Sure they lost big names. But don't think American Heritage doesn't have just as many waiting to fill in.
Photo by Stuart Browning
Clay never stood a chance.
American Heritage hung 40 points in the first half of the 2013 Class 5A title game en route to a 66-8 victory over Clay, capturing the school's first football state title.
Although Sony Michel, Broward County's all-time leading rusher, and Isaiah McKenzie, one of the most electric players in the country a year ago, have both moved on to the University of Georgia, the 2014 version of the Patriots is dripping with talent.
It starts with quarterback
Torrance Gibson, the nation's No. 1 athlete and No. 15 recruit overall in the
247Composite. Not only did he throw for 1,864 yards last season, but he gained 1,032 yards on the ground.
Joining Gibson in the backfield is senior
Travis Jackson. The team's third-leading rusher a year ago behind Michel and Gibson, Jackson averaged more than seven yards per carry. Super sophomore
Kyshaun Bryan opened eyes as a freshman and could explode onto the scene as a 10th grader.
Brandon Johnson, son of former Major League Baseball catcher Charles Johnson, and
Dredrick Snelson will fill the void left by McKenzie.
The offensive line will be big and talented. It features
Noah Bringas,
Brett Kahn and sophomore
Tedarrell Slaton, who could end up being the best of the bunch.
The defense graduates three all-state performers, yet the cupboard is hardly bare, as American Heritage features one of the nation's best cornerbacks,
Tarvarus McFadden. The 6-foot-3 senior is the country's No. 33 recruit in the 247Composite after registering 33 tackles as a junior. He's one of five returning defensive starters.
McFadden is also a star on special teams, demonstrating the potential to take any kickoff the distance.
Accompanying McFadden in the secondary will be
Deonta Fair and
Nick Peart.
The front seven is led by
Anthony Flory, who earned All-Broward honors a year ago after totaling 100 tackles.
Andre Jumper a linebacker, may also play with his hand on the ground some this fall. He had 72 tackles last fall.
Young players will need to develop quickly, as American Heritage's schedule provides numerous challenges.
Road games against St. Thomas Aquinas and Miramar will both be very difficult. Bolles, Apopka and American Heritage (Delray Beach) will also test the Patriots, who have put together a loaded schedule without leaving the Sunshine State.
High school football is hard to predict, but penciling American Heritage back into the Class 5A title game seems like a good bet. Its performance against Aquinas and Miramar will determine how high it can climb in the national rankings.
Local quote
"It would be very easy to believe this would be an 'off-year' at American Heritage after losing the likes of Isaiah McKenzie and Sony Michel among others. Something says that won't be the case. There is quite a bit of talent there and a number of them have already received offers. Heritage has eight players, according to our recruiting expert Dieter Kurtenbach, who could go FBS. Only St. Thomas Aquinas, with 16 players, has the most of any Broward County school. Face it. Heritage got a taste of success by winning it all in 2013. They're only going to want more. It should be interesting to see what comes of it in 2014."
— Ryan S. Clark, Sun-Sentinel (@ryan_s_clark)
Noah Bringas is a big reason for optimism at American Heritage.
Photo by Stuart Browning/IIIustration by Social Recluse Graphx
