The Fredericksburg Heritage Eagles varsity football team celebrated their eighth consecutive win Friday night after blanking Kerrville Our Lady of the Hills (OLH) 54-0 at Shipman Field.
“It was great to get back at it again after a two-week lull,” Heritage Athletic Director and Head Coach Tim Shipman said. “The team has been working hard and pushing themselves.”
The Eagles (8-0) are ranked No. 3 in the latest Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Top 10 poll.
“I was happy with the intensity that we brought on both sides of the ball,” Shipman said. “We had a few rusty places here and there, but you could see they got back on the bull pretty quick.”
Heritage had a bye week during Fall Break and then last week’s game against San Antonio Jubilee Academy was cancelled due to a shortage of players on the Jubilee Academy roster.
“We are excited to be 8-0 and 1-0 in district play but the real work is ahead of us,” Shipman said. “Our best football is ahead of us. This team has not come close to reaching its potential.
They are playing great football, but their upside is out of this world. We are a young team and so it is so much fun watching and coaching these guys as light bulbs go on and they begin to play at a faster and smarter level.”
It was a special night for Shipman after posting his 200th win as the head football coach at Heritage.
“First off there is no way any of those wins happen without being surrounded by great people on and off the field,” Shipman said. “There is no way this happens without being blessed with great athletes, athletes that work hard on the field and in the classroom.”
Heritage began playing football in 2002.
“For the past 23 years, which is how long Heritage has been playing football, there have been great people and great athletes associated and surrounding the program,” Shipman said. “I am happy to get to be a part of starting and growing the program. It is really hard to get my head wrapped around 200 wins because there is so much work that goes into each game before, during and after, that when you think of doing that 200 times it seems a bit daunting.
“However, when you stay consistent, and you surround yourself with great people and not to mention a wonderful supportive wife and kids, then it is a sweet milestone.”
Heritage has two games left in the regular season.
“Now it’s time to go get win 201,” Shipman said. “I also have to give the glory to Jesus Christ for as we all know there is nothing good that we can do apart from Him and He has been and will continue to be a part of this program for years and years to come.”
Up next
Heritage will face San Marcos Hill Country at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 1, at San Marcos Hill Country.
“We have had this game circled since last year and you can bet that we will be fired up and functioning on all cylinders,” Shipman said. “This is a big, important game and we will be prepared better than we have been prepared for any game this season.”
San Marcos Hill Country defeated Fredericksburg Heritage last season for the district championship.
“They are well coached, and they have good athletes,” Shipman said. “Motivation and fire will not be an issue this week. This game will go a long ways in determining the district champion and the district champion gets to host the first round.
“This game has huge implications for the playoffs. We have been preparing for this game for a year.”