In an unforgettable 8U Championship showdown, HEIR emerged victorious over the Tac City Bolts with a hard-fought 25-20 victory, capturing the Northwest Premier Junior Football League title. This back-and-forth battle kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams displayed grit, explosive plays, and critical defensive stops until the very end. Both offenses traded big plays, but HEIR’s balanced attack and resilient defense proved decisive, sealing their championship win.
Tac City opened the game with possession after recovering HEIR’s onside kick attempt. Running back Amir Thomas found initial success, but HEIR’s defense, led by Marvin Marshall and Da’Vion Redding, quickly tightened up. Redding made a crucial stop, tackling Thomas for a 2-yard loss. Although Thomas gained some yards back, HEIR’s defense forced Tac City to turn the ball over on downs at HEIR’s 25-yard line.
On HEIR’s first drive, Alijah Nelson quickly made an impact, breaking loose for a 30-yard run to the Tac City 45-yard line. But just as HEIR was building momentum, Tac City’s defense struck back with a game-changing play when Stevie Lovelace recovered a HEIR fumble at midfield, stopping the drive. Thomas capitalized with a 15-yard run, setting Tac City up in HEIR territory. A face mask penalty against HEIR advanced Tac City to the 14-yard line, and Tyce Jones punched it in from two yards out for the game’s first touchdown. Thomas converted the PAT, giving Tac City a 7-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the half.
HEIR responded with precision. Nelson broke off a 31-yard run on HEIR’s first play of the next drive, pushing the offense deep into Tac City’s half. Marcus Graham Jr. added a 13-yard run, and HEIR moved to the 10-yard line. Nelson then powered through for an 8-yard touchdown run. With Alijah Rooter-Hart’s successful PAT, HEIR tied the game at 7-7 with 3:58 left in the second quarter.
Tac City looked to regain the lead, with Thomas breaking free for a 20-yard run to HEIR’s 29-yard line. HEIR’s defense, however, wouldn’t give up without a fight. Appolo Neloms made a shoestring tackle on Thomas to prevent a touchdown, while Redding and Marshall pressured Tac City’s backfield, ultimately forcing a turnover on downs. HEIR’s final drive before halftime featured a 25-yard breakaway by Nelson, but time expired before HEIR could score, sending the teams to halftime tied 7-7.
The second half saw both defenses ramp up their intensity. HEIR began with the ball, but tackles for losses by Tac City’s Jonah Smith and Londyn Rush pushed them back. Graham salvaged the drive with a 24-yard run that brought HEIR to midfield. Nelson kept HEIR moving forward, breaking free for a 20-yard run to the Tac City 3-yard line. Graham finished the drive, scoring on a 3-yard run to give HEIR its first lead at 13-7 with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.
Tac City answered immediately. On their first play after the kickoff, Thomas sprinted downfield for a 49-yard touchdown. His successful PAT pushed Tac City ahead 14-13 with just over a minute left in the quarter.
But the momentum shifted yet again as HEIR’s offense returned to the field. Nelson took the first handoff of the fourth quarter and dashed 41 yards for his second touchdown of the day, reclaiming the lead for HEIR at 19-14. Tac City responded quickly, with Thomas breaking away on a 43-yard touchdown run on Tac City’s next play. Though the PAT attempt was unsuccessful, Tac City led 20-19 with 9:42 left in the game.
HEIR regrouped and executed a disciplined drive. Nelson gained five yards on the first play, and Graham fought hard for another five, setting up HEIR at Tac City’s 41. Nelson then delivered again, breaking free for a 21-yard run to the Tac City 22. HEIR continued to push forward, with Graham moving the chains with a short gain. Then, quarterback Appolo Neloms surprised Tac City with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Ace Jenkins, who slipped past defenders for the go-ahead score. Though the PAT pass fell incomplete, HEIR had reclaimed the lead at 25-20 with just 6:27 left on the clock.
Tac City looked to answer one final time. Starting from their own 25, they were met with HEIR’s unyielding defense. Satiacum-Abdullah and Redding led back-to-back tackles for losses, pushing Tac City into a 3rd-and-16 situation. Tac City attempted to draw HEIR offsides with a timeout, but HEIR held its ground. On 4th-and-long, HEIR’s defense swarmed Thomas for another loss, ending the drive.
A bad snap on Tac City’s punt attempt handed HEIR the ball back at the Tac City 12-yard line with just over four minutes remaining. Tac City’s defense held firm, with a critical 11-yard tackle for loss by Tac City’s defense pushing HEIR back on fourth down. But Tac City’s final possession was thwarted by two bad snaps, the second of which was recovered by Marshall at the 9-yard line. HEIR then took a knee in victory formation, clinching a thrilling 25-20 win.
In a game filled with thrilling plays and momentum shifts, HEIR’s balanced attack, key defensive stands, and timely passing secured their victory. HEIR’s TAlijah Nelson finished the game with 12 carries for 203 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team, while Tac City’s Amir Thomas finished the game with 156 yards and three touchdowns, as both teams left everything on the field in one of the season’s most exciting games.
Key Performances
HEIR Offense:
• Alijah Nelson: Led the offense with two touchdowns on runs of 8 and 41 yards, totaling 203 rushing yards.
• Marcus Graham Jr.: Added a critical 3-yard touchdown, helping maintain HEIR’s momentum.
• Ace Jenkins: Scored the game-winning touchdown on a 22-yard pass, securing the win in the final minutes.
• Appolo Neloms: Connected with Jenkins for the go-ahead 22-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Tac City Offense:
• Amir Thomas: Outstanding performance with 156 yards rushing and three touchdowns, including runs of 49 and 43 yards; also converted a PAT.
• Tyce Jones: Scored Tac City’s opening touchdown on a 2-yard run in the second quarter.
HEIR Defense:
• Marvin Marshall: Played a vital role with key tackles and recovered a late fumble to help secure HEIR’s victory.
• Da’Vion Redding: Made multiple tackles for losses, keeping Tac City in difficult downs.
• Amias Satiacum-Abdullah: Helped preserve HEIR’s lead with critical tackles, especially in the fourth quarter.
