ORLANDO – For 19 minutes, Baker County went toe-to-toe with the No. 3/4 team in the country according to both Max Preps and USA Today.
And then American Heritage woke up.
Plantation American Heritage (13-0) won its 27 straight game and its second straight Class 5A state title with a 44-15 win over Baker County (13-2) at Camping World Stadium.
The Patriots scored on all seven of its possessions racking up 319 total yards to run away with its second straight state title and force a running clock as well.
Baker County was overwhelmed and unable to match up well with the speedy Patriots team, who potentially could have 20 Division I offers on the team.
American Heritage didn’t waste any time establishing a lead marching 77 yards in 13 plays, capping the drive with a Cam Smith 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead five minutes into the game.
After a quick three and out, they struck again as Elstein converted a 33 yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with 42 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Cam Smith connected with a wide open Joshua Alexander for a 39 yard touchdown on the next drive for a 17-0 lead with 10 minutes left till half time.
Yet despite the 17 point deficit, you still had a feeling the game was out of hand yet.
However that quickly changed with the only turnover of the game as Paige lost the ball after taking the hand off and the ball rolled off his back and into the hands of Nesta Silvera who returned it 57 yards for a score and 24-0 lead five minutes left till half.
That play changed the game as Baker County appeared to be finally putting a drive together crossing midfield and potentially getting back in the game.
From there it only got worse as Cam Smith connected with Anthony Schwartz on a 43 yard touchdown pass for a 30-0 lead.
Two minutes later, the Patriots struck again as Schwartz, who won the 100 state title last year with a 10.1, raced 37 yards down the sideline untouched for a shocking 37-0 lead with 1:34 left till halftime.
Down 37-0 at the half, one thing was evident, a running clock was coming.
A funny thing happened in the locker room and the start of the third quarter, Baker County came out a lot more relaxed and loose and not looking afraid. The Wildcats offense also loosened up as well with a few tricks plays and new wrinkles.
Nick Lee rumbled 48 yards down to the 3 yard line on the second play of the second half and Paige followed with a 3 yard run putting the Wildcats on the scoreboard.
An ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Wildcats at midfield. Joe Green hit Paige behind the line of scrimmage, who pulled up and hit a wide open Lee Graham for a 49 yard touchdown reception cutting the lead to 37-15 midway through the third quarter.
Just like that the Wildcats were back in the game but unfortunately running out of time thanks to the running clock.
As the fourth quarter quickly approached time was slipping away but the Wildcats faithful began to think about their accomplishments this season.
A season opening loss to St. Augustine 31-14, was quickly erased with 13 consecutive wins including wins over playoff teams Menendez 20-13, Clay 21-14 and Dunnellon 50-26 and ending an 0-6 losing streak in the second round of the playoffs with a 37-28 win over Menendez.
While playmakers Seth Paige, Lee Graham, Josh Haygood, Wesley Belford are all gone on offense, new stars will emerge as junior John Green, sophomore Kayden Hill, junior linebacker Kelton Knabb are coming back and ready to lead the Wildcats on another deep playoff run.
One thing for sure is Jamie Rodgers has the program going in the right direction and now a force to contend with in 5A and in all of the First Coast area.
Scoring Summary
First
AH: Cam Smith 1 yard run, Jared Elstein kick (7-0)
AH: Jared Elstein 33 yard field goal (10-0)
Second
AH: Joshua Alexander 39 yard pass from Cam Smith (17-0)
AH: Nesta Silvera 57 yard fumble teturn, Jared Elstein kick (24-0)
AH: Anthony Schwartz 43 yard pass from Cam Smith, kick failed (30-0)
AH: Anthony Schwartz 37 yard run, Jared Elstein kick (37-0)
Third
BC: Seth Paige 3 yard run, Jackson Davis (37-7)
BC: Lee Graham 48 yard pass from Seth Paige, Paige rush (37-15)
Fourth
AH: Cam Smith 1 yard run, Elstein kick (44-15)
