Ohio State commit Mark Fletcher runs for 184 yards in win over Naples

NAPLES, FLORIDA – Plantation-American Heritage brought its star-studded team to the west coast of Florida and did what it's done all season – beat another strong program.

The Patriots controlled the line of scrimmage, never punted, and won 35-17 at Naples High. Ranked No. 3 in SBLive's statewide poll, American Heritage traveled 90 minutes across South Florida's east-west thoroughfare Alligator Alley and knocked off the No. 19 Golden Eagles.

The Patriots (8-1) feature at least eight players with scholarship offers to Power Five colleges. However, the brightest star Friday was Ohio State commit Mark Fletcher. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound back pounded his way to 184 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 30 carries.

Fletcher's big night came against a Naples defense known for shutting down the run. The Golden Eagles (6-2) had only allowed 64 points in seven games this season before Friday.

"We knew (Naples) was a great team," Fletcher said. "We just had to lock in and play Heritage football. That's what we did tonight.
"Shout out to the guys up front. They're the only reason this happened."

Thanks to Fletcher's powerful legs, American Heritage moved the ball at will. The Patriots had the ball eight times. Seven times they drove inside the Naples 20-yard line, resulting in five touchdowns and two turnovers. The eighth possession was the final one of the game when American Heritage ran out the clock.

Fletcher scored on a 3-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. The Patriots took a 14-3 lead into halftime thanks to a 69-yard drive late in the second quarter. Fletcher had 46 yards on that drive alone.

The future Buckeye back had 18 carries for 93 yards in the first half, then 12 carries for 91 yards in the second half.

"We had to feed me the rock," Fletcher said. "Firepower. It was just firepower. Those guys up front (the offensive line), we were on them all week. We told them we were going to need a big game from them. They just opened up holes and I ran through them."

American Heritage did what most Southwest Florida teams can't do – beat Naples at home. The Golden Eagles hadn't lost on their Staver Field in more than four years, and that was to Miami-Palmetto.

Naples moved the ball at times, but mostly was held without the big explosive runs the Eagles' veer-option offense has been known for. The Eagles' only offensive touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter, when Arkansas recruit Isaiah Augustave had a 72-yard burst on fourth down.

Naples drove to the Patriots' 5-yard line on its first possession but had to settle for a 23-yard field goal from Harvey Sarajian. The Eagles' only other score was a 67-yard kickoff return from Ben Bouzi.

Augustave finished with 145 yards. Kendrick Raphael had 67 for Naples, which rushed for 257 yards compared to the Patriots' 224.

American Heritage quarterback Blake Murphy, committed to Louisiana-Monroe, threw for 160 yards. No. 1-ranked receiver Brandon Inniss, also headed to Ohio State, had four catches for 64 yards.

AMERICAN HERITAGE 35, NAPLES 17

AH 7 7 14 7 -- 35

N 3 0 7 7 -- 14

SCORING

First quarter

AH: Mark Fletcher 3 run (Wylie Shaw kick), 6:56

N: Harvey Sarajian 23 field goal, 2:15

Second quarter

AH: Blake Murphy 1 run (Shaw kick), 0:30

Third quarter

AH: Byron Louis 1 run (Shaw kick), 6:18

N: Ben Bouzi 67 kickoff return (Sarajian kick), 6:08

AH: Fletcher 6 run (Shaw kick), 2:36

Fourth quarter

N: Isaiah Augustave 72 run (Sarajian kick), 11:45

AH: Louis 1 run (Shaw kick), 9:06