Colleyville Heritage clicks on all phases of the game, turns back upstart Frisco Emerson

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FRISCO — In the lead-up to his team’s bi-district playoff matchup against Frisco Emerson, Colleyville Heritage head coach Kirk Martin had kickoff returns in the back of his mind.

Martin said Emerson, the District 3-5AII runner-up that went 9-1 during its first varsity regular season, has prolific returners. Ones who made him worry.

But that was all for naught on Friday night at Ford Center in Frisco. Heritage stuffed Emerson as far back as the 10-yard line on some returns during its 35-14 win. It will play Abilene Wylie next week in the area round of the UIL 5A Division II playoffs.

“Our special teams were incredible tonight,” Martin said.

And they showed up early. After senior quarterback Weston Smith connected with junior wide receiver Luke Ullrich for a 36-yard touchdown on fourth-and-13 to put Heritage up 7-0, John Sluder blocked Emerson’s punt after a three-and-out. He recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, and just like that Heritage led 14-0 with 7:59 to go in the first quarter.

It looked like the makings of an early blowout.

“And then, you know, we kind of had a lull for the rest of the half,” Martin said.

Emerson scored its first touchdown midway through the second quarter on a 33-yard pass from sophomore quarterback D.J. Shelton to sophomore wide receiver Jayson Williams. Soon enough, Emerson had tied the game at 14 with a 1-yard run from sophomore quarterback Mike Molstad two minutes before halftime.

In the locker room, Martin told the players they needed to settle down on offense. That message, which he also addressed to himself, worked. Heritage scored three touchdowns after the half, with two coming in the fourth quarter.

Smith threw for 214 yards and four touchdowns to one interception. Ullrich caught three of Smith’s touchdowns and put up 80 yards on six receptions.

“[Our connection] is awesome,” Smith said. “It’s developed this whole offseason coming into now … and it’s really been flourishing recently.”

The senior quarterback is one of seven returning starters from last year’s Heritage team that went 9-1 during the regular season. Heritage advanced to the regional semifinal, which it lost to Mansfield Summit.

He said it was his first year playing in the playoffs, so the run was a learning experience for him. Smith hopes to spread that experience to a young team unfamiliar with the stage.

Emerson’s loss ended what was an unprecedented inaugural varsity season for the program, ranked 13th in the area.

Before Heritage, Emerson’s sole loss of the season came to Argyle, the No. 1 5A Division II team in the state. Argyle won 24-10.

Heritage joined Argyle as one of two teams to hold Emerson to two touchdowns or fewer.

“Defense was unbelievable,” Martin said. “To hold that team to 14 points is incredible. They’re explosive.”

Playing well in all phases of the game kept Heritage alive in the playoffs. Keeping warm in the shelter of Ford Center on a frigid night was another treat.

“I love practicing in our indoor and then being able to play in one with no wind, perfect 70 degrees. It was awesome,” Smith said. “I love this place.”

On Twitter: @t_myah

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