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‘We can do it all’: Colleyville Heritage scores in all 3 phases of the game to defeat Richland

Heritage’s offense only accounted for 10 points in Friday’s 45-29 win.

Click or tap here for the box score

GRAPEVINE — Colleyville Heritage’s offense scored 10 points in its district opener against Richland on Friday.

So, how exactly did the Panthers (3-1, 1-0 District 4-5AI) come away with a 45-29 win? They scored on every other side of the ball: Defense. Special teams.

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“I’ve never been in a game like that before,” Colleyville Heritage coach Kirk Martin said. “It was nuts.”

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During Martin’ post-game speech, he repeated the word “unbelievable’' about four or five times. Quarterback Weston Smith thought the same thing. Colleyville Heritage had scored the rest of its points off two pick-sixes, two kickoff returns and a blocked field goal return.

“We can do it all,” senior Leon Covington said. Covington scored on two 90-plus yard kickoff returns.

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Martin puts a lot of emphasis on special teams. This isn’t the first time special teams has been one of the main reasons for Colleyville Heritage winning a game, or at least coming close. In the Panthers’ 30-27 loss to Euless Trinity two weeks ago, they recovered three onside kicks in a 24-point comeback, but ultimately fell short.

“No team I’ve ever been on has had a special teams like this,” Smith said.

Coming into its first district matchup against an undefeated Richland team was almost like deja vu. Last season, Colleyville Heritage opened district play against Richland (3-1, 0-1), which was also 3-0 at the time, and won in overtime 48-42. With Richland off to a similar start, Martin knew it would be a tough game.

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Stopping SMU pledge CJ Nelson on the run was one of the challenges. Nelson finished the game passing for 152 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He also rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

Three-star Oklahoma State pledge Dylahn McKinney picked off one of Nelson’s passes early in the game and ran it in for a touchdown to add some insurance to Colleyville Heritage’s lead. In the third quarter, Jordan Springer returned an interception for 65 yards to score.

Add on to that with Marquaveon Spencer’s 105-yard blocked field goal return and that’s how the Panthers pulled off the all-around team win.

Next up, Colleyville Heritage will hit the road to play Midlothian on Oct. 1 at Midlothian ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.

“Whether you lose or whether you win, there’s another one next week,” Martin said.

On Twitter: @nanavedia

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