The added week of rest before last Friday’s MAIS Class 5A quarterfinal against Pillow Academy proved to be immensely important for Heritage Academy.

Facing the same team for the second time in three weeks, the Mustangs were fresh on the minds of the Patriots and vice versa.

That played into Heritage’s favor as the Pats rode the offensive success of running back Jay Stevenson to a dominant 48-24 win. 

Heritage Academy remains in the driver’s seat as the No. 1 seed in the postseason, but the road to a second straight state championship gets tougher this Friday against Oak Forest Academy (Louisiana), a rematch of last year’s Class 5A semifinal game.

“Once you win that first game, the excitement level builds and the opportunities just keep coming,” Heritage Academy head coach Lance Pogue said. “It’s about surviving and advancing right now, so this game is most important because of the opportunity it will give us moving forward.”

Throughout this season, Heritage Academy (10-1) has done a great job on the ground, led by Stevenson, who ran for six touchdowns in last week’s win.

It’s all about winning the line of scrimmage, and when the Pats can create holes for running backs to cut through and pick up bulk yardage play after play, that’s a recipe for success — but it’s something that will be difficult to come by on Friday.

The Yellow Jackets like to pound the ground themselves, creating a situation of two run-heavy offenses that will be looking at the neutral zone as the key to success.

“It’s so critical to continue to make first downs and keep the clock in your favor,” Pogue said. “Sometimes, like in Jay’s case, he can hit a big play and hit a home run for a touchdown. Those things are so big.”

“For us to have the success that we want to have, that has to continue, and there’s no secrets about it.”

Oak Forest comes into this game with an 8-3 record, having lost its first three games of the season but currently riding an eight-game winning streak.

The Yellow Jackets made quick work of Magnolia Heights in the quarterfinals with a 34-7 victory and did the same to Bayou Academy in the first round with a 35-6 win.

They’re peaking at the right time just like Heritage Academy is, creating such a highly anticipated matchup.

“They’re probably the biggest team we’ve seen all year as far as big linemen,” Pogue said. “As you advance in the playoffs, the competition rises, and that’s where we’re at in the semis.”

Last year, regardless of the win, is still last year, and the Pats are focused on the task at hand Friday, which can secure them a spot in the MAIS Class 5A title game for the second consecutive year.

It’s hard not to think about that right now for Heritage Academy, but with how this team has played on both sides of the ball this season, that’s a surefire recipe for success, no matter the opponent.