Story
American Heritage falls in Class 1A state final
Friday, December 10, 2010
by
Jeff Greer
Something was off for American Heritage.
The blocking schemes for the Stallions weren't working. The defensive motion didn't confuse Jacksonville-Trinity Christian's offense.
And at the end of the night, the score reflected that funny feeling. Trinity Christian toppled defending Class 1A champion American Heritage 27-10 at the Citrus Bowl.
American Heritage beat Trinity Christian 30-20 last year in the same championship game.
On Friday, American Heritage coach Doug Socha tried everything, mixing in multiple defensive packages to try to slow down Trinity Christian's Andrew Buie.
Nothing did the trick.
Buie ran for 242 yards and four touchdowns, almost single-handedly carrying Trinity Christian (12-2) to its third state championship in school history.
"Well, No. 1 he's a heck of a player," Socha said of Buie. "No. 2, he's got a great offensive line. At times, we didn't tackle and that hasn't been our defense this year. If (Buie) breaks one tackle, he has a chance to take it for a touchdown every time."
There was a time when American Heritage (10-4) seemed to have solved Buie and his blockers. The Stallions got three consecutive stops during a stretch that spanned part of the second and third quarters.
A 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore Greg Bryant cut Trinity Christian's lead to 13-10 with 5:50 left in the third quarter, but that's when the momentum stopped.
On the ensuing possession, Buie rushed off the right side of his offensive line at the Trinity Christian 46-yard line. American Heritage flowed to the ball, closing off every hole to the right.
Then the senior quarterback cut back and made the Stallions pay for their over-pursuit, taking the ball 54 yards for a back-breaking touchdown.
"We do a pre-game ritual where we get two double cheeseburgers from McDonald's before every game," Buie said. "I did eat my cheeseburgers today.
"Whatever was in those burgers, I need to get some more."
Buie wasn't the only thing that frustrated American Heritage in its attempt to win a third state title in four years. Trinity Christian's defensive line overwhelmed the Stallions early on as well.
American Heritage had 19 total yards of offense on eight plays by the time Trinity Christian led 13-0.
"They pressured us off the line," said senior receiver Herve Coby, tears streaming down his face. "(Quarterback Marcus Davis) didn't have time to do anything."
Davis, who had 1,987 total yards (1,052 passing, 935 rushing) entering the game, was bottled up all night. His pocket regularly collapsed almost instantly in the first few possessions.
When he did have lanes, Trinity Christian's pursuit was too quick. Davis finished 10-of-16 for 128 yards and two interceptions while rushing for just 12 yards.
Held to just 4.2 yards per carry as a team, American Heritage did something it rarely does.
"We started off slow," Socha said.
.
User Comments:
Mercenarys go down commented on December 11, 2010 at 6:02 a.m.: report abuse
When your a collection of football players from other schools around Palm Beach County in the game for only one reason ( A Ring ) and you fail. I'm sorry, to bad for you guys, I have no simpathy for you. I don't think to many people were pulling for you from our county. Your program has pillaged so many players from other programs, that you guys should change your name to Heritage Mercenary School.
Heritages offensive line play was pityful, their poor play cost Heritage the game. The defense gave Buie way to many rushing lanes, 242 rushing yards. When Kelvin is a junior next year what is he gonna do to you guys. I think this maybe the crack in the dike. Will Heritage Mercenery School ever get back to the domination days of the Willy Bueno coached teams.
kings fan commented on December 11, 2010 at 7:37 a.m.: report abuse
No sympathy here eigther. I've heard that crime doesn't pay...may be some truth to that.
