American Heritage Handles Bolles

     The American Heritage Patriots held off the Bolles Bulldogs 21-14 in the FHSAA Class 2M state semifinal contest at Heritage Field in Plantation on Friday night. The Patriots advanced to the Class 2M state championship game at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale two weeks from now and will attempt to capture their sixth state title in school history. 

     American Heritage(13-1) rolled out to a 14-0 lead as they were able to reach the end zone twice during the first quarter. Running back Mark Fletcher rushed to the left side for touchdowns from 11 yards and six yards away.

     It became 21-0 for the Patriots midway into the third quarter. Quarterback Blake Murphy found wide receiver Brandon Inniss on a 38-yard touchdown pass. 

     The Bulldogs had a chance to break the shutout with 3:23 left in the third quarter. They lost the ball on downs at the Pats three-yard line. 

     Bolles(9-5) finally got on the scoreboard with 8:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Ethan Drumm fired a 45-yard touchdown pass down the left side to wide receiver Chase Collier. The extra point was kicked wide left and they trailed 21-6.

     The Bulldogs reached the end zone later in the quarter following their recovery of an on-side kick. Drumm tossed to wide receiver Naeem Burroughs on a touchdown pass along with the two-point conversion and they were down 21-14. American Heritage defensive back Daemon Fagan made an interception with 3:26 to go and ended the chances for Bolles.