American Heritage-Delray is No. 5
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FlaVarsity Football Analyst John Patton (follow him @FVStaff on Twitter) and staff continue to break down the FlaVarsity Top 25 Pre-season poll. Here's our No. 5. (NOTE - these rankings were compiled prior to the pre-season classic results).
WHO: Delray Beach-American Heritage Stallions
2011 REWIND: In what was perhaps the best season American Heritage has ever had, the Stallions suffered only one loss last season - a 41-34 overtime home loss to Belle Glade-Glades Central in Week 3. Led by RB Greg Bryant, Heritage (13-1 final record; Class 3A state champions) finished last year on an 11-game winning streak, highlighted by a dominating 30-3 win over Madison County in the Class 3A state championship game. The Stallions, who eliminated Fort Lauderdale-University, 31-20, in the Class 3A regional finals, won their third state title in school history.
TOUGH TO BELIEVE: Bryant is also a force to be reckoned with on defense, as evidenced by his two interceptions as a defensive back against Fort Lauderdale-University in the Class 3A regional finals.
BY THE NUMBERS: American Heritage scored at least 30 points in all but three of its games last season and posted five shutouts in the process.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sr. RB Greg Bryant, Sr. ATH Marcus Davis, Sr. OL Roderick Johnson Sr. S Darrion Richardson, Sr. TE/FB Tyler Provo,Sr. S/WR Xavier Swinton, Sr. DL Ronald Bell, Sr. LB Evan Harvey, Sr. K/P Greg Joseph, Sr. LB/FB Evan Harvey, Sr. LB Josh Holley, Sr. DB Ka'wan Peete , Sr. RB/LB Chad Veccharella, So. WR/DB Desmond Cain
OUTLOOK: American Heritage's primary identity is the establishment of the run - and it all starts with Bryant, who rushed for 2,180 yards last season. Bryant will be counted on to anchor his team's offense, but he'll have plenty of help on that side of the ball.
Davis, who will be playing at quarterback and defensive back this season, can make big plays with both his arm and his legs. Meanwhile, Johnson will be the key cog to Heritage's offensive line throughout the season. And Veccharella will play an integral role in the offense, as he will come on the field for at least several plays in an effort to give Bryant rest for the long haul.
Heritage added two key defensive backs in Richardson, a transfer from Delray Beach-Atlantic, and Peete, a transfer from Deerfield Beach. The highly touted seniors will be counted on to patrol the secondary and make a series of big plays in each game they play in.
Meanwhile, the team's linebacker corps was bolstered in the offseason, as evidenced by the addition of Harvey, a transfer from Dwyer, and Holley, a transfer from Pompano Beach-Blanche Ely. Look for the new additions to help lead the Heritage defense to at least a respectable performance in all of its games this season.
In the trenches, Heritage's defensive linemen are at least 6'0" and 235 pounds, which makes it a potentially formidable unit this season. And in the kicking/punting game, the Stallions will use Joseph as the team's go-to guy on special teams this season.
FOUR GAMES OF FOCUS: Delray Beach-Atlantic (8/30), @Armwood (9/7), @West Monroe, La. (10/27), Palm Beach Gardens-Dwyer (11/8).
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We will continue the countdown up until the opening day (August 30). Here's some previous stories related to the FlaVarsity Pre-season Top 25
