Seniors Travis Harrison and Logan McGrath anchor Heritage Hall defense

/> The younger players took their cue from the seniors. After an 0-3 start, Heritage looked nothing like a championship team. But the seniors never flinched.

The Chargers bounced back and earned another district championship. And in their two playoff wins, Heritage has only given up eight points.

"We’ve just been playing with more emotion, especially in the last couple of weeks,” McGrath said. "We’ve been challenging each other in practice, really going at it, and it’s bringing us together.”

Last year’s team had little obstacles to overcome en route to a 15-0 season and a Class 2A state championship.

This year couldn’t be any more different. From the slow start to the numerous injuries the team has had to overcome, Heritage has been tested just as much emotionally as it has been physically.

"In a way, this would be even more special,” Harrison said if the Chargers could repeat. "We had to rally the troops, but we’ve come together as a team at exactly the right time.”