American Heritage preps for another state title run with win over McArthur
Plantation American Heritage waited 10 months to see their star quarterback Dia Bell back in action.
In his first action since returning from a serious leg injury that sidelined him during last year’s playoffs, Bell didn’t disappoint.
Bell, a University of Texas commit and five-star prospect, threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Patriots to a 23-14 victory on their home field over Hollywood McArthur on Friday night.
Bell threw for over 100 yards and completed 8 of 10 passes. He also ran twice including a key first down conversion on Heritage’s first drive.
Heritage, which is chasing consecutive state titles for the third time in program history and trying to win its seventh state crown overall, jumped out to a 23-0 halftime lead before pulling several starters for the final two quarters.
Heritage showcased the depth that has many believing it can pull off its ultimate goals this season.
Jonathan Bueno ran for 90 yards in the first half and a touchdown, which gave the Patriots a 20-0 lead.
Bell rolled out and connected with Coi Jean-Noel, who caught the pass off a deflection by senior Dylon Casimir, for a touchdown pass to put Heritage ahead 7-0.
Bell later found Jamar Denson in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter for his second touchdown pass.
Heritage’s defensive playmakers also put together some highlights as Isaac Tanis had a sack and Kymani Morales recovered a fumble.
Terrance Johnson also broke up a key third down pass in the secondary.
McArthur, which went 2-8 last year and is expected to be one of the most improved teams in Broward County this season, had some highlights of its own.
After nearly preventing Heritage’s first touchdown, Casimir later recorded a sack of Bell in the first half.
Javarius Robinson finally put the Mustangs on the board with 6:02 left in the fourth quarter when he threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kenson Louis.
Heritage opens its regular season on Friday in the Broward County Football Showcase against Pennsylvania’s St. Joseph’s Prep at 6 at St. Thomas Aquinas.
McArthur starts its regular season on Aug. 29 against another nationally-ranked team when it hosts Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on Friday at 7.
MORE SCORES
Friday: Columbus 36, Miramar 0; St. Thomas Aquinas 22, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 14; Norland 30, Vero Beach 30; Melbourne Eau Gallie 38, Plantation 24; Westminster Academy 51, Somerset Key 6; Jamboree: Miami Springs 14, Braddock 6; Miami Springs 15, Everglades 0.
Thursday: Southridge 28, Killian 0; Archbishop McCarthy 20, Miami Palmetto 13; Cardinal Gibbons 31, Piper 0; Fort Lauderdale 7, Pembroke Pines Charter 7; Coral Glades 52, Pompano Beach 0; Goleman 42, South Broward 0; Archbishop Carroll 24, Hialeah Miami Lakes 0; Booker T. Washington 7, Deerfield Beach 6; Belen Jesuit 23, Palmer Trinity 0; Miami Edison 28, Flanagan 22.
