FORT LAUDERDALE- What began as a defensive stalemate turned into an all-offensive track and field contest Friday night between Plantation American Heritage and the Milton Eagles, last year’s Class 7A champions from Georgia and ranked No. 6 nationally.

In the end, it came down to a handful of plays that favored …. The … were able to rely on quarterback … to throw … touchdowns and lead … to a … victory over … at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

American Heritage started the opening period with a field goal by Gavin Harvey to take a 3-0 lead. On the next possession, Milton answered the bell.

Eastern Kentucky’s TJ Lester (22 carries, 147 yards) scored the game’s first touchdown, a 3-yard run that gave the Eagles a 7-3 lead. Milton ended the period with the lead, but American Heritage fought back.

The Patriots scored a couple more field goals from Harvey in the second quarter before Milton quarterback Luke Nickel (signed to Miami) threw his first touchdown of the game, an 11-yard pass to wide receiver Tristen Payne.

This was the start of the offensive fireworks that continued until halftime, when Texas-committed Dia Bell answered for American Heritage, throwing a 21-yard touchdown pass to Miami (FL)-committed Malachi Toney. The Patriots had regained the lead, but it would not last long.

Milton got the ball back with just over a minute left in the half, but it took the Eagles less to get on the scoreboard. Lester would hit the bullseye again, this time with a 6-yard run that gave Milton a 20-16 lead at halftime.

Milton (2-0) continued to put pressure on American Heritage in the second half and the Eagles extended their lead to double digits when Georgia commit Ethan Barbour scored on a 1-yard run.

American Heritage (0-1) answered on its next possession when running back Byron Louis (18 carries, 167 yards) scored a 67-yard touchdown to trail 27-22 with eight minutes left in the game.

A field goal by Eagles kicker Alex Nover increased Milton’s lead to 30-22, but the Patriots had a chance to tie the score in the final quarter. Bell (10 of 20, 120 yards) connected with Toney for an 8-yard touchdown, and on the ensuing 2-point attempt, the signal caller was stopped one yard short of tying the score.

The Eagles sealed the win when Nickel hit Barbour on a short pass that the tight end carried 71 yards to the goal line, giving Milton a 37-28 lead.

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–Andy Villamarzo | [email protected] | @sblivefl