High school football Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders: No. 11 American Heritage

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Video: Early Contenders - American Heritage
Big expectations for first-year head coach.

Head coach: Pat Surtain

2015 record (MaxPreps national rank): 9-2, FHSAA 5A second round (No. 97)

Last decade: 97-27

Star power: OLs Tedarrell Slaton Jr. (30) and Kai-leon Herbert (219), CBs Marco Wilson (204) and Jarques McClellion (860), LB James Houston IV (960), DT George Ellis III (1,286), WRs Dontavius Butler (1,294) and Laress Nelson (1,624) and G Robert Hawkins (1,320)

Even more: Cornerback Patrick Surtain II (40) is one of the nation's top-ranked juniors.



See the American Heritage preseason Top 25 photo shoot gallery

Game to watch: American Heritage travels to defending Georgia 6A state champion Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.), Aug. 27.

Briefly: This is Surtain's first year as head coach. … Before Colquitt County, American Heritage hosts perennial national power Booker T. Washington (Miami) and after Colquitt County, hosts perennial national and New Jersey power Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) on Sept. 2. … Slaton has 21 offers as of May 11, but it looks like Florida State and Michigan are his top choices.

Look for a full preview of the Patriots on June 22.