@Mercenaries go down commented on December 11, 2010 at 8:06 a.m.: report abuse
Hey, let me give you a bit of advice. If you're going to insult a prep school at least don't look like a complete idiot doing it. The correct spelling is Mercenaries. I honestly think Heritage could give a rat's ass as to you having any sort of SYMPATHY for them. Who cares if no one was pulling for us in the county. The more jealousy the better. We all certainly were pulling for everyone else to win last night. I agree, our line play wasn't very good at all. We went up against a very good Trinity team loaded with seniors. That Buie kid is something else. Our offense didn't help us out either. Couldn't really get anything going. Trinity's game plan worked to perfection. They basically controlled the whole game and drained the entire clock in the 4th quarter. Oh well, it was a good season and I am proud of all of our boys. Why are you bringing Kelvin Taylor into this? Are We playing Glades Day next year?
Looks like said commented on December 11, 2010 at 8:43 a.m.: report abuse
Well it looks like Trinity recruited just a little better than Heritage. It couldn't have been any better to see a classless Coach go down.
Gman commented on December 11, 2010 at 9 a.m.: report abuse
Another school that pillages schools from all over PBC goes down. I LOVE it when that dream of a a state title BURSTE"S after all that hard work recruiting. Karma's a biotch, isn't it?
stat man commented on December 11, 2010 at 9:25 a.m.: report abuse
Exposed in the big game was the battle of the Trenches. When looking at Heritage loses this season you can look at the inability of the offensive line to open holes and the defensive line's inability to stop the run when it is brought straight at them.
Never be the same commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:28 a.m.: report abuse
AH team was so different last year (Better coached, better QB and better defense). After rooting AH on for last 7 years I dont think they will be what they were last few years. Team seemed alot closer before this year. FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stat Mam commented on December 11, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.: report abuse
Jeff Greer said the blocking schemes didn't work. If u look at the the AH team they have great backs which make big plays despite poor line play. In a big game that poor line play was exposed once again. There scheme, footwork, and head placement is awful. Pass set, well ask their OB who was running for his life. Atleticism can take u a long way but not all the way.
publick skeewl stoodint commented on December 11, 2010 at 12:47 p.m.: report abuse
What's wrong with you people? Don't you think really good football players want to go to a school where they can get a good education, and that has a great footbal program that may enable them to win a state championship which will get some attention from some really good colleges and universities? They aren't recruited. They have the ability to, and choose to go to private schools which they feel is better than the "public option". You people just don't get it. Congratulate American Heritage for what they did this year, even though they were outplayed and lost the big one. They are high school kids playing a game. Trinity Christian had a better night. Golly Polly, grow up.......
Another Outsider commented on December 11, 2010 at 12:55 p.m.: report abuse
YES, THERE IS A FOOTBALL GOD : ) The good thing about losing with a team of recruited all stars is it doesn't hurt as much as if you actually built something together
Why even bother? commented on December 11, 2010 at 1:48 p.m.: report abuse
Why do all of you Heritage haters continue to whine and complain like little girls about all of these recruiting violations? Where has it got you? What problem has it solved? Its not like the Heritage coaches approach these young men and put a gun to their heads. They have a choice to do what they want. This is America right? So all of these kids should be forced to go where they are told? If they are at a school where they have no chance to have a decent season why shouldn't they be able to go elsewhere? Oh and I hate to inform all of you. There will always be another school who so called "recruits" players. Look at the team they played last night. There is nothing wrong with what Heritage is doing.
Justice commented on December 11, 2010 at 2:35 p.m.: report abuse
Amen to the earlier comments...cheaters never win and you reap what you sow...enjoy Heritage!
urmom commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:07 p.m.: report abuse
kids there whether it is for sports or not. smaller classrooms, better teachers, give me one reason why someone wouldn't benefit from going to a prep school.
YOU GUYS ARE JEALOUS FOOLS commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:12 p.m.: report abuse
Well coached team that got beat... You can cry recruiting all you want... you can say that AHS got crushed, but it was a 10-13 game at the end of the third, a blown call on the fumble on the kick-off changed the game around,,,,Bouie from Trinity was amazing, and AHS did not have enough to pull thru...but on the other hand AHS looses 3 offensive starters and 3 defensive starters.... kids who want to be part of something special will once again transfer over during the summer and you all will be crying again next year as they continue to play on TV on the 9th of December ... and the rest of you crybabies will write senseless blogs as if you know what u are talking about ...Congrats to AHS on a great season
JENNA, SHERI, AND PAM commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:34 p.m.: report abuse
It is ok boys we are going to give you something any way. We will give you a night.
