Smith takes reins at QB for defending champ Heritage

PLANTATION — With a perfect 14-0 record, a top-10 national ranking and the program’s third state title in four years, it would be easy for American Heritage to keep reminiscing about last year’s stellar campaign.

But for a program where state championships have become the expectation, 2016 is in the past.

“We live by the motto, ‘Last year is last year,’ ” said coach Patrick Surtain. “It’s an entirely new group and they’re looking to leave their legacy. We lost 22 seniors last year, but I think we have some guys who are hungry and willing to go the distance for us.”

Among the positions that need to be filled is under center where the Patriots are seeking a replacement for Jason Brown, who threw for 14 touchdowns and rushed for 576 yards and seven scores last season. Fortunately, the Patriots have a signal caller on the roster who already has plenty of starting experience playing for American Heritage.

Enter Cam Smith, who spent the past two seasons as the starting quarterback at American Heritage-Delray. The 6-foot-4 senior transferred to the Plantationbased school in the spring and has earned the starting job after edging out sophomore Edwin Rhodes.

While Smith is the starter, both players are splitting reps in practice and Surtain is high on Rhodes’ potential, who he says will be a “special player.” Still, Smith will be the guy when the Patriots hit the field and Surtain is eager to see what the senior can do.

“He put his head down and got acclimated with the guys and how we do things around here,” said Surtain. He’s a very cerebral quarterback and really studies the game. He has tremendous athleticism and we look forward to him having a great year.”

Smith will have plenty of targets to work with as Miles Jones, Marcus Lodge, Josh Alexander and Beau Johnson form the nucleus of a strong unit.

The Patriots wideout core might also get a boost from the defensive side of the ball in five-star cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Tyson Campbell. Surtain said he’s planning on trying to use the two, who focused primarily on defense last year, out wide five to 10 times per game.

Surtain II, who doubles as the team’s punt returner, is excited about that possibility.

“I try to make the best plays possible when the ball is in my hands, so I always love when the ball is in my hands,” said Surtain II, rated the fourth overall prospect in the nation by 247 Sports. “I think I’m a great route runner and I’ve got great hands. Whatever you need, I’ve got it.”

wdusenbury@ sunsentinel.com or Twitter @dusereport