Heritage slows RB Franklin to top Chaminade
Patrick Surtain made no bones about it.
“We don’t care who we lose out there on the field, it’s a next man-up mentality around here and that’s what we got [Friday night],” said Surtain, the Plantation American Heritage coach.
Surtain spoke primarily of sophomore defensive back Daemon Fagan. Not even a starter, Fagan was forced into the game in the second quarter when starter Boogsie Silvera was ejected from the game.
And did he ever step up.
Fagan not only came through with a touchdown-saving tackle midway through the fourth quarter, but then a game-clinching interception with 2:05 left in the game as American Heritage edged Chaminade-Madonna, 7-3, in a defensive battle before a crowd of close to 500 at Chaminade’s Vince Zappone Field on Friday in Hollywood.
The crowd was a big story because, with Broward County loosening up it’s COVID restrictions during the week, it marked the Lions’ first game with fans in attendance. It was the season opener for Heritage while the Lions fell to 1-1 following a season-opening win over Champagnat last week.
“We’re deep in the secondary and deep on defense, and it’s next-man-up mentality. And that’s what we expect and got out of Daemon,” Surtain said. “He stepped up big time tonight. A talented kid and we look forward to him doing special things.”
The Patriots defense keyed on star Chaminade running back Thad Franklin, who is orally committed to the Miami Hurricanes, and held him to 32 yards on his first 12 carries before Franklin finally broke loose with a big run with 7:30 left in the game. Franklin appeared to be on his way to what would’ve been a 66-yard touchdown run that would’ve given his team the lead, but Fagan turned on the jets and chased him down from behind, diving to nudge him out of bounds at the 9-yard line.
A botched shotgun handoff by Chaminade quarterback Brady Kelly and running back Davion Gause on the next play left the ball on the ground, and Belizarre Bassette recovered for the Patriots.
After the Chaminade defense forced a three-and-out and a short punt, the Lions were back on offense again, but Franklin had to be helped from the field following an ankle injury. The Lions were then at Hertiage’s 38-yard line when quarterback Jaylon Tolbert dropped back and fired a deep pass down the middle that Fagan picked off, and returned 30 yards downfield to clinch the victory.
“I’m just out there doing what I can to help my team out there tonight and just glad I was able to make a few plays,” Fagan said. “I knew I had the angle on him when he broke loose down the sidelines, so I felt I could run him down, then on the pick I just read the eyes of the quarterback and knew he was coming in my direction.”
While Fagan certainly made two big plays, the rest of the Heritage defense was working hard all night as well, including Jamarcus Smith, who two sacks and eight tackles. Miami commit James Williams, who was playing a hybrid defensive back-linebacker position, terrorized Chaminade offensive lineman all night long, recording a sack and nine tackles, including four for losses and three of those against Franklin.
Heritage held Chaminade to just 155 yards of total offense and only 61 in the second half, which included Franklin’s long run and just two first downs.
“We knew who we had to stop coming in here tonight and just went out there and got after it,” said Williams, referring to Franklin’s final total of 83 yards on 14 carries. “It feels good to come out of here with a win tonight.”
After the Lions took a 3-0 lead on a short first-quarter field goal, Heritage got the only points it would need all night when quarterback Blake Murphy kept the ball on a read option around the right side and scored from 6 yards out 1:58 before halftime. It was the Patriots’ only long, sustained drive all night — an 11play, 65-yard effort that was kept alive when running back Jerry Dinkins, on fourth-and-1 at the Lions’ 16, barely made the first down by inches.
“We know [Franklin] is a heck of a football player, and he’s their bread and butter, so we preached all week long if you stop him, you stop them,” Surtain said. “We have some really good players on our defense and, with the exception of that one big play, they were up to the challenge and shut him down all night. To hold that team to three points is pretty remarkable.”
With all public schools in
South Florida still on hold and not playing football yet, Heritage and Chaminade will both hit the road next week. The Lions will travel to Fort Myers to take on Bishop Verot, and Heritage will travel to Clearwater to take on Clearwater High School.
CROSS-COUNTRY
Belen won its third consecutive major meet at the Bale-N-Trail Invitational in St. John’s on Saturday morning under heavy rain and extremely muddy conditions. The team scored 36 points in a field that included 12 teams.
Belen was led by Javier Vento, who finished second in the 5K in a time of 15:32. Teammate Adam Magoulas finished third with a time of 15:37. The Wolverines have beaten 52 teams across Florida this season. The team makes the trek to Lakeland next Saturday to compete at the Flrunners.com Invitational.