Top 25 Early Contenders high school football team preview: No. 11 American Heritage

Bringing in a new coach usually requires an adjustment period.

But new American Heritage head coach Pat Surtain, who played 11 years in the NFL with the Chiefs and Dolphins, wants his Patriots coming out firing on all cylinders.

The South Florida school boasts nine elite recruits in the senior class.

They also have one of the nation's top rising juniors in the coach's son, cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Aside from former head coach Mike Rumph, who is now at the University of Miami, the coaching staff is fully intact.

Surtain was the team's defensive coordinator the last four years when Rumph, a fellow veteran of the NFL and defensive back, led the Patriots to a 46-8 record and back-to-back state titles in 2013 and 2014.

Last year, American Heritage went 9-2 but was upset in the second round of the 5A state playoffs by Hallandale 27-20.

"We kind of fell short of our goal last year, but it was still a successful season," Surtain said. "We kept the continuity of our staff together. As a head coach you're only as good as your assistants. These guys do a tremendous job. They take it serious."

See the American Heritage Early Contenders photo shoot

As far as replacing Rumph, Surtain told David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel: "It's some of the same principals, but at the same time you want to put your imprint on the team. I'm the head coach and I want it to take on my personality."

That means watch for a defensive onslaught.

The Players
Up front, defensive tackle George Ellis III (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) leads the charge. He has 10 college offers, including Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

Ellis said of the new head coach: "He's a father figure to a lot of us. We can talk to him about anything. He's somebody we can trust."

James Houston IV (6-2, 220), with 28 college offers, leads the linebacking contingent. The secondary, led by Top 100 recruit Surtain II (6-2, 187), and cornerbacks Marco Wilson (5-11, 163) and Tyson Campbell (6-2, 170) might be one of the best in the country.

Another cornerback, 6-2, 170-pound senior Anthony Schwartz ran a wind-aided 10.26-second 100-meters for the track team in the spring, tied for fourth in the country.

"We have speed, athletes and good football players," Surtain said. "It's exciting."

Returning quarterback Jason Brown (6-3, 195) should feel very secure with the massive tackle tandem of Tedarrell Slaton Jr. (6-6, 338) and Kai-Leon Herbert (6-5, 276).

Slaton is ranked the 35th best recruit overall in the country — he looks headed to either Michigan or Florida State — and Herbert No. 166. He has 25 offers led by Miami, Florida, Tennessee and Michigan. Plantation transfer Robert Hawkins (6-5, 265) has also looked good on both sides of the ball.

Brown has plenty of weapons, including running back Jordan Johnson, tight end Robzel Sylvester and wide receivers Dontavius Butler and Laress Nelson.

The Keys
All that talent will be tested early with consecutive games against No. 34 Booker T. Washington (Miami, Fla.), No. 38 Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.) and No. 35 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

The Patriots host BTW and Don Bosco, but travel to Colquitt. All the games take place before September, so Surtain and his troops will need to be at midseason form right away.

"We don't shy away from the competition," Surtain said. "We embrace it. I think we stack up against anyone."

American Heritage Game Film: Jason Brown is a playmaker

The key appears to getting the offense up to speed quickly. The line is set, so getting the skill guys in sync will be essential.

Brown, a dual threat, accounted for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.

"We're doing a couple things different but Coach Rumph did a tremendous job," Surtain said. "It's my turn to take it to the next level."