How Heritage Hills Can Return to Lucas Oil

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After losing to Indianapolis Chatard in the state finals in 2023, Heritage Hills bounced back to Lucas Oil in 2024, beating Fort Wayne Bishop Luers by a 38-15 margin and capturing a Class 3A state championship. The Patriots will move up to 4A in 2025, so the test will be a little bit more stouter, but make no mistake: this roster is strong. With two of their best players and Power 4 recruits coming back, there's every reason to believe they can wind up back at the top once again. Here's three reasons why they can repeat as state champions:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two Power 4 commits on the roster.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1178520' first='Tyler' last='Ruxer'] (Oklahoma) and [player_tooltip player_id='533140' first='Jett' last='Goldsberry'] (Ole Miss) are the cornerstones of the team, and the two talented prospects who committed to Power 4 programs last week are bound to have huge senior seasons. Goldsberry is a hard-hitting thumper at safety and will be back on a defense that locked down opponents from the get-go last season. Ruxer will be a spark on offense and a threat who could well exceed his 43 catches for 893 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key returning starters on offense.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peyton Gray, who is committed to Western Kentucky for baseball, is a tall and athletic receiver who will be a key threat in the passing game. Gray displays good burst, change-of-direction after the catch and can make defenders miss in space. Offensive guard Gabe Jackson, who also plays on defense, is a mauler in the run game: he is a great interior offensive lineman who is quick to pull, move, run and block and flashes a mean streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Key underclassmen returners.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep an eye on Tyce Winchell - a very athletic wide receiver on offense who can be electrifying with the ball in his hands. He can line up as a ‘wildcat' quarterback who can make plays with his legs, and is a legitimate threat to go the distance with the ball in his hands. He is also a very dynamic kick returner. Two more underclassmen to watch are Carter Webb and Aiden Fischer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->