That was the same Woodbury team that beat Heights twice last season, once in the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs. And Heights had a 0-10 streak going against Woodbury, having last beaten the Thundering Herd, 7-6, in 2000.
"I think people are sleeping on us," said Heights senior receiver Kahson Bounds, who caught two touchdown passes in the second quarter, a 33-yarder from Nick Lundholm and a 35-yarder on an option pass from Dante Pinckney.
"We hadn't beaten Woodbury in a long time, and we're feeling good about our team."
The difference in this one was up front, where Heights' offensive line was a tower of strength. That offensive line consisted of tackles Keenan Jones (6-foot, 220 pounds) and Jeff Breyer (6-3, 230), center Ryan Thompson (5-9, 235), and guards Julian Feggins (6-1, 220) and Alex Thompson (6-3, 230), along with tight end Darrien Pierce (6-1, 215).
"They have good size and good athletes," said Woodbury junior quarterback-defensive back Anthony Averett, who threw one touchdown pass and rushed for 99 yards on 8 carries, including a 72-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown gallop, long after the game was decided.
Averett is among the best players in South Jersey, but Heights, led by defensive back Dominique Irons, did a good job flying to the ball against him.
Bounds scored his two touchdowns in less than a minute's span late in the first half to give the Garnets a 20-7 halftime lead. When Hasson Reddick scored on a 23-yard run midway through the third quarter to increase the lead to 27-6, any thoughts of a Woodbury comeback had dissipated.
This is drastically different from last year's 34-0 regular-season loss to the Thundering Herd.
Another thing different is the addition of junior running back Brandon Joyner, who opted not to play football last year to concentrate on basketball.
