Big second half pushes Heritage over U-School

PLANTATION — There was a lot of talk all offseason that American Heritage lost far too much off last year’s team to maintain its championship form.

The new-look Patriots couldn’t entirely prove themselves in one preseason exhibition, but they impressed against another Broward County team that is also in line to contend.

Junior quarterback Edwin Rhodes threw for three touchdowns and Heritage pulled away from the University School in a 48-24 victory at home.

Including preseason games, American Heritage has won 29 straight. The Patriots will put their 27-game regular and postseason game win streak on the line next week when they host Miami Carol City, a Class 6A favorite.

Rhodes’ three strikes all came in the second half. Early in the third quarter, on 4th-and-goal, he lobbed a pass to wide-open tight end Beau Johnson off play action. He later hit Jacolby Spells on a tipped ball that went for an 80-yard touchdown and connected with Vinson Davis deep over the middle early in the fourth.

“That’s what happens when you play us. We demoralize you with the run. You have to cheat guys up. They give our outside guys one-on-one opportunities,” Heritage coach Patrick Surtain said. “Second half, [Rhodes] got rolling, got confidence and did what we were seeing the whole camp, which is taking what the defense gives him and getting the ball to his playmakers.”

Rhodes responded after missing some easy throws in the first half.

“I know I had a bad first half,” he said. “I just had to come back out here, keep my head up and just make plays for the offense.”

Running back Tyler Jones scored from in close in the first quarter and also displayed his speed and agility on several other runs. Fellow senior back Lavelton Williams ran with purpose between the tackles.

Some may wonder how the Patriots will do at cornerback after losing two five-stars off their roster. Sophomore Jaden McBurrows answered the call within the opening minute Friday, picking up a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

“I just saw the ball, had to go get it,” McBurrows said. “We started off good, but we got a lot of improvements [to make].”

Kicker Jimmy Lowery made two field goals, including one from 47 yards out.

Senior receiver Zay Flowers scored two long touchdowns for University School. Running back Kenny McIntosh scored on a wide-open pass to the flat in the first quarter.

Heritage junior cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. and University School’s Josh Sanguinetti were each ejected after a quick second-half scuffle in which Porter threw a punch and Sanguinetti retaliated with another. Both could be in store for six-week suspensions depending on review by the FHSAA of the incident.

U-School hosts Glades Central, a foe in Region 4-4A with the Sharks, in its regular-season opener.