S-X, And W--d will make it better.
Scorched commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:50 p.m.: report abuse
It's just funny because I bet the people that write these hate blogs are people that sucked at football and are jealous that these kids actually have talent. Something that people like "Mercenarys go down, kings fan, Looks like said, Gman, Another Outsider, and Justice" could never dream of. And where do you get off calling the coach classless? You probably wouldn't know class if it slapped you in the face with a silver platter. In fact, if you had any class at all why would you be hating on KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL that have the potential and the opportunity to have a great future? Oh I know, maybe it is because you ended up wiping toilet seats for a living because you went to a public school and you sucked at football. The funniest part is even though heritage didn't win this year, just the fact that they go to states every year is enough for kids to want to play there. So no matter how you flip it heritage has many more rings coming to them. Heritage always wins, even when they lose.
Heritage always wins commented on December 11, 2010 at 10:54 p.m.: report abuse
Jenna, Sheri, and Pam are going to make sure they always win ;) lol
Parent commented on December 12, 2010 at 1:25 a.m.: report abuse
@Never be the same: I will say that I agree with you all the way and what the old coach and his staff did for AH was unbelievable. The question is, will it ever be the same?
Hertiage Supporter commented on December 12, 2010 at 1:33 a.m.: report abuse
y'all are a bunch of haters. just because heritage is good every year doesnt mean you have to hate. respect the teams in the 561. that all that needs to be said. just because your team doesnt make it doesnt mean you can hate. it just means you sucked this year. show the 561 some love and root for a fellow team. they do it the right way, in America we are innocent until proven guilty. so go find a different team to hate bc heritage was legit and always will be.
J.B commented on December 12, 2010 at 9 a.m.: report abuse
I went to AH. I was recruited. I was a bad student in public school. However, the teachers in public school were better. My classes were easier at AH, and I was given grades. When I got hurt I was no longer valuable to them. I went back to public school, and got help from teachers. If you can't produce you are a non-person. AH is dirty.
JENNA, SHERI, AND PAM commented on December 12, 2010 at 10:10 a.m.: report abuse
@Polling Stats are out, we give the best parties. We have lots of money, we have been thrown out of ST.Andrews, Pinecrest, Spanish River, Grandview to say the least. We are hot girls. We like to party. We especially party hard with our football team. Who would not want to come here. AH lets us do what we want (within reason) . We were not recruited we have parents who pay the bills. So what if our boys were recruited, our parents help pay. We have one more year, however there are more girls like us. Teen years are for fun. We can study later. We pay everyone. We hope to continue at Lynn. Everyone gets into Lynn with money. You can live your sour life. We get into any club we want. (not cheap ID'S) . Do you think we care? We were up all night have a real good time. Bye LOSER
Idu no commented on December 12, 2010 at 11:14 a.m.: report abuse
@Polling stats, You are right on the head. A group of kids left Pope after their coach took another job. They were brought there by a assistant from Pope. He was offered a job if he could bring in these key recruits. One of those big stars was thrown out of a major Univ. for drug dealing.While at AH they were taken care of. The scandals will go on as the FHSAA is "toothless".
