No. 19 American Heritage scores 5 defensive touchdowns in rout of Coconut Creek

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STORY WRITTEN BY J. DARIN DARST, PRODUCER AT CBS SPORTS

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) coach and former Miami Dolphins defensive back Patrick Surtain knows a thing about defense, but even he doesn't remember seeing what happened in the District 16-5A opener against Coconut Creek Friday.

The Patriots scored five defensive touchdowns, including two by Will Allen III in the first half, as they cruised past the Cougars 48-6. American Heritage entered the night ranked No. 19 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Allen scored on a 3-yard interception return and then on the next series picked up a fumble and took it 70 yards for the score as the Patriots jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Coconut Creek's (0-4, 0-1) woes continued, as Willie Hampton picked off a pass at midfield and took it in for a touchdown. Patrick Surtain II picked up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for a score, giving the Patriots a 35-0 halftime lead.

"On defense it's all about running to the ball," coach Surtain said. "If you get 11 guys to the ball good things will happen. The good thing about it was we ran it into the end zone to help our offense out."

The Patriots offense didn't see much action in the first half, running 12 plays and having just 35 yards of offense. They did score on their first series – an 18-yard run by Abraham Alce – but they never got the chance as the defense dominated the first half.

"I was just flying around to the ball," said Allen. "The first one tipped up and I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time, and the second one, Tyson Campbell forced the ball out and I picked it up and ran it back for a touchdown."

The defensive scoring didn't stop, as Brandon Mincey picked off a pass and returned it 45 yards for the score to give Heritage a commanding 48-0 lead.