Sophomore Fagan becomes unexpected hero in victory

Big tackle, late pickoff seals the deal for Patriots

HOLLYWOOD — Daemon Fagan is not a starter in American Heritage’s vaunted defense.

But the sophomore defensive end got a chance to show his ability after starter and senior safety Boogsie Silvera was ejected from Friday’s game against Chaminade-Madonna. Fagan made the most of his opportunity, making two key plays on defense to help the Patriots secure a 7-3 victory over the Lions in Hollywood.

“To be a 10th grader, he played a hell of a game,“Heritage coach Pat Surtain said. ”Stepped in when one of our starters was out, and hey, the sky is the limit for that kid. He’s smart, he listens and he’s a playmaker. Looking forward to what he could do in the future.”

The first big play kept American Heritage from giving up the lead. The Patriots kept Lions star running back Thad Franklin in check for most of Friday night, but with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, he finally got loose and made a beeline for the end zone.

Franklin had no Heritage defenders in front of him, but Fagan caught up to Franklin as he got to the red zone, tackling him at the 19-yard line and stopping what would have been a go-ahead touchdown.

“For him to run him down and get Thad on the ground — not many people can do that,” Surtain said.

The second big play came later in the fourth quarter, when Chaminade was making one last scoring attempt with about two minutes left. Lions quarterback Jaylon Tolbert heaved a pass to the end zone, but he found only Fagan, who intercepted the pass to seal the game.

“It wa s a b i g t h i r d down,” Fagan said. “We needed a pick. I saw the receiver put his eyes on me. I knew he’s getting the ball and he was trying to see what I was going to do.

“I had my eyes on him, played my defense, tracked the ball in the air and got it.”

Offense was at a premium Friday night. After rushing for 171 yards in Chaminade’s season-opening win, Franklin rushed for 83 yards, 57 of which came on the run on which Fagan caught up to him.

“That was the main g o a l ,” safety Ja m e s Williams said, “and we accomplished it.”