Standouts from the Fruita Monument vs Heritage Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fruita Monument Wildcats traveled to Littleton to take on the Heritage Eagles in an exciting game that went down to the wire. The Wildcats led 19-9 going into the half before giving up 17 unanswered points in the third quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles had the lead with under two minutes left in the game before the Wildcats retook the lead around the one-minute mark. Heritage had one final possession to try and win the game but fell short, bringing the game's final score to 37-34 in favor of Fruita Monument.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive and defensive fronts for both teams should be reason enough for college programs to ensure both 4A programs are on the recruiting list. However, this article will focus on the skill players who stood out during the league opener.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Fruita Monument Wildcats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Amari Wilson","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fruita Monument","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wilson was the most dynamic player on the field last night. He is a do-all quarterback directly involved in all six of his team's touchdowns, rushing for five and throwing for one. His playing style makes him a perfect fit for Fruita Monument's run-heavy scheme. He made multiple throws that displayed his abilities as a passer, mixing perfectly with his skills as a rusher. Wilson was outstanding in last night's win, making him a must-know player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518d3df84eec"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson's go-to target was junior receiver <strong>Landen Phillips</strong>, who had multiple catches and the receiving touchdown for the Wildcats. Senior running back <strong>Andres Palafox</strong> is a name to circle for college scouts. He is a physical runner with a solid frame and an excellent blend of speed and power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense for the Wildcats was dominant for three out of the four quarters of the game. The defensive front did a great job of applying pressure, helping to create chances for takeaways. <strong>Shad Huddleston </strong>(2024) had an outstanding game as a hybrid outside linebacker, securing a first-half interception and forcing another in the second half after rushing off the edge and hitting the ball out of the QB's hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aidan Anderson</strong> (2024) played a solid game but made his presence known in the fourth quarter by coming downhill from the deep safety position and laying disruptive hits to ensure incompletions. <strong>Tatum Williams</strong> (2025) is a linebacker who did an outstanding job of being around the football on each play, displaying the type of hustle expected from a Mike backer when swarming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size">Heritage Eagles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1560303' first='Jett' last='Balika']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Heritage","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Balika is a speedy player with impressive athleticism and physicality. He has the ability to run between the tackles and exploit creases for tough yardage and the speed to get around the edge and make it a foot race. His versatility makes him a dangerous receiver, adding to his skills as a playmaker. Balika rushed for two touchdowns during his share of touches in the backfield, making him a player to watch as the season progresses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518d3df84fd4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luca Pesola</strong> (2024) is the other running back who shared reps with Balika. Pesola is an explosive runner with good speed and shiftiness, which enabled him to reach the end zone for a rushing score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806112' first='Kurt' last='Rossner']</strong> (2024) completed 13 of his 28 pass attempts for 159 yards, one touchdown to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283697' first='Camden' last='Jensen']</strong> (2026 TE), and two interceptions. He had a solid performance as a runner all night, showing that he has what it takes to rally his team in a fight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>Nick Long</strong> (2024), <strong>Lucas Madrid</strong> (2024), and <strong>Madden Luna</strong> (2025) had impressive performances as the featured linebackers for the Eagles. Madrid had ten tackles and a fumble recovery, Long was credited with a tackle for loss, QB hurry, and a forced fumble, and Luna finished with eight total tackles and a tackle for loss. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='547649' first='Tanner' last='Guthrie']</strong> (2026) is a talented safety who secured a fumble recovery and tallied nine total tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->