Heights rolls past DeSoto

One week ago, after a tough loss to Highland, Wisconsin Heights football coach Connor Herrling challenged his team. “Just go and win out,” Herrling told his Vanguards. Last Saturday afternoon, Heights certainly listened to Herrling’s message. Quinn Payne threw four touchdown passes, Cody Blicharz had two rushing and two receiving TDs and the Vanguards routed host DeSoto, 52-12. Heights improved to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the Ridge and Valley 8 Conference. DeSoto fell to 2-2, 1-2. “I told the guys going into the week that we will not lose,” Herrling said. “I have said this from the start — I believe our team should be 4-0 and frontrunners for conference. That’s not just me talking as their head coach. That’s me just seeing the talent we have and what we should be. Well, we are that team.” And the Vanguards showed that against DeSoto. Payne completed 9-of-13 passes, threw for 300 yards and the four TDs. Blicharz was a terror, rushing for 225 yards on 23 carries (9.8 average) and two touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 134 yards and two TDs. Reed Adler had a gigantic night with four receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns.  John Reader had 12 tackles and two sacks, Damien Henning had 10 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble, and Evann Cribbs had two interceptions. “Everything is falling into place like we wanted,” Herrling said. “The offense and defense were rolling. We couldn’t be stopped on both sides of the ball.  “These guys had the confidence and we need that to keep going through the next month. Some of these guys could have taken hell on with a squirt gun. The confidence was through the roof. I loved it. Like I said last week, we win out from here.” Heights will try continuing its winning ways when it hosts Kickapoo/La Farge Friday at 7 p.m. And Herrling wants to see more of what he did against DeSoto. “These guys are going to win out,” Herrling insisted. “I know this team, I know the bond they have, I know how much they love the sport of football.  “These guys want it bad, the coaches want it bad. What I see with this team is like seeing a nice T-bone steak with all the trimmings on it still. We are a complete team.”