Led by Texas commit Dia Bell, American Heritage crushes previously unbeaten Plantation

American Heritage is probably the best .500 team in the country. But Mike Smith and his Patriots are far more concerned with being the best team in a loaded District 15-4A.

They made a convincing case to be just that Friday, putting a halftime running clock on previously undefeated Plantation in a dominant 35-0 victory to kick off league play.

Texas Class of 2026 commit Dia Bell looked every bit the part of a blue chip recruit, shredding a talented Colonels defense for 310 yards and four touchdowns on 18 of 22 passing in just two and a half quarters of action.

“Dia Bell, he came out here and, and looked like a Power 5 player,” said Plantation coach Darrell Strong, whose team fell to 4-1 on the season.

Added Heritage coach Mike Smith: “He just seems to grow and get better. And the game has really slowed down for him.

“He’s becoming a real leader for us as well.”

The Patriots have needed that leadership during a trying first month of the season. They’re a surprising 3-3, but still entered the weekend as the No. 2-ranked 4A team in the state.

How?

Because their three losses are by a combined 15 points to Milton (Ga.), Chaminade-Madonna, and Central -- three powerhouse programs all ranked in the top 30 nationally.

As crazy as it sounds, the early rounds of the playoffs might actually be the easiest stretch of Heritage’s campaign.

“We went through probably the most adversity we will end up going through the entire season,” said Bell, who, should he continues to develop, will get national player of the year consideration his senior year.

“Played great teams in Chaminade, Miami-Central and a top five team to know in Milton. So I think we’re as battle tested as possible. So when time comes in the playoffs, we’re ready for all the situations put in front of us.”

Part of that adversity? Having to finish the Central game, then play Plantation and perhaps Norland in two weeks without star running back Byron Louis, a senior who’s committed to attend Florida State next fall.

Louis was ejected in the Central game because of inappropriate language, and consequently assessed a two-game suspension, the first of which he served Friday. Heritage is appealing to the FHSAA to have that punishment halved in an effort to have him available against the Vikings after their bye.

“Hopefully [we get him back],” Smith said. “I don’t want to comment too much on that. Obviously, that’s a decision by the state. But, you know, man, he’s got to understand that he’s a valuable part of this team.”

Either way, Louis should be in the lineup for Heritage’s home finale against Archbishop McCarthy, and then the regular season finale at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Put it together, and good luck finding a tougher regular season schedule in the entire state.

But if the defense plays like it did Friday -- holding the Colonels to 72 yards on 33 plays -- good luck to any team that faces them, the Raiders included.

“They’ve been criticized a lot,” Smith said of his defense. “But it was just getting back to the basics. And really the basics is just that everybody to the ball, effort, and don’t be afraid to make plays.

“When you’re a struggling unit, sometimes that stuff snowballs on you a little bit. I told them just get back to the basics, play aggressive, play free, and and they did a good job of doing that tonight.”