American Heritage Delray Thinking Playoffs – Again

If you followed Delray American Heritage’s football program last year, it was indeed a tale of two different seasons for the Stallions. Finishing 4-4 under head coach <strong>Nick Martinez,</strong> it was indeed a tough 2020 for so many reasons. The untimely passing of popular head coach <strong>Brian Sheridan</strong> coupled with the pandemic did not add up to many positives for this program, but they never stopped pushing and giving everything they had. A season-ending loss in the playoffs to eventual 4A state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (26-14) came after two solid playoff wins against Avon Park (42-0) and Lemon Bay (49-7). Along the way in 2020, this program collected wins against Cardinal Newman (19-0) and North Palm Beach Benjamin (24-3). Besides dropping that decision to Cardinal Gibbons, the Stallions lost to Fort Myers Bishop Verot, two-time defending 2A state champion Hialeah Champagnat Catholic and Clewiston. <strong>SENIOR PROSPECTS ARE READY</strong> After a solid spring, this program learned that they will need to rely on this Class of 2022, which has several impressive prospects who are more than ready to step up. Among those prospects include <strong>Kendrick Stewart</strong> (FS, 6-3, 170 – 3.72 GPA), <strong>Matthew Smiciklas</strong> (WR, 5-11, 170 – 3.7 GPA) and receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50185" first="Brandyn" last="Butler"]</strong> (5-7, 160 – 3.6 GPA). All three will be catalysts this coming season – and will be needed for talent and leadership all summer. In addition, look for fellow seniors <strong>Santhoney Brown</strong> (OLB/SS, 6-1, 180 – 3.74 GPA), Hayden Eugene (CB, 5-10, 165 – 3.66 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50122" first="Everest" last="Ferrell"]</strong> (P, 6-1, 185 – 3.28 GPA), <strong>Gee Giborlee</strong> (OLB/SS, 5-9, 170 – 3.01 GPA), <strong>Josh Kruk</strong> (OL, 6-4, 315 – 3.0 GPA) and offensive lineman <strong>Phil Mathis</strong> (6-1, 255 – 3.5 GPA). The Stallions will also have <strong>Charles Parker</strong> (OL, 6-2, 280 – 2.5 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="50170" first="Deon" last="Parker"]</strong> (Athlete, 5-9, 165 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Shane Rochester </strong>(DL, 6-3, 245 (3.8 GPA) and talented offensive lineman <strong>Nick Swanson</strong> (6-3, 285 – 3.8 GPA). <strong>UNDERCLASSMEN WILL HAVE THEIR CHANCE</strong> With some impressive young prospects on the roster for 2021, look for several players from the Class of 2023 to make an immediate impact. Players like gifted <strong>Desean Butler</strong> (DB, 5-10, 175 – 3.05 GPA), <strong>Clay Cannon </strong>(RB, 5-8, 170 – 4.5 GPA), <strong>Brandon Dames</strong> (WR, 6-1, 170 – 3.2 GPA), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128664" first="C.J." last="Johnson"] </strong>(DE, 6-3, 230 – 3.01 GPA), <strong>Jaxon Patterson</strong> (DE, 5-10, 200 – 3.98 GPA), <strong>Josh Ramos</strong> (QB, 6-0, 180 – 4.2 GPA) and impressive offensive line standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128624" first="Conal" last="Walsh"]</strong> (6-5, 265 – 3.25 GPA). The group of sophomores that this program has will also make a difference. Class of 2024 athletes such as <strong>Michael Manna</strong> (WR, 6-4, 185 – 3.8 GPA), <strong>Tucker Yavinsky</strong> (OC, 6-1, 235 – 4.0 GPA) and nationally-rated kicker <strong>Jake Weinburg </strong>(5-9, 165 – 4.0 GPA). There are also freshmen <strong>Ryan Long</strong> (OL, 6-0, 210 – 3.0 GPA) and fast-rising tight end <strong>Jackson Taggart </strong>(6-5, 220 – 3.9 GPA). <strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HERITAGE DELRAY</strong> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>