Hickman finds success

Through Hickman’s first six games, the keys to success appear to be running back Rob Heath not committing turnovers.

Turnovers have put Hickman opponents at an advantage in field position much of this season. That advantage that has been too much to overcome, even for a Hickman defense that is becoming more dominant every week. Even the greatest defenses will surrender points when opponents take possession in field-goal range, and that has happened to Hickman in its four losses this season.

As for Heath, he has had monster games in Hickman’s two victories. He racked up 189 rushing yards in Hickman’s win over Francis Howell on Sept. 22, and on Friday night he had 145 rushing yards and four touchdowns as Hickman defeated Vashon.

“Rob Heath’s a good runner, I’ve been telling everybody that from day one,” Hickman coach Jason Wright said. “We just haven’t been able to showcase his ability at home. He continues to get better as the game progresses.”

Friday night’s game was Hickman’s first home victory this season and Heath talked about Hickman’s focus on having a successful rushing attack in order to get the victory.

“We all (the offense) talked before the game and we said we were going to try to get it done this week, get a running game started,” Heath said. “And we did.”

A successful Heath leads to less pressure on the Hickman defense.. Pressure was the hallmark of Hickman’s defense against Vashon. That pressure is led by junior defensive end Chris Mason.

“That’s C-Mase. This is his game,” Wright said. “We’ve challenged him to start playing the run better, but his game is to play the pass (rush the quarterback). He’s so quick off the ball. It is hard for a tackle to set up. He uses his hands. He’s got great moves.”

Wright points to Mason’s relentlessness as his most successful attribute.

“He’s got heart,” he said. “He’s got a motor that you like in kids.”

The 35-0 blowout of Vashon gives Hickman a great building block going into its showdown with No. 1 Rock Bridge next Friday at Faurot Field. But Wright is focused on his team’s performance.

“Rock Bridge is a great team, everybody knows that,” Wright said. “But we got to take care of Hickman. We got to do the things Hickman-like and get ourselves better.”