Some years ago, Plantation American Heritage had a team that many felt was among the best in the state – if not the entire country.
When the Patriots scheduled St. Thomas Aquinas for a game at Dolphins’ Stadium, there was a lot of talk how this program was ready to join the elite – like the Raiders had become.
Prior to the matchup, there was a lot of talk how St. Thomas was about to be challenged by a new Broward County power. It never worked out.
The Raiders pasted the Patriots and beat them in every phase of the contest, 31-7.
Tonight, the two area powers will once again take center stage – with both rosters loaded with quality talent and playmakers – and both programs sporting a solid defense. Something has to give!
When these two teams kick it off at 8:00 (ESPN2) at St. Thomas Aquinas, it will be for pride and bragging rights.
Does American Heritage have the horses? They have proven this season that they can play with anyone – losing just once to Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 3-0.
Obviously, tonight’s game is huge for this program, but beating Miami Northwestern and getting back to the 5A state championship game is what this program is looking toward.
For St. Thomas, which dropped a 17-10 decision to longtime rival Cardinal Gibbons, this is a game to turn things back around. The objective this season is to win another 7A title, which certainly seems to be within reach.
Coach Roger Harriott and the Raiders opened with a 25-13 win against TRU Prep, dropped a 17-10 decision to Cardinal Gibbons before turning it back around last week with a 31-7 decision at DeLand.
Coach Pat Surtain’s team opened the season with a 7-3 win over Chaminade-Madonna, beat Clearwater (24-0), Jacksonville Bartram Trail (35-10), dropped a 3-0 decision to Jacksonville Trinity Christian before beating Venice (41-26) and rival Cardinal Gibbons (23-17).
Plantation American Heritage Patriots
HEAD COACH: Pat Surtain
2020 RECORD: 5-1
CLASSIFICATION: 5A
CHIEFS TO WATCH
2023 – Aiden Arias, LS
2022 – Belizaire Bassette II, DT
2021 – Brian Blades, S
2023 – Damari Brown, CB
2023 – Joey Colosi, C
2022 – Miguel Cedeno, OT
2021 – Vinson Davis II, Slot
2023 – Daemon Fagan, S
2023 – Mark Fletcher, RB
2023 – Reggie Foster, RB
2021 – Oronde Gadsden II, WR
2022 – Marvin Jones Jr., DE
2022 – Jaeden Kinlock, LB
2022 – Earl Little Jr., CB
2021 – Chris Maron, K
2021 – Connor Maron, S
2021 – Boogsie Silvera, S
2022 – Jacolby Spells, CB/WR
2021 – Chris Stumpo, OL
2021 – Ming Tjon, C
2023 – David Vadala, LB
2021 – Michael Watkins III, WR
2021 - James Williams, S
St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders
HEAD COACH: Roger Harriott
2020 RECORD: 2-1
CLASSIFICATION: 7A
RAIDERS TO WATCH
2021 – Carter Bass, WR
2021 - Allan Baugh, DL
2021 – Noah Botsford, P/PK
2021 - Bralon Brown, WR
2022 – Camden Brown, WR
2021 – Rohan Brown, OLB
2021 - Adetola Daranijo, DL
2021 - Marco Fugar, OL
2022 – Travis Gammage Jr., DL
2022 - Anthony Hankerson, RB
2021 - Gunnar Hansen, OL
2021 - Jaydon Hood, LB
2021 - Antonio Johnson, TE
2021 – Jordan Kolnick, LB
2021 – Caden Martinez, LB
2021 – Ja’Den McBurrows, CB
2021 – Maurice Newton, WR
2021 – Tyson Russell, DB
2021 – Boaz Saint Vil, G
2021 - Tyreak Sapp, DL
2021 - Joshua Sauickie, OL
2021 - Quincy Skinner Jr, WR
2022 – Jordan Smith, RB
2021 – R.J. Sorenson, DE
2021 – Antonio Spencer, WR
2021 - Isaiah Taylor, DB
2022 – Mason Taylor, TE
2021 - Dallas Turner, DE
2022 - Zion Turner, QB
TREMENDOUS GAMES THIS WEEKEND
Despite rain and storms that are expected to be in the area throughout the weekend, there are some key matchups to check out:
THURSDAY RESULTS
Miami Dr. Krop 33, Hialeah 9
Miami Edison 47, Norland 7
Miami Northwestern 17, Palmetto 7
Parkland Douglas 28, Coral Glades 3
Plantation 43, Piper 0
Westland Hialeah 24, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 0
FRIDAY’S GAME
Archbishop McCarthy at Cardinal Gibbons, 7
Boca Raton vs. Olympic Heights at Boca Raton High, 6
Boca Raton St. John Paul II (Boca Raton) at Everglades Prep, 7:30
Booker T. Washington vs. North Miami Beach, Traz Powell Stadium, 3:30
Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) at The King’s Academy, 7
Coral Reef at Coral Gables, 2
Coral Springs at Taravella (Coral Springs), 7
Dade Christian at Cardinal Newman, 7
Florida Christian at Coral Shores, 7
Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy at Evangelical Christian, 7
Hallandale at South Broward, 7
Hialeah Champagnat Catholic at Glades Day, 7:30
Jupiter vs. Suncoast at Jupiter High, 6
Mater Academy at Doral Academy, 7
Miami Carol City vs. Miami Killian at Tropical Park, 7:30
Miami Coral Park at Ferguson, 3:30
Miami Westminster Christian at Benjamin, 7:30
Monarch at Northeast, 7
McArthur at Miramar, 7
North Miami vs. Homestead at Harris Field, 7:30
Palm Glades Prep at St. Brendan, 7
Pompano Beach at Coral Springs Charter, 7
Ransom Everglades at Palmer Trinity, 4
St. Andrew’s at Somerset Canyons, 6
Somerset Silver Palms at Key West, 7:30
Somerset South Homestead at Somerset Academy (Pembroke Pines), 4
South Dade vs. Miami Southridge at Southridge Stadium, 7:30
South Miami vs. Miami Beach at Memorial Stadium, 7:30
Southwest Miami vs. Miami Jackson at Curtis Park, 7:30
South Plantation at Coconut Creek, 7
Stranahan at Blanche Ely, 7
True North at Avant Garde (Hollywood)
Varela at Miami Sunset, 3:30
SATURDAY
Dwyer vs. Palm Beach Gardens at Jupiter High, 6
Glades Central vs. Royal Palm Beach at Wellington High, 7
Belen Jesuit at Immaculata-La Salle, 7
Palm Beach Central vs. Atlantic at Boca Raton High, 6
Palm Beach Lakes vs. Forest Hill at Jupiter High, 2
Seminole Ridge vs. Park Vista at Wellington High, 10 a.m.
Spanish River vs. Santaluces at Wellington High, 2:30 p.m. vs
TRU Prep vs. Delray Atlantic at Boca Raton, 6
Village Academy vs. John I. Leonard at Boca Raton High, 2
West Boca vs. Boynton Beach at Boca Raton High, 10 a.m.
For the past 50 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.