AHS YES commented on December 12, 2010 at noon: report abuse
I have nothing to say but just know we will be back in orlando next year and it will be different we are young..Trinity came to beat us...but they loss that whole team and we keep our whole team...haters keep hating
wow commented on December 12, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.: report abuse
heritage has the same coachs...just a new head coach heritage was a young team not many seniors alot of 11th,10th,9th and 8th graders so even have made it that far with a team like that is good..trinity was just a bit more mature they lost last year to heritage and did not want it to happen twice in a row...say what you want heritage will be back at the ship
son of sam commented on December 12, 2010 at 1:02 p.m.: report abuse
Heritage got a little bit of what they deserved - an empty season because like the Yankees, they were loaded to win it all and failed. Now the stated needs to step in along with area coaches who are sick and tired of seeing their most talented kids end up in the school of "Refuge". You Heritage people talk like your school is it. Your campus might be nice but it is inside the heart of it that stinks. Like a girl with great looks but she would kill her mother for the inheritance. That is what you are about and all the area coaches know it and they're sick of it. May your sin find you out and the state have enough guts to do something about it.
Polling Stats commented on December 12, 2010 at 1:40 p.m.: report abuse
Add another school to that list. Gardens, and yes just like idu no states, the O-line coach is offered a position and he brings kids with him.
Cool it commented on December 12, 2010 at 2:14 p.m.: report abuse
what a minute cool out. The o-line coach brought one kid, his nephew. He probable feels terrible about it too. the kid was a stud at Gardens than he can't find the field at AH. After that performance of the O-line the other night and his nephew not getting any burn, I would'nt be surprised if he is shown the door. To bad for the kid.
JENNA,SHERI, AND PAM commented on December 12, 2010 at 2:55 p.m.: report abuse
To all concerned we do the o-line. We are in round 2, and everyone is up. How about a coke?
O-linemans Dad commented on December 12, 2010 at 5:43 p.m.: report abuse
Don't blame just the Offensive line. The Defense as a whole gave up over 400 yards on the ground. TC threw the ball just once. These coaches according to Mr. Tremper are supposed to be better than the public school coaches. Simply put our coaches were not prepared for Buie. Therefore the kids were not prepared. Coach Socha how dare you blame the kids. Willie was not at all like that and further more he would of had those kids prepared and would of won that game. If your gonna get us back to being State Champions You better get on the phone and get some more pointers from Mr. Bueno. I did not send my son there to be second place. We are there to win rings the state championship kind.
Wellington Teacher commented on December 12, 2010 at 6:18 p.m.: report abuse
Poll stats, you are correct, we had a skinny little pole smoker leave wellington and take about seven of our kids with him to AH. That yr.07 they won states and we won 2 or 3 games only. I agree with Cool its comments if the O-line guy is only bringing in one kid. and that kid is a bust and he can't get his players to perform to a championship level he may be shown the door. Rodney deserves a job for life he is a good recruiter and he can coach.
JENNA, SHERI, AND PAM commented on December 12, 2010 at 6:43 p.m.: report abuse
@O-LINESMAN Dad, we told you the o-line is our job.
D-Linemans Dad commented on December 12, 2010 at 7:01 p.m.: report abuse
At O-Linemans Dad, I think your boy is with JENNA, SHERI, and Pam. If he's not he should be. yOU SHOULD BE ALSO. i THINK THEY GET THE MOST OUT OF THE BOYS.
pbutte commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:06 p.m.: report abuse
For those of you who have been around ahs football or know anything about the program..willie did not call one play on defense or offense in 5 years. the same coaches are calling the plays and preparing the kids. willie b is not a football guy. yes he was a head coach who surrounded him with good coaches...it just wasnt ahs's day in orlando...
Stallion Fan commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:07 p.m.: report abuse
We want coach Bueno back.
donny d commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:10 p.m.: report abuse
Where is willie now? Why did he leave such a good school?
