Quarterback Alex Villanueva threw three touchdown passes, but it wasn't enough as Mountain Heritage hung on to beat the Vikings 42-34 in a Western Highlands 1A/2A game Friday night in Burnsville.

Mountain Heritage built a 35-14 lead after three quarters and hung on as Villanueva led a gallant charge in the final stanza. He hooked up with Andy Gonzalez on a 24-yard scoring toss, and he later found Hunter Sheilds on a 33-yard touchdown strike that made it 35-28 with 8:07 left. But a 19-yard touchdown run by Austin Rice of the Cougars with a little more than five minutes left staved off the comeback. 
Villanueva was 17-36 for 270 yards and four touchdown passes, but he also threw two interceptions. The loss leaves Avery High at 3-3 in league play; 7-3 overall. The Vikings wrap up regular-season play at home against Mitchell next Friday night.

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IN OTHER GAMES:

 ALEXANDER CENTRAL 19, SOUTH CALDWELL 14

HIBRITEN 35, FRED T. FOARD 3

FORBUSH 27, ASHE COUNTY 17

MOUTAIN HERITAGE 42, AVERY 34

SOUTH IREDELL 32, NEWTON-CONOVER 28

WEST CALDWELL 34, DRAIGHN 33

MAIDEN 41, BUNKER HILL 13

ASHEVILLE 37, NORTH BUMCOMBE 8

A.C. REYNOLDS 40, T.C. ROBERSON 3

STARMOUNT 66, ALLEGHANY 0

MITCHELL 28, MADISON 0

FREEDOM 42, CHASE 21

MOUNT AIRY 52, SOUTH STOKES 0

WEST WILKES 47, NORTH WILKES 14

BANDYS 39, EAST BURKE 19

ENKA 63, McDOWELL 27