PALM BEACH GARDENS – In a game featuring some of the best offensive talent in Palm Beach County, it was the defenses that shined, as No. 7 American Heritage defeated No. 3 Benjamin, 20-13 on Friday, Sept. 27.
In the fourth quarter, with the score tied at 7, American Heritage quarterback Zachary Bohannon led a long drive that was capped off by a Tyler Willis 3-yard rushing touchdown, giving American Heritage the lead.
The touchdown marked Willis’ second of the game, the first coming on a 50-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage.
Later in the quarter, Andison Coby’s 60-yard touchdown catch on third down doubled American Heritage’s lead.
Later in the fourth, a Khani Jones short touchdown run gave Benjamin life late, but it was ultimately too little too late, as the ensuing onside kick was recovered by American Heritage.
Despite the loss, Benjamin head coach Eric Kresser says there are positives to take from the team’s performance.
“We played against a very good team, and we were in the game until the very end,” Kresser said. “Guys fought until the very end, and we were good enough to win. Just got to correct some mistakes.”
After starting the season with a loss to Vero Beach and losing last week to Cardinal Gibbons, American Heritage head coach Keith Hindsley believes this game will help with the team’s morale as the season continues.
“It builds on us for character in the future,” Hindsley said. “It makes us believe that if we’re in a tough matchup, we can win.”
In Week 7, Benjamin (4-1) will look to bounce back with an away game against Calvary Christian. American Heritage (3-2) will hope to build on this win with a home game against Coral Gables.
OTHER WEEK 6 RESULTS
No. 1 Atlantic 62, Olympic Heights 0
Records now: Atlantic (3-1), Olympic Heights (2-4)
Cocoa 27, No. 5 Glades Central 20
Record now: Glades Central (3-3)
No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens 34, No. 10 Jupiter 0
Records now: Palm Beach Gardens (4-1), Jupiter (4-2)
No. 8. Cardinal Newman 21, Melbourne Central Catholic 14
Record now: Cardinal Newman (3-1)
Wellington 17, No. 9 Forest Hill 6
Records now: Wellington (2-4), Forest Hill (3-2)
Santaluces 20, Lake Worth 12
Records now: Santaluces (3-1), Lake Worth (1-3)
Seminole Ridge 37, Royal Palm Beach 6
Records now: Seminole Ridge (3-1), Royal Palm Beach (3-2)
Park Vista 34, John I. Leonard 0
Records now: Park Vista (4-2), John I. Leonard (1-5)
Blanche Ely 49, West Boca Raton 0
Record now: West Boca Raton (0-4)
Coconut Creek 31, Boynton Beach 14
Record now: Boynton Beach (1-3)
Martin County 22, Dwyer 21
Record now: Dwyer (1-3)
Deerfield Beach 49, Boca Raton 6
Record now: Boca Raton (2-3)
Monarch 49, Spanish River 7
Record now: Spanish River (0-5)
Jensen Beach 29, Suncoast 2
Record now: Suncoast (2-4)
McGill-Toolen (Ala.) 47, Inlet Grove 12
Record now: Inlet Grove (3-3)
St. John Paul II 25, Village Academy 6
Records now: St. John Paul II (2-2), Village Academy (1-3)
Boca Raton Christian 23, Jupiter Christian 7
Records now: Boca Raton Christian (2-4), Jupiter Christian (0-6)
Berean Christian 49, Warner Christian 8
Record now: Berean Christian (2-3)
St. Andrew’s 29, Somerset Academy Canyons 28
Records now: St. Andrew’s (4-1), Somerset Academy Canyons (1-4)
King’s Academy 42, Glades Day 7
Records now: King’s Academy (4-2), Glades Day (1-3)
Jacksonville Trinity Christian 42, Pahokee 7
Record now: Pahokee (1-4)
WEEK 6 BYE: No. 2 Palm Beach Lakes (4-0), No. 4 Palm Beach Central (4-1)