Two dominant signal callers in Marcus Stracke and Brody Brenneman are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The American Heritage Stallions will head out on the road to challenge the Lakeland Christian Vikings at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The two teams are strolling into their contests after big wins in their previous games.
American Heritage had to skate by with only a three-point margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 41-point drubbing they dealt St. John Paul II Academy on Friday. The Stallions simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat the Eagles 47-6. The Stallions have beaten the Eagles the last three times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Eagles has come to flipping the script.
American Heritage's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jamar Dean, who rushed for 80 yards and one touchdown on only seven carries. Miles Rose also helped out as he racked up 136 receiving yards.
American Heritage's run defense was locked in: St. John Paul II Academy could only muster 1.9 yards per carry. The team can thank Carter Wasko for the heroic effort on defense: he. American Heritage didn't have any issues in that department, having averaged 8.5.
American Heritage's defense didn't let the opposing QB, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for five sacks. That dominant display was truly a team effort as five different players picked up one apiece. Another thorn in St. John Paul II Academy's side was Wasko, who picked up a sack, forced one fumble, and made 14 total tackles (3.0 for loss).
Meanwhile, Lakeland Christian took their matchup on Friday with ease, bagging a 49-7 victory over Evangelical Christian. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Vikings' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Florida football rankings (they are ranked 174th, while the Sentinels are ranked 389th).
American Heritage better focus on containing AJ Truedell and Devonte Howard as the pair were huge in Lakeland Christian's win. Truedell rushed for 146 yards and three scores on only ten carries, while Howard picked up 130 receiving yards and a pair of TDs. Howard's longest reception was for an impressive 65 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per catch total. Drew Cruz got in on the action as well, returning a kick for a touchdown.
Special teams was a major factor in the game for Lakeland Christian, racking up 13 points in total. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Cruz, who ran a kickoff back for a touchdown.
Lakeland Christian didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Joseph Bustos and Howard. Howard got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
American Heritage's record is now 6-1. As for Lakeland Christian, their record now sits at 5-2.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. American Heritage has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 175.6 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Lakeland Christian struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 157 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
American Heritage lost to Lakeland Christian on the road by a decisive 40-26 margin when the teams last played back in October of 2024. Thankfully for the Stallions, Killian O'Neal (who rushed for 157 yards and four touchdowns on only 15 carries) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.
