American Heritage Wins 5A Title Over Baker County

     The American Heritage Patriots captured their second straight FHSAA Class 5A state championship and fourth state title in the last five seasons with a 44-15 blowout victory over the Baker County Wildcats on Friday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The Patriots, who scored on all seven possessions they had in the contest, extended their winning streak to 27 games and have not lost a game since the 2015 playoffs against Hallandale.
     American Heritage(13-0) got the ball first to begin the game and scored on their first possession. Quarterback Cameron Smith busted through the center of the line with a one-yard touchdown run on a 13-play, 77-yard drive to make it 7-0 at 6:56.
     The Patriots added to their lead late in the first quarter on their next drive. Jared Elstein kicked a 33-yard field goal with 42 seconds left in the first and made it a 10-point margin.
     They continued their momentum in the second quarter. Smith connected a 39-yard pass to wide receiver Josh Alexander for a touchdown at 9:53 to complete a three-play, 60-yard drive and made it 17-0.
     Baker County(13-2) fell behind even more with 4:52 left in the first half. Patriots defensive tackle Nesta Silvera recovered a fumble and returned it 57 yards for a score and a 24-point cushion.
     American Heritage scored on the first play of their next possession with 3:13 to go in the second. Smith found wide receiver Anthony Schwartz on a 43-yard touchdown pass to expand their lead to 30-0.
     The Patriots again reached the end zone on the first play of their next drive with 1:30 remaining in the quarter for a 37-0 lead. Schwartz took a handoff and scored on a run from 37 yards away.
     The second half started with a running clock. Wildcats running back Nick Lee rushed 48 yards for on the second play of their possession to the Patriots three-yard line. Running back Seth Paige ran in from three yards out on the next play at the 9:40 mark to make it 37-7.
     Baker County recovered an on-side kick and would eventually scored on a three-play, 53-yard drive. Paige threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Lee Graham at 6:17. Paige converted on a two-point conversion run to draw closer 37-15.
     In the fourth quarter, the Patriots chewed up the clock on a long 13-play, 53-yard drive that took 11:01. Smith finished the possession and he scored on a one-yard touchdown run for a 44-15 lead.