DAVIE, Fla. – The
American Heritage (Plantation) football program returned home with much confidence after almost pulling off an upset in a 31-24 loss to defending Class 2B state champion Bolles (Jacksonville) a week ago.
On Friday, the Patriots defeated North Broward Prep 26-10 in a battle between two of south Florida's top small-school programs. Heritage (2-2) got off to a quick 7-0 start after capitalizing on a North Broward Prep (2-2) fumble on their first possession. Freshman phenom
Sony Michel scored on a 5-yard run which gave Heritage the lead.
American Heritage High's Sony Michel.
Photo by Tom Lemming
After a punishing 15-yard run from the Eagle 34-yard line, Michel (5-11, 185 pounds) helped the Patriots take a 12-0 lead after scoring on a 3-yard run with 3 minutes left in the first half. Michel, arguably the top player in the Class of 2014, finished the contest with nine carries for 45 yards and two touchdowns before sitting out the second half with an ankle sprain.
The defense for American Heritage played an exceptional game, forcing a fumble, pulling in an interception and sacking Eagle quarterback Bryan Testorff twice. Testorff came into the contest completing 22 of 44 passes for 456 yards and six touchdowns, most of that to standout receiver A.J. Sebastiano. The two couldn't outlast the pesky Patriot defense.
With 1:20 left before halftime, Patriot junior quarterback
Sam Wilensky led a surgical five-play, 55-yard drive that resulted in a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver
Andrew Flory. Flory helped his team take a 18-3 lead at the half.
The Patriots benefited from an 80-yard kick return from running back
Isaiah Mckenzie with a 2-yard touchdown by freshman running back
Henry Bussey to open the second half.
After a Patriot fumble, the Eagles showed signs of life when Terstorff connected with Sebastiano from 18 yards out. Sebastiano finished the game with seven catches for 80 yards and the score. Despite the quick spurt, North Broward Prep couldn't muster any consistency on offense against the Patriots.
American Heritage will play last year's Class 3A state runner-up Belen Jesuit (Miami) on Friday, while North Broward Prep will travel to face Florida power Pahokee, also on Friday.
