• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Partnerships
  • Internships
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
Subscribe Now!
FloridaHSFootball.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
    • Statewide Scoreboard
    • Classification Scoreboards
      • Class 7A
      • Class 6A
      • Class 5A
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
      • Class Rural
      • SSAA 11-Man + Atlantic League
      • SSAA 8-Man
      • Independents
    • Regional Scoreboards
      • Panhandle
      • North Central Florida
      • Northeast Florida
      • Central Florida
      • Tampa Bay
      • Southwest Florida
      • Space & Treasure Coast
      • South Florida
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
        • North Central Florida HSFB Media Day
        • Tampa Bay Buccaneers HSFB Media Day
      • All-Star Games
        • North Central Florida All-Star Classic
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
    • Statewide Scoreboard
    • Classification Scoreboards
      • Class 7A
      • Class 6A
      • Class 5A
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
      • Class Rural
      • SSAA 11-Man + Atlantic League
      • SSAA 8-Man
      • Independents
    • Regional Scoreboards
      • Panhandle
      • North Central Florida
      • Northeast Florida
      • Central Florida
      • Tampa Bay
      • Southwest Florida
      • Space & Treasure Coast
      • South Florida
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
        • North Central Florida HSFB Media Day
        • Tampa Bay Buccaneers HSFB Media Day
      • All-Star Games
        • North Central Florida All-Star Classic
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
FloridaHSFootball.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest Headlines

American Heritage routs Clay for Class 5A State Championship

byTyler Blount
December 13, 2013
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

ORLANDO – In the first game of the second weekend of the FHSAA football finals, the American Heritage Patriots (14-1) battled the Clay Blue Devils (10-5). Coming into the game, both teams were riding on impressive streaks of their own.

The Blue Devils, who struggled early in the season, found a way to come together at the right time to advance to state. They won their final three playoff games by a combined five points. While on the other sideline, the Patriots had been pretty dominate since the first lost they suffered in their first game of the season.

By the end of the game, the Patriots defeated the Blue Devils 66-8.

American Heritage left nothing to chance from the outset of the game scoring on their first play from scrimmage. Torrance Gibson, junior quarterback, scored on a 78 yard “show-and-go” run.

Clay fought early to stay in the game before American Heritage ran away to a 66-8 victory in the Class 5A State Championship Game.Photo By Joshua Wilson
Clay fought early to stay in the game before American Heritage ran away to a 66-8 victory in the Class 5A State Championship Game.
Photo By: Joshua Wilson

After a pair of Clay drives that netted them a total of eight yards, Isaiah McKenzie of American Heritage benefitted on back-to-back successful drives. He first scored on a 3-yard run then again on a pass from Gibson that took him 49-yards downfield.

At the exit of the first quarter, the Patriots led 20-0.

In the second quarter, Sony Michel, a Georgia commit, got involved in the offense with some nice runs of 25 yards, 19 yards  and 15 yards, respectively. At the half, Michel would have 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns. One of his scores came at the top of the second quarter, while the other came midway through with 5:10 left.

Clay’s offense was nonexistent in the first half. They were out gained by 307 yards (371 to 64). The longest play for the Blue Devils came on a JT Turner 12-yard carry to close the half.

The Patriots tacked on a late score with a pass from Gibson to a wide open Dredrick Snelson waiting in the back of the end zone. Going into the half, American Heritage led 40-0.

“We knew it was still a game to play in the second half. All the coaches reminded us that it was a reason that team was here. So as a leader of the offense I just wanted to do my part. It was nice not having to do much in the second half but manage the game,” said Gibson.

At the open of the second half, once again, the Patriots only needed one play to score. But this time, the offense remained on the sideline as Tavarus McFadden returned the kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. Then, after Clay’s opening possession resulted in another punt, American Heritage’s special teams reared its head again. McKenzie fielded, then returned, the punt 65-yards for his third overall touchdown of the game with a little over 9 minutes left in the third.

Then, just as they had done all first half, the Patriot defense made plays. They forced and recovered an early third quarter fumble; shortly thereafter, resulting in a Michel touchdown.  In the third quarter with 4:55 left, the American Heritage coaching staff called timeout to pull Michel off the field to a round of applause from the Heritage crowd of fans. The young South Florida star finished with 98 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the day.

