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Plantation, FL — To be the best, you have to play the best.
That statement rings true for many South Florida powerhouses as of late. In a late scheduling addition, American Heritage Plantation and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) added each other to their schedules roughly about two weeks ago. St. Thomas suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tampa Jesuit last week and Heritage fell to Treasure Coast two weeks ago and could ill-afford another loss.
Aquinas would bounce back Friday night.
St. Thomas would edge American Heritage 24-16 in a game delayed for about an hour due to lightning in the area. Aquinas caused a total of five turnovers, which proved to be the difference in the game. Head Coach Roger Harriot gives credit to his defensive coordinator and NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
Jason Taylor, Defensive Coordinator, St. Thomas Aquinas
“They’re adamant about forcing turnovers and creating opportunities to change the momentum of the game,” said Harriot. “He does a really good job with our guys.”
With Aquinas down 14-7 early in the third quarter, Heritage was looking to extend its lead and make it difficult for the visitors to come back. Linebacker Derrion Craig took matters into his own hands. The senior ripped the ball away from starting quarterback Blake Murphy and darted to the goal line for a St. Thomas touchdown. Craig made similar big plays within the year.
Derrion Craig rips the ball away and turns it into a @STA_Football touchdown with 9:51 left in the 3rd quarter. Score tied at 14. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/o0NgseTUvC
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 11, 2021
“Last year I did the same thing in the same game,” said Craig referring to his strip score in last year’s contest with American Heritage. “I did the same thing in the state championship last year. That play set the tone.”
The Raiders would cause another turnover on the following possession. Murphy mishandled the football and the Raiders pounced on the football at about mid-field. St. Thomas quarterback Zion Turner would finish the drive with a touchdown pass to the (6-4) Camden Brown.
The Raiders take the lead with 7:22 to go in the 3rd quarter. @Pitt_FB commit @CamdenBrown7 catches this one for a @STA_Football touchdown. Score 21-14 over Heritage. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/cLRJPYgggh
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 11, 2021
Aquinas would not relinquish the lead from that point forward. Turner also connected with junior Isaiah Hardge in the first half for a touchdown.
“This week we were real focused,” said Turner. “You knew what we had to do. We worked real hard in practice and our coaches came up with a great game plan.”
The nightmare second half would continue for Heritage quarterback Blake Murphy. In a run to right side, Murphy’s leg was caught under a few bodies which caused him to fall awkwardly. Murphy was down for several minutes and had to be carted off the field. His right leg was put in a cast. Murphy scored the first touchdown of the game for the Patriots on a quarterback scramble.
His replacement Ty Law Jr. (the perennial pro bowler’s son) did not fare well in Murphy’s absence. In his first series, he threw an interception directly to former Heritage linebacker David Vadala and in his last series would throw another to Conrad Hussey.
.@ConradHussey gets his second interception of the game with 5:35 left. @STA_Football leads 24-14 over American Heritage. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/nk8emQHx6Z
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 11, 2021
The junior Hussey had two interceptions in the game.
Conrad Hussey of @STA_Football catches the interception from the deflection. pic.twitter.com/ndMR9Irkrn
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) September 11, 2021
Hussey’s interception placed the ball a the St. Thomas one-yard line. A running play to senior Anthony Hankerson failed to get out of the end zone on the first play resulting in a safety for American Heritage. The Patriots following possession would see five-star Oklahoma commit Brandon Inniss at quarterback. Inniss was able to move the ball with some consistency but the receiver lost his balance in the backfield resulting in a sack on third down. With under three minutes to go at mid-field, Heritage decided to punt the football back to Aquinas and a Turner four-yard rush on third down would essentially end the game.
“Winning cures all,” said Coach Harriot. “It’s a great feeling, happy for the guys. We are at a program where winning is a standard and an expectation for us. We’re grateful and we have to work hard to maintain this tradition. For us to bounce back and come away with the win we’re grateful and thankful that God has given an opportunity to show our gratitude.”
St. Thomas leads all schools with the most state championships with 12 state titles. Heritage, one of the most successful programs in the state in the last decade, holds five state championships.
