Patterson takes lead role in multi-talented Heath defense
HEATH — Tannar Patterson usually is a tackling machine against the run for the Heath football team, but the junior linebacker dropped into pass coverage at an opportune time during the Bulldogs’ Week 5 win against Zanesville.
Patterson jumped up to grab an interception in the flat, stopping the Blue Devils, who had moved inside the 10-yard line during the third quarter. The Blue Devils did eventually tie the game, but the Bulldogs scored the final 20 points for a 40-20 victory.
“I’m going to be honest, I was thinking about that play in the first quarter, me getting an interception,” Patterson said. “I didn’t think it would come like that.”
It should not be a cause for alarm Patterson let his mind wander. Despite leading Heath in tackles with 73, he admittedly is not concerned with scouting reports.
“To be honest, I don’t do much for myself. I just go out and react to the plays,” Patterson said. “It’s just momentum. Once one of us makes a big play, the whole defense and offense feeds off it.”
The Heath defense carried its momentum into a 48-7 victory at Lakewood to open Licking County League-Cardinal Division play last week as Patterson racked up a team-high 10 tackles, including four for loss. After allowing two long TD runs to Zanesville’s Drew Doyle, the Bulldogs have locked in and allowed just a score on the game final's play against the Lancers.
As the Bulldogs (4-2, 1-0) make the trip to Utica (5-1, 1-0) for a big LCL-Cardinal matchup Friday, they are progressing just as coach Tim Ward had hoped. In back-to-back losses to Norwayne and Granville after a 2-0 start, Ward did not mind seeing his Bulldogs put in adverse situations.
“Our defense is showing we can stop anybody around at different times,” Ward said. “We are prone to give up the big play a little bit too often. We have to clean up a little bit of those big plays, but I like the way our defense plays. They play hard.”
What makes the Heath defense dangerous is the number of Bulldogs who can take over a game on that side of the ball.
Senior Kaden Green and junior Connor Corbett each have been prolific tacklers during their Heath careers, and seniors Paul Gould and Daylen McIntyre rack up tackles for loss on the edges, combining for 25 this season. Zanesville tested sophomore cornerback Quentin Sunkle in Week 5, and he responded to the challenge with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
“I have learned from our team we won’t give up to easily unlike a couple years prior,” Patterson said. “We will keep fighting. Especially that Norwayne game, I think that’s when we finally realized it.”
On top of the LCL-Cardinal implications, Friday’s game also is a key matchup between two Division V postseason hopefuls. In a strong Region 19, a victory for the Bulldogs could be imperative for their hopes of earning at least a top 8 seed and first-round home game.
“We may have rough spots, but once we come together, we can’t be stopped,” said senior Conner Toomey, Heath’s leading receiver. “Our team has had a good chemistry for so long. We will talk through it. We all each other’s backs.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Tannar Patterson takes lead role in multi-talented Heath defense