“We are proud that young man is on our team. In certain cases it’s a major plus but today we didn’t need him to go the whole way so we decided as a staff to let him come out. He deserved it,” said Patriots head coach Mike Rumph about Michel.

With the succession of scoring, American Heritage entered the final quarter with a 59-0 lead.

To cap off the game, the Patriots scored yet again. This time it was back-up running back Travis Jackson scoring. At the close of the game, the Patriot offense finished with 461 yards of which 289 yards came on the ground.

American Heritage celebrates their first state championship in school history. Photo By Joshua Wilson
American Heritage celebrates their first state championship in school history.
Photo By: Joshua Wilson

The high point of the game for Clay was a 32 yard running score with 4:38 left in the game from quarterback Wes Weeks. They also would get a two point conversion run in by Turner. By scoring, the Blue Devils not only avoided a shutout, but also the second largest margin of defeat in state final history.

“Nobody expected us to even be here after the start we had. We adopted the mantra “finish strong” and regardless of what that scoreboard says … that’s exactly what we did. This was a learning experience for us. We were young. So next year we will have this in our back pocket to lean on,” stated John Hoekstra, head coach of the Clay Blue Devils.

With the win, not only did American Heritage finished their season on a 14 game winning streak, but also won their first ever state championship in school history.

Related Posts

No. 1 Miami Northwestern will host Orange Lutheran (CA) at adidas Field at Traz Powell Stadium on Saturday night to open the 2025 season. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FOOTBALL: Where does the Florida Power 25 play at this week? Find out here along with links to watch some of them LIVE

Wiregrass Ranch opens the 2025 season at Plant where they are projected to be a favorite in the game [X/@WGRanchFootball}

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Game forecast for Week 1 of the 2025 season

Columbus will open the season against Miami Southridge to start the 2025 season [X/@ColumbusFtball]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Week 1 projected scores and win probabilities for 2025 season

Both Lake Mary and Venice are among the Class 7A teams with the toughest schedules for 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Who’s Got the Gauntlet? FPRI ranks the toughest schedules in Class 7A for the 2025 season

Buchholz will have the toughest schedule for the 2025 season among Class 6A teams. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Who’s Got the Gauntlet? FPRI ranks the toughest schedules in Class 6A for the 2025 season

Manatee will have one of the toughest schedules among Class 5A teams in 2025. [Joshua Wilson/FloridaHSFootball.com]

FLORIDA POWER RANKINGS INDEX: Who’s Got the Gauntlet? FPRI ranks the toughest schedules in Class 5A for the 2025 season

Next Post

LIVE BLOG: Class 7A State Championship - Dwyer vs. Niceville

Dwyer Head Coach Jack Daniels talks about winning Class 7A State Championship

Advertisement

.
.

Advertisement

.
.

Advertisement

.
.
FloridaHSFootball.com

© 2025 Florida HS Football, LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partnerships
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Subscribe Now
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Scoreboards
    • Statewide Scoreboard
    • Classification Scoreboards
      • Class 7A
      • Class 6A
      • Class 5A
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
      • Class Rural
      • SSAA 11-Man + Atlantic League
      • SSAA 8-Man
      • Independents
    • Regional Scoreboards
      • Panhandle
      • North Central Florida
      • Northeast Florida
      • Central Florida
      • Tampa Bay
      • Southwest Florida
      • Space & Treasure Coast
      • South Florida
  • Football
    • Playoffs
    • Recruiting
  • Flag Football
    • District Standings
      • Class 4A
      • Class 3A
      • Class 2A
      • Class 1A
    • Box Score Report Submission
  • Regions
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/northeast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/central.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southwest.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
  • Shows
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Panhandle</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-panhandle.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – North Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northcentral.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Northeast Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-northeastflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Central Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-centralflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Tampa Bay</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-tampabay.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Southwest Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southwestflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – Space & Treasure Coast</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-spacetreasurecoast.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
    • <span class="menu-image-title-hide menu-image-title">The Blitz – South Florida</span><img width="1000" height="310" src="https://floridahsfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/theblitz-southflorida.png" class="menu-image menu-image-title-hide" alt="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" />
  • Florida PRI
  • Rankings
  • Forums
  • More
    • Events
      • Media Days
      • All-Star Games
    • FHSAA
    • Opinion
  • Log In

© 2025 Florida HS Football, LLC. All rights reserved.