 

All the work seemed to get to Burras as he got up limping after successfully scoring a 2-point conversion. Once Burras got to the sideline, he immediately collapsed, holding onto his right hamstring. It didn't seem to hinder him, though, as Burras immediately began running the ball on the first play. 

Trivium Prep continued to bounce back from whatever Heritage Academy threw at it, but it would seemingly never be enough. Wolfley IV scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 10 twice. Wolfley IV, on the other hand, seemingly was able to get whatever he wanted on the ground this game, and his coaches noticed. 

"Half of the calls were designed, but other times, messed up calls or someone didn't do the right thing, so I decided I had to book it, " said Wolfley IV. 

Wolfley IV, who rightfully seemed frustrated after another loss that has brought Trivium Prep to a 0-5 start on their season, also seemed motivated and looking forward to figuring out the best way to win his next game. Trivium Prep plays the Arizona Lutheran Coyotes next week, who are 5-0 to start its year. 

Heritage Academy (3-2) plays the Santa Cruz Valley Dust Devils next week, who have also started its season 4-1, to open up 2A Salt Region play. Heritage will look to continue to battle behind Burras and win this next week. 

With how connected the team is and how visible the chemistry is between all the players, it's almost guaranteed that this team will continue to win games and improve throughout the season. 

"We just try to do everything together, " said wide receiver Paul Soltero. "We try to build that special bonds that football teams have to have in order to win. So, we're basically brothers now, we do everything together."