NFL recruiter commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:12 p.m.: report abuse
I am an NFL recruiter who recruits for the pro's. I have been hired by several schools to recruit for them as well. What I do is scout the 8 and 9 year old Pop Warner leagues and pick out the future stars of high school football. I even go as far as to scout the hospitals when kids are born to yesterday's superstars and evaluate the talent there. All of this is done under the table to avoid detection from the FHSAA, which frowns upon such behavior. I have also recruited kids from other states and even other countries and offered their parents money, jobs, sex, drugs, whatever it takes to get their kids into the schools I recruit for. I have a kid right now that is 3 years old and has already signed up for American Heritage. How do you like that?
smitty commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:19 p.m.: report abuse
We want bueno back for what? what did he do differnetly???never had a plan for anything...never talked to our team....all the assistants did evverything....those inside know exactly what im saying...
JENNA, SHERI, AND PAM commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:20 p.m.: report abuse
@NFL recruiter, and Willie Bueno, we have a party at our house. We live on3 acres of land off Clint Moore. We have plenty to give, our parents are skiing in Vail. They will not be home for a week.
TCA supporter commented on December 12, 2010 at 9:40 p.m.: report abuse
O-lineman's dad.......I guess Trinity was supposed to just show up and roll over for AH? I apologize that they actually played the game and then won. You should think about firing all the coaching staff and dismiss all of the players from the team and maybe talk to Urban Meyer to take over your program. I hear he's available. Great recruiter, he is. By the way, I believe history shows that Trinity is 2 for 3 against American Heritage now, in the state championship games. I could be wrong about that.........
Stallions ride commented on December 12, 2010 at 10:15 p.m.: report abuse
I played for coach bueno and he talked to us everyday and asst coaches did exactly what he wanted them to do now of you were an insider you would no that
AH player c/o 2010 commented on December 12, 2010 at 10:50 p.m.: report abuse
Honestly, I don't get what people have against us. We win, we are hated. We lose, we are hated. We are kids. We want to win. We work hard so we win. Maybe everyone should stop questioning what we do; start questioning your coaches, admins, players and most importantly yourself. See what you can change about your respective work ethics to be like us. Most of you on this site that are talking against us probably go to losing school, or you've never really won something big. We are doing nothing wrong. I was the foreign kid on the team. I started for two years. All of those who say Bueno never talked to his team are wrong, we were addressed and prayed with our head coach before and after practice. He comes and looks for you during school and talks to you. heritage will win again; different coaches do things differently, and that's why coach Socha is not like coach Bueno, with all respect to both of these coaches whom I love and respect. But maybe if you went to heritage or played for us you would become a believer and stop being a naysayer...
To Stallion Ride commented on December 13, 2010 at 1:11 a.m.: report abuse
If you paid attention in school you would have better grammar and KNOW that NO is not the same as NO and OF and IF are not the same words. Therefore Heritage obviously focuses way to much on sports and not so much on school work.
AH All Day commented on December 13, 2010 at 3:10 a.m.: report abuse
Us and Glades Central are the teams to beat next year. Don't turn down a third year of this matchup to accommodate a Dwyer matchup nowhere near as juicy as this one!!!! GC knows we belong on that PBC short list of elite programs. Dwyer already took us off their schedule. We back down from no one, but teams just keep running. Hey haters, check our resume. We will not stop until we get our just due. Sorry we outwork and out produce every other small school in South Florida for over 10 years now. Just get ready, because we will load up our schedule against big schools again next year and end up playing for that ring AGAIN!!!! Blue and White till I die you hoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So Real commented on December 13, 2010 at 8:49 a.m.: report abuse
@Wellington Teacher...you obviously are an idiot and know nothing about the REAL story. First of all, Wellington had a long line of useless coaches, ending with the most recent. First Coach Robinson stole from the school and kids, next year Coach IDIOT (you know who I mean) was brought in by the principle to 'fill in' for one year with no interest in winning, recruiting, or otherwise. Next year, COACH Boley brought his losing record and Wing Tee to Wellington, while throwing out recruiting letters for the kids, and then Coach Romano took over a losing record and continued the tradition. His only interest was in getting his son recognition, who, by the way, plays on the team. So I am not surprised that you didn't lose all the players from that school. You can try to slander or twist what really happened, however, those who left know the REAL story.
