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Class 5A State Championship Game Preview
PUBLISHED
Thu, Dec 8, 2016 8:23 PM
The Plantation American Heritage Patriots are seeking their third FHSAA Class 5A state championship in the last four years. The Patriots hosted the 5A crown in 2013 and 2014, they also finished as state runner up in Class 2A during the 1998 season.
American Heritage is a perfect 13-0 this season and they have outscored four playoff opponents 106-40 this post season. The Patriots crushed Fort Pierce Westwood 55-12 in round one, squeaked by district rival Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 10-7 in round two, beat defending Class 5A champion Orlando Bishop Moore 20-7 for the regional championship, and defeated Tampa Jesuit 21-14 in the semifinals last week.
Offensively, American Heritage likes to run the ball with junior running back Jordan Johnson(721 yards rushing, 9 touchdowns), junior Miles Jones(552 yards rushing, 332 yards receiving, 6tds), and senior quarterback Jason Brown(514 yards rushing, 4tds). Brown also has passed for 1,525 yards and 13 touchdowns. When he does pass, Brown looks for Jones, senior Laress Nelson(421 yards receiving, 5tds), senior Dontavious Butler(252 yards receiving, 3tds), and junior Josh Alexander.
On defense, the Patriots will rely on their defensive line and defensive backs to stop their opponents. Junior defensive end Andrew Chatfield has 19 quarterback sacks this season! He teams up with defensive tackles Nestra Silvera, a 6'2" 305 pound junior and 6'3" 285 pound senior George Ellis to form one of the better defensive lines in the state! Seniors Will Allen and Marco Wilson, along with junior Patrick Surtain gives American Heritage three play makers in the defensive backfield.
The Ponte Vedra Sharks are making their first appearance in a FHSAA state championship game. The Sharks also have a perfect 13-0 record, but have never advanced past the third round in the FHSAA playoffs.
Ponte Vedra blasted Yulee 51-19 in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs, they followed that up with a close 35-32 victory over Jacksonville Ribault, they defeated Tallahassee Rickards 31-20 in round three, and won a 52-42 shootout over Green Cove Springs Clay County in the semifinals last week.
When the Sharks are on offense, the catalyst is senior quarterback Nick Tronti. Tronti has passed for 3,061 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions! He also has rushed for 627 yards and 17 touchdowns. Senior Hal Swan also contributes heavily on offense as well. He has rushed for 1,260 yards, has 519 yards receivng , and scored 21 touchdowns. When Tronti passes, he will throw to Swan, Marshall Few(1,017 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns), J.D. Pirris(558 yards receiving, 7 touchdowns), and Jake McGuire(518 yards receiving, 4 touchdowns).
Defensively, Ponte Vedra has a senior laden starting lineup, they have eight senior starters. Defenisive end Trevor Rolinson, middle linebacker Carson Richter and defensive tackle Al Koch are the best of the bunch.
American Heritage is a perfect 13-0 this season and they have outscored four playoff opponents 106-40 this post season. The Patriots crushed Fort Pierce Westwood 55-12 in round one, squeaked by district rival Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 10-7 in round two, beat defending Class 5A champion Orlando Bishop Moore 20-7 for the regional championship, and defeated Tampa Jesuit 21-14 in the semifinals last week.
Offensively, American Heritage likes to run the ball with junior running back Jordan Johnson(721 yards rushing, 9 touchdowns), junior Miles Jones(552 yards rushing, 332 yards receiving, 6tds), and senior quarterback Jason Brown(514 yards rushing, 4tds). Brown also has passed for 1,525 yards and 13 touchdowns. When he does pass, Brown looks for Jones, senior Laress Nelson(421 yards receiving, 5tds), senior Dontavious Butler(252 yards receiving, 3tds), and junior Josh Alexander.
On defense, the Patriots will rely on their defensive line and defensive backs to stop their opponents. Junior defensive end Andrew Chatfield has 19 quarterback sacks this season! He teams up with defensive tackles Nestra Silvera, a 6'2" 305 pound junior and 6'3" 285 pound senior George Ellis to form one of the better defensive lines in the state! Seniors Will Allen and Marco Wilson, along with junior Patrick Surtain gives American Heritage three play makers in the defensive backfield.
The Ponte Vedra Sharks are making their first appearance in a FHSAA state championship game. The Sharks also have a perfect 13-0 record, but have never advanced past the third round in the FHSAA playoffs.
Ponte Vedra blasted Yulee 51-19 in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs, they followed that up with a close 35-32 victory over Jacksonville Ribault, they defeated Tallahassee Rickards 31-20 in round three, and won a 52-42 shootout over Green Cove Springs Clay County in the semifinals last week.
When the Sharks are on offense, the catalyst is senior quarterback Nick Tronti. Tronti has passed for 3,061 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions! He also has rushed for 627 yards and 17 touchdowns. Senior Hal Swan also contributes heavily on offense as well. He has rushed for 1,260 yards, has 519 yards receivng , and scored 21 touchdowns. When Tronti passes, he will throw to Swan, Marshall Few(1,017 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns), J.D. Pirris(558 yards receiving, 7 touchdowns), and Jake McGuire(518 yards receiving, 4 touchdowns).
Defensively, Ponte Vedra has a senior laden starting lineup, they have eight senior starters. Defenisive end Trevor Rolinson, middle linebacker Carson Richter and defensive tackle Al Koch are the best of the bunch.
