DELRAY BEACH – Don’t look now, but American Heritage is probably going to have the best group of wide receivers this year in Palm Beach County.
After gaining junior wide receiver Brandon Schabert (Seminole Ridge transfer), the Stallions picked up another rising star in sophomore wideout Matthew Smiciklas.
This is an excellent move for Smiciklas, given the fact he had a breakout stretch of games throughout the second half of Boca Raton’s memorable season that resulted in a surprise Class 8A playoff berth and a final record of 8-3.
“The opportunity for me is over at American Heritage,” Smiciklas said. “They run a spread passing offense rather than an mostly running offense like we did. When Coach [Brandon] Walker had to go to athletic director, it was the last string for me to leave because I don’t know who the coaches would be there. I have great opportunity over at heritage with Coach [Brian] Sheridan, who is a great coach.”
Smiciklas was a Breakthrough Player of the Week nominee in Week 7 of the regular season due to his game-winning 25-yard scoring catch from senior quarterback Andy Caverly.
His breakout moment came with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter of Boca Raton’s 17-10 road victory over Wellington, when he broke the 10-10 tie on a slant and go play that was executed to perfection.
Smiciklas had another standout performance in Week 10 of the regular season. He caught three passes for 150 yards and two scores to help lead Boca Raton to a 42-14 win over Spanish River.
For the season, Smiciklas caught five touchdowns on offense, while adding 29 tackles, an interception, and at least one fumble recovery in nine games played.
“Boca Raton was great for sure,” Smiciklas said. “I didn’t leave because of anything like that. It was just that I saw more at Heritage. At Boca, when everyone left, Andy really stepped up, took charge, and led the team. It was great with [senior athlete] Tra’Nell [Hollis] also. They were great leaders.”
Smiciklas didn’t stop there.
“As a team, we did amazing things, and as an individual, Boca set me up to be in great positions,” he said. “We would run, run, run, and that would set up the pass for me and other receivers.”
Now that the 6-foot, 160-pound wide receiver is at American Heritage, he’s soaking up the knowledge that the Stallions coaches have been giving him since his arrival there.
“I’ve only been there for two weeks, but in the time I’m there, he’s [Coach Brian Sheridan] been getting kids offers left and right,” said Smiciklas, who has received interest from FAU, Toledo, and South Alabama. “Schools are coming in and he’s on the phone talking positive about everyone. He seems like a great coach who is definitely gonna push every player to play our best.”
Right now in the offseason, our Class of 2022 Watch List selection is playing in 7-on-7 competition with Epic Elite. He had a standout performance at the Pylon 7-on-7 Tournament this past weekend in Orlando with his three touchdown catches.
“Epic Elite with Coach Ian Headley is great,” Smiciklas said. “He helps everyone with exposure to colleges. That’s how I have some of my interest from colleges. He’s been the one getting my name out.”
To sum it up, Smiciklas is excited about this particular time of his high school football experience in more ways than one.
“Toledo has talked to my 7-on-7 coach about me some,” Smiciklas said. “But this spring will be huge for me. Going into my junior year, I can hopefully have some offers from the spring. I’m in the right place. I just have to perform.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde, Gene Nardi, and Pylon 7v7 Football
