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Indianapolis, IN -
In 2008, the Heritage Christian football team had some unfinished business to take care of. The Eagles lost the 2007 Class 2A State Championship to Fort Wayne Bishop Luers. Ron Qualls came up with the perfect motto to get his kids focused. His team opened the season with a regular season game against Elwood at Lucas Oil Stadium, he wanted them to return Thanksgiving weekend for the State Finals. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and the Great Quest for Oil. The goal, to begin and end their season at the new home of the Colts.
Mission accomplished. Heritage Christian won the 2A title 17-14 over Lewis Cass. Always the motivator, Coach Qualls has a new motto for 2009, "This year we're pursuing the Trinity," Qualls said. It takes on dual meaning for the Christian School. Qualls mentioned the religious reference, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, while also acknowledging the Eagles goal to get back to the State Finals for the third straight year.
It will not be easy for the Eagles to replace a talented senior class, most notably, receivers Morgan Cook and Tommy Eggleston, but Qualls has his quarterback returning, Jackson Kirtley. "We did lose a lot of guys, but there is definitely a lot of guys capable of stepping up. All of them looked pretty good in practice, it's just a matter of coming Friday night under the lights seeing who performs," Kirtley commented. The senior threw 3,618 yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior.
A new addition to the coaching staff, Kevin Wright, should help the spark the H.C. offense as well. "It has added another dimension. Kevin Wright is such a humble guy, he just wants to see kids be the best they can be," commented Qualls. Wright won three state championships at Warren Central and returns to Central Indiana after most recently serving as an assistant coach Western Kentucky University.
There is quite a bit of talk about Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter moving up to Class 2A football and joining Heritage Christian's sectional. However, don't expect Coach Qualls to concern himself with a potential early post-season grudg match just yet. His Eagles are focused on the present, but make no mistake, they are always working towards bigger goals, both on and off the football field.
Mission accomplished. Heritage Christian won the 2A title 17-14 over Lewis Cass. Always the motivator, Coach Qualls has a new motto for 2009, "This year we're pursuing the Trinity," Qualls said. It takes on dual meaning for the Christian School. Qualls mentioned the religious reference, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, while also acknowledging the Eagles goal to get back to the State Finals for the third straight year.
It will not be easy for the Eagles to replace a talented senior class, most notably, receivers Morgan Cook and Tommy Eggleston, but Qualls has his quarterback returning, Jackson Kirtley. "We did lose a lot of guys, but there is definitely a lot of guys capable of stepping up. All of them looked pretty good in practice, it's just a matter of coming Friday night under the lights seeing who performs," Kirtley commented. The senior threw 3,618 yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior.
A new addition to the coaching staff, Kevin Wright, should help the spark the H.C. offense as well. "It has added another dimension. Kevin Wright is such a humble guy, he just wants to see kids be the best they can be," commented Qualls. Wright won three state championships at Warren Central and returns to Central Indiana after most recently serving as an assistant coach Western Kentucky University.
There is quite a bit of talk about Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter moving up to Class 2A football and joining Heritage Christian's sectional. However, don't expect Coach Qualls to concern himself with a potential early post-season grudg match just yet. His Eagles are focused on the present, but make no mistake, they are always working towards bigger goals, both on and off the football field.
