When and Where:
3A #1 Heritage Hall (0-0) vs. 2A #1 Millwood (0-0)
August 30 (Thu) 7:00 PM
L.W. Good Stadium
Livestream hhchargers.com/watch

Game Notes:
Heritage Hall and Millwood are two of the most successful programs in all of Oklahoma, both coming fresh off of State Championships last season. The two programs' success extends further than 2017, however, as they have combined for five titles since just 2014. The schools have combined to win their last 42 contests, each team impressively completing a perfect 14-0 campaign last year. Millwood was undefeated in 2016 as well, allowing the Chargers the opportunity to end an uncommon 28 game win streak. The Falcons' streak has been climbing up the state's all-time record list, now only ten victories behind Heritage's 38 game streak which stretched from 2014-2016. The Chargers' impressive feat is the sixth longest in Oklahoma high school football history. This matchup is loaded with talented and decorated senior leaders on both sides. Heritage Hall's senior class enters Thursday's contest with a career record of 40-1, an unbelievable 97% winning percentage, while Millwood's 2019 class begins their final season with an impressive 35-4 career record. Considering the prestige of each school and the matchup being the sole #1 vs. #1 matchup of the weekend in Oklahoma, all eyes will be on the Chargers.

When taking a deeper dive into the numbers, it is easy to see just how incredibly dominant both the Chargers and Falcons were in their respective 14-0 seasons. Millwood defeated their opponents by an average score of 52 to 5.6, not even letting up a touchdown per game. In their final seven games, the Falcons defense held the opponent scoreless six times, including five games in a row, and allowed just seven points during the entire stretch. On the other side of the ball, the Millwood offense was able to score 45 points or more in all but five games. Despite Milwood's success, the then-4A Chargers may have been even better. The Hall won every matchup by an average margin of 30 points and held their opponent to ten points or less in seven games.

Player Spotlight:
Millwood boasts some of the most prolific players in the entire state who were main staples in the Falcons' success last year and eventually garnered national attention over the summer. Running back Marcus Major Jr. had a tremendous 2017 season as he rushed for nearly 1,200 yards along with 23 touchdowns and will undoubtedly be a tough force to stop on Thursday. Listed at 6'0 and 195 lbs, Major has almost the perfect combination of power and speed. The Falcon running back has the ability to run right past or through an oncoming defender, forcing opposing defenses to center their game scheme around him. Major is widely considered to be the top player from Oklahoma at his position and has already committed to playing at the University of Oklahoma next fall, despite receiving offers from other blue blood programs like Alabama, Michigan, and USC.

Much of the Hall's attention may be on Major, but wide receiver De'Mariyon Houston is not to be taken lightly either. Houston battled injuries all throughout his junior year, but still managed to record 20 catches for 534 yards and seven scores. The wideout is noteworthy for his speed and agility, and may very well be the fastest player on the field in every game Millwood plays. His speed creates many big plays for the Falcons and gives their offense the threat of both a deep pass or the short game through Major. Houston's accolades include becoming the second ranked overall recruit in Oklahoma for 2019 and committed to play at the University of Texas earlier this summer.

Injury Report:
Unlike most of last season, the Chargers will begin this year with a bit of an injury problem. Heritage Hall has been known throughout the years to constantly be the most physically prepared squad every week with such productive conditioning programs and coaches, led by strength and conditioning coach Wesley Holloway. Because of this history, it will be an unfamiliar sight to see some of the Hall's key players on the sideline on Thursday, especially linebacker Connor Keith, who will be out with a broken right hand. Keith recorded 107 tackles, second most among returners in 2018, and played in all 14 games last season. Quarterback and cornerback Jackson Jobe is also dealing with hand issues and will be out of uniform as well. Fortunately for the Chargers, defensive back Colby Lewis appears to have recovered from his right ankle injury suffered in practice a few weeks ago and will be available against the Falcons. Lewis was forced to sit out multiple scrimmages leading up to the season opener.

Overview:
This year's season opener feels eerily similar to last year's when the Chargers squared off against the John Marshall Bears. Heritage will once again be going up against a vaunted opponent who exhibits an extremely dangerous offense with Division-I caliber players, traveling on the road to a tough environment, and sporting their all white uniforms. The Chargers seem to be the underdog yet again, despite entering the season as undefeated state champions. However, just like last year, Heritage Hall should have no reason to be afraid, as they too possess tremendous players along with possibly the best high school coaching staff in Oklahoma. Star running back Billy Ross Jr. returns for the Hall after running for nearly 1,400 yards and 22 touchdowns and will be a key cog in 2018. He also was a threat in the receiving game too, racking up 390 yards and four scores. Ross will definitely be heavily leaned on to produce for the Chargers' rebuilding offense. Heritage did lose Blake Adams, the three year starting quarterback whose name is now cemented all over the school's record books, but junior Will Dunn seems poised to fill in without a beat. Despite attempting just five passes in 2017, Dunn saw a lot of action his freshman year when Blake Adams was sidelined with an injury in the last week of regular season, providing him with much experience on the game's biggest stage. Defensive end Jaden McDaniel leads the charge for the Charger defense, a unit that looks to be stellar this year after securing its title as the best defense in 4A in 2017.

Thursday's contest features two high flying offenses and it would be a surprise to nobody if the game turned into a classic, high scoring shootout. The key for the Chargers to leave victorious is to control the Falcons' stars. Players as skilled as Major and Houston will make plays no matter what the defense does, however, it is important for Heritage to limit the production from the dynamic duo and force a different Falcon to win the ballgame. If the Chargers can do that, and take advantage of Millwood's shaky defense, then the Hall should be entering week two with an impressive victory over a #1 ranked opponent.

Written by Jake LeForce '19
Photography by Jake Steelman '19