DELRAY BEACH – With heavy hearts following the passing of their late coach Brian Sheridan, the American Heritage-Delray Stallions returned to the football field to battle against Benjamin on the night of Friday, Sept. 25.
In their first game since finding out about Sheridan’s passing just 10 days prior, the Stallions carried a strong defense and timely offense to a 24-3 victory, picking up their first win of the 2020 season.
For the Stallions, it was a difficult and emotional experience. Their motto ‘#SheridanStrong’ was apparent across the stadium and a moment of silence was held before the game.
The loss hurt the whole school, not just the football team.
“It’s been difficult,” assistant head coach Nick Martinez said. “Football’s been the one thing. I think because we’ve all been through this together, we can all come out, tear together and really just compete and work through the emotions. … Coach Sheridan meant so much to the program. You just have to try and keep what he had implemented.”
American Heritage-Delray (1-1) was led by its defense, which held Benjamin freshman quarterback Tyler Aronson in check. The Stallions intercepted Aronson three times, setting up solid field position for their young offense to inflict their damage.
“The defense is lights out,” Martinez said. “As an offensive play caller, to be able to understand that I have a defense that can get me the ball back, I can go for it on fourth down. I have a third-down play that’s different from other teams … because I’m not scared that I’m gonna put my defense in a bad position. They’re going to overcome. They do it consistently.”
Although the Stallions offense had their struggles against the Buccaneers (0–1), they came up big when needed.
Junior athlete Brandyn Butler commanded the offense when the Stallions needed a score, including a 48-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter which put the home team up 24-3.
Alongside the 48-yard rushing touchdown, Butler added five receptions for 95 yards and another touchdown.
“He is a dynamic player,” Martinez said about Butler. “He’s someone that’s gonna jump on the radar of a lot of people pretty quickly. … We stuttered a little bit early in the third quarter on our offense, let’s get the ball in Brandyn Butler’s hands, let him make something happen. … He’s a guy that the offense relies on big time to show up.”
Benjamin (0-1): Home opener vs. Archbishop McCarthy (0-1) – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. kickoff
WEEK 3 ROUNDUP FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY: FINAL RESULTS
•Jupiter Christian 28, Boca Raton Christian 21
Records now: Jupiter Christian (2-0), Boca Raton Christian (2-0)
•Glades Day 27, Berean Christian 6
Records now: Glades Day (1-1), Berean Christian (0-3)
•St. John Paul II 26, Westminster Academy 6
Records now: St. John Paul II (2-0), Westminster Academy (1-2)
•Cardinal Newman 35, King’s Academy 14
Records now: Cardinal Newman (1–1), King’s Academy (2-1)
WEEK 4 SCHEDULE SLATE
American Heritage-Delray Beach: Bye
Benjamin: Home opener vs. Archbishop McCarthy (0-1) – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. kickoff
Berean Christian: Away at Boca Raton Christian – Friday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. kickoff
Boca Raton Christian: Home vs. Berean Christian – Friday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. kickoff
Cardinal Newman: Home vs. Doral Academy (0-0) – Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. kickoff
Glades Day: Away at Jupiter Christian – Friday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. kickoff
Jupiter Christian: Home vs. Glades Day – Friday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. kickoff
King’s Academy: Away at St. John Paul II – Friday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
St. John Paul II: Home vs. King’s Academy – Friday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m. kickoff
PHOTO CREDITS: Nick Martinez
