American Heritage leaves it to the Joneses in victory over Cardinal Gibbons

A highly-regarded athlete prospect, American Heritage senior Miles Jones knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight.

Junior running back Tyler Jones was waiting for such an opportunity.

Each played a crucial role Friday night in making sure the Patriots continued to own its district rivalry series against Cardinal Gibbons by helping Heritage secure a 23-19 win over the host Chiefs.

Miles Jones, the No. 4 athlete prospect in the state by 247Sports.com and a Vanderbilt commitment, made a momentum-swinging play in the second quarter when he returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to put Heritage ahead for good.

Tyler Jones, who started the season third on the Patriots’ depth chart behind Jordan Johnson and Miles Jones, made an even bigger contribution by rushing for a team-high 115 yards on nine carries and scoring the game-clinching 30-yard touchdown with three minutes remaining.

“I just wanted to run hard man, and take advantage every time I get an opportunity,” Jones said. “I just think about my brothers and have to do my best.”

Heritage’s defense did the rest.

The Patriots (5-0), ranked No. 4 nationally by USA Today, extended its winning streak to 19 games, and held previously unbeaten Gibbons (4-1) to 178 total yards.

“Every win is important and we had to do what we had to do and play some defense,” said senior Andrew Chatfield, who had multiple tackles and a sack. “We watched little things they like to do. We messed up on some things, but we fixed it back up.”

American Heritage recorded four sacks and overcame three turnovers and 14 penalties for 133 yards to secure the victory.

Gibbons had six penalties for 55 yards.

Heritage coach Pat Surtain didn’t hold back when expressing his displeasure with the officiating.

“It’s a shame these people are incompetent man,” Surtain said. “We totally got hosed. No doubt about it. The refs have a hard job to do, but come on man. For those refs to come out here and call that [stuff], that’s highly disappointing.”

This story was originally published October 13, 2017 at 10:44 PM with the headline "American Heritage leaves it to the Joneses in victory over Cardinal Gibbons."