AH PARENT#3 commented on December 13, 2010 at 11:51 a.m.: report abuse
AHS PARENT #2....GOODBYE...WE WILL JUST KEEP ON ROLLING WITH OR WITHOUT YOU... BRING YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE THAT YOUR KID MIGHT GET A CHANCE TO PLAY...THIS PROGRAM IS FOR THE BEST...GET IT, THE BEST...WHEN YOU THRIVE FOR GREATNESS, NOT EVERYBODY CAN SURVIVE THE CUT!!!!!WE HAD SOME RIDE THIS YEAR AND PBC AND THE NATION WILL TAKE NOTICE WHEN WE JUST BOUNCE BACK FROM A DISAPPOINTING LOSS AND END UP RIGHT BACK ON TOP WHERE WE BELONG.....GO STALLIONS!!!!!!!!!!WE ARE LOAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD NEXT YEAR BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLUE AND WHITE commented on December 13, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.: report abuse
BLUE AND WHITE ALL DAY EVERYDAY!!! OUR FAMILY IS WAY TOO TIGHT FOR THE SAME 5 PEOPLE FROM LOSING PROGRAMS THAT TRY AND RAIL US TO DISCOURAGE US....I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A RIDER IN PBC FOOTBALL. THESE PEOPLE POSTING ARE A JOKE AND DO NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND PBC FOOTBALL. THE BEST FOOTBALL IN AMERICA BOYYYYY. THIS CULTURE MUST BE IN YOUR BLOOD IN ORDER TO SUCCEED AROUND HERE. WE HAVE COACHES ON OUR STAFF THAT STILL HOLD RECORDS AROUND THIS COUNTY FROM THEIR PLAYING DAYS, NOT JUST A BUNCH OF SCHOOL TEACHERS THAT WATCH THE DOLPHINS GAMES IN ORDER TO GET NEW IDEAS. THIS SPORT IS FOR TOUGH GUYS. FIND A TEAM THAT PUNKED US IN THE LAST 5 YEARS AND THAN I WILL BUY YOU A CHEESEBURGER YOU HOES!
AHS Parent #2 commented on December 13, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.: report abuse
You have proven my point we are talking ethics,and character not just football. All you want to talk about is football. There is life after the game. Blue and White you must have short term memory what happened to us Friday night.
chasing skirts commented on December 13, 2010 at 12:06 p.m.: report abuse
who uses that term besides some fool from a gated community. im in 10th grade and have never even heard that term before. i think you meant to say our coach is not gay and his wife is beautiful and so are his kids...luv you to death coach and just so you know we had our two days off and now its time to get back to work. WHO RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY CANT TAKE OUR SWAG, THEY GOTTA EARN IT!!!!
AHS Parents commented on December 13, 2010 at 12:11 p.m.: report abuse
Please bring your son somewhere that plays us next year so I can hit him in the mouth for you being disrespectful. Please sir, just put your name up here and be a man. I will wait for you, and give your son every chance to meet me anytime anyplace to earn his spot.
p.s. HEARD POPE IS RECRUITING HEAVY IN YOUR GATED COMMUNITY
AHS Parent #2 commented on December 13, 2010 at 12:27 p.m.: report abuse
Who cares about Bueno!!!! I am talking about having your family on campus and putting them in a possible emberessing situation. I will say my name when you want to bring the truth out about our little gated school to the forefront. Once one of the coaches decide to leave; the party will be over because he is so well liked in this community the kids will go where he goes.
public fan commented on December 15, 2010 at 12:52 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats to the players on a good season.I was at the game and AH just got completely outplayed,maybe next year ya'll b able to find the kids to get the job done!As a school that has done pretty well the last few yrs,their attendance was terrible,mainly parents and siblings of the players.Glades Day and Warner had bigger crowds!Some of the elder fans acted as though they were in college,even passing around liquor!!
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