News
Patriots finish the job, win first state title in 24 years
INDIANAPOLIS - The modern-day Heritage Hills Patriots players have heard about the 2000 state championship team since the first time they strapped on shoulder pads.
Now, the next generation of Patriots will listen to gridiron tales about the newest immortals from Spencer County.
A Class 3A state runner-up in 2023, the second-ranked Patriots (14-1) returned to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday afternoon and finished the job during the 52nd annual IHSAA football state finals, defeating Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 38-15, for Heritage Hills’ second state title overall and first in 24 years.
“That is insane. I wasn’t even alive. I’m only 16,” Heritage Hills junior quarterback Jett Goldsberry joked. “It’s just crazy to be able to do that for our program and our history.”
Class 3A State Championship
Heritage Hills 38, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 15
Goldsberry attempted to achieve the feat in 2023 as a sophomore starter, while competing in the program’s fourth state finals appearance all time and first since 2019.
However, Goldsberry and the Patriots lost to the storied Indianapolis Bishop Chatard Trojans, 35-7, like the 2019 team, which fell to Chatard 34-3. The 2004 Patriots lost in the 3A title game against Andrean, 21-14.
“Winning this is everything. We’ve come back three times since (2000), and we hadn’t been able to do it. They’ve been talking about the 2000 team our whole lives and how good they were, but what about the 2024 team? Now, we’ve written our own history,” Heritage Hills senior linebacker Parker Hart said.
The Patriots ended their streak in dominating fashion during their third state finals appearance in six years. Heritage Hills rushed for five touchdowns, which tied a 3A state finals record, and scored on six of its eight full possessions, beginning on its second drive.
Goldsberry kicked off a string of three consecutive drives ending by rushing scores with a 73-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play, 82-yard series.
The dual-threat playmaker finished with 177 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns, measuring 73, 24 and 3 yards.
Senior running back Hunter Meredith rushed for 177 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Meredith’s first, a 33-yard rushing touchdown, put the Patriots ahead 14-0 after the first quarter.
Meredith’s second rushing touchdown, spanning 2 yards in the fourth quarter, gave Heritage Hills its largest lead at 38-7.
“Wanting to get back here and getting back here are two different things. This program has been around for 54 years, and this is our fifth time, so it doesn’t happen every year,” Heritage Hills coach Todd Wilkerson said. “We looked at our sectional this year with (Evansville) Mater Dei, (Evansville) Memorial, Gibson Southern and Southridge, so it was just about let’s be playing well enough to try to win our sectional and see what happens. After that they really believed in themselves even more and took off.”
The Patriots had to overcome a grueling sectional field prior to reaching the state finals, which sharpened their focus this state tournament.
Heritage Hills beat No. 7 Gibson Southern, 35-18, in the sectional opener before toppling top-ranked Evansville Memorial, 38-24, in the sectional final.
Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (10-5), the 2A state champion in 2023, was aiming for its 13th state title overall in program history and first in 3A after moving up due to the IHSAA success factor.
However, Heritage Hills rushing offense and its eighth-best defense (9.43 points allowed) in the state snared an interception by junior Dalton Pledger and a forced fumble and fumble recovery by junior Tyler Ruxer.
Both turnovers were converted into 10 points, including a 25-yard field goal by junior Carter Payne as time expired at halftime to put Heritage Hills ahead 24-7.
Ruxer, one of five two-way starters, hauled in Goldsberry’s longest pass completion at 41 yards that set up his quarterback’s second rushing score in the first half. Goldsberry completed 2 of 7 pass attempts for 71 yards and logged eight total tackles as a safety. Hart led the defense with 11 tackles.
“This means everything, especially after coming here and losing last year, not getting it done, coming up short. That sting of being so close, we kept it with us this entire year, so to get rid of that is amazing,” Hart said.
The Patriots efficiency on third down (4 of 9) and 8.5 average gain per play led to 399 yards in total offense compared to Bishop Luers’ 313.
The Knights had more first downs 20-16 and won the time of possession battle (25:40-22:20), but the Patriots’ 2-for-2 fourth-down conversion success and ability to sustain drives put them in control.
“I think we just needed to get a big play, get the jitters out and then defensively to find their legs a little bit. We settled in and did what we did,” Wilkerson said. “We’ve been an explosive offense with Goldsberry and Ruxer, (Peyton) Gray and Meredith on the outside. They’ve all made big plays. When you get those big plays going, and we still have the capability to grind it out with our big ‘old line as well, it’s a good thing to have.”
The same can be said for claiming the second team state title in school history.
“Obviously, coming here last year and getting destroyed, and then coming all the way back through that gauntlet of a sectional. We went in there and took care of business and kept going,” Goldsberry said. “It just means everything to get back and finish it out. It is just awesome to be here and do it for our fans, do it for that 2000 team.”
Class 3A State Championship Records
Team
Most Rushing TDs (Tied): 5 by Heritage Hills vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 2024
Parker Hart of Heritage Hills selected Mental Attitude Award recipient
During the awards ceremony, Parker Hart of Heritage Hills High School was announced by the IHSAA Executive Committee as the recipient of the Blake Ress Mental Attitude Award in Class 3A Football.
The award is annually presented to a senior who is nominated by his principal and coach, and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability during his four years of high school.
Parker ranks among the best students in his senior class with a 4.1 GPA and will graduate in May with Core 40 and Academic and Technical Honors. He has been an active leader amongst the students in school spirit and pride of Heritage Hills.
Parker’s athletic achievements include moving to the offensive line and helping lead the Patriots offense to over 7,000 rushing yards the past two seasons while serving as a team captain.
He also wrestles and has been a sectional champion, regional champion, two-time semi-state qualifier, and a state finals qualifier.
He is the son of Jeff and Leah Hart of Chrisney, IN. He is currently undecided on where he will attend college but aspires to gain a football scholarship while studying Accounting.
The award is named in honor of Commissioner Emeritus Blake Ress, who served as the IHSAA’s seventh commissioner from 2000-11.
The Indianapolis Colts, the presenting sponsor of the state tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Heritage Hills High School’s general scholarship fund in the name of Parker Hart.
