Heritage-Delray sweeps past Gardens, Piper
DELRAY BEACH American Heritage-Delray was ready to send a message on Friday night.
The Stallions, who have captured three state championships in the past decade, were coming off a shockingly down season in which they finished 2-7 against a brutal non-district schedule. After a long offseason, American Heritage had the opportunity on Friday night to prove last year was a fluke with two matchups against Class 8A playoff teams in the Kickoff Classic jamboree.
While it was just a preseason showing, the Stallions look like they’re back.
In Friday’s jamboree, American Heritage beat Palm Beach Gardens 14-7 and then blanked Piper 19-0 to finish the night perfect. Palm Beach Gardens beat Piper 20-0 in the final contest. Each ‘game’ was a twoquarter half.
“Our kids showed a lot of heart,” said Stallions coach Keith Hindsley. “They prepared hard in the offseason and prepared themselves for a battle like this.”
American Heritage junior John Dunmore put on show in his Stallions debut. The Florida commit, who transferred from Cardinal Gibbons in the offseason, filled in at quarterback and threw three touchdowns to lead Heritage past Piper. Starting quarterback Ryan Rizk suffered a shoulder injury in the first game and sat for the rest of the night. Coaches said Rizk suffered only a bone bruise.
Dunmore also proved himself to be a major playmaker at free safety, making a number of big plays against Palm Beach Gardens. The junior helped seal the team’s win with a backbreaking interception late in the contest.
“I always knew I had in it me,” said Dunmore. “I always knew I was versatile. I just went out and showed it.”
In the first contest, Gardens took a quick 7-0 lead on its opening drive after David Studstill connected with Armani Hayes for a 21-yard touchdown. The Stallions responded on the ensuing possession as Dalis Smalls scored on a 10-yard run to even the game up. Heritage later took the lead on a 10-yard TD pass from Rizk to Micangelo Joseph.
Following their opening game win, the Stallions had no problem dispatching Piper. The Bengals, who finished 9-2 last season and reached the Class 8A regional quarterfinals, couldn’t find any offensive rhythm versus the Heritage defense.
The Stallions looked much improved after Hindsley overhauled the coaching staff.
In the final game of the evening, Palm Beach Gardens bounced back. The Gators jumped out to a 13-0 lead after scoring on a fumble and a Pedro Epps 12-yard touchdown run. Studstill later hit Jake Hockenson for a 45-yard touchdown.
American Heritage opens the season next week at Belen Jesuit, Piper will host Miami Central, while Gardens will travel to John I. Leonard.