Back to school means the return of Friday night lights at football games. This year’s team has one of the strongest schedules they’ve had in a while, and in preparation, spent all summer practicing and conditioning.
The Patriots are 1-1 after losing 37-28 to Milton, the strongest football team in Georgia, and then spanking Western 51-12. With the season only just beginning, here are two big matchups to watch out for:
Sept. 6 – Heritage vs. Chaminade-Madonna
The Patriots beat this team back in 2021 by two points, but then lost by eight points in 2022 after the Chaminade-Madonna Lions pulled away in the fourth quarter. Last year (2023), they played at Heritage, and Chaminade came ready to play, taking a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Patriots slowly came back, but it wasn’t enough, ultimately losing 28-16. This year, despite playing away, the Patriots are looking for redemption.
Both teams are nationally ranked (Chaminade being #42 and Heritage being #14), which definitely makes this a game worth watching.
Oct. 25 – Heritage vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
A matchup between two of the arguably biggest football powerhouses comes to Fort Lauderdale late October. It’s been a few years since these teams last played in 2021. To put this in context, this year’s seniors haven’t seen these two play since they were freshmen. At that game, Heritage was up 14-7 at halftime but the Saint Thomas Raiders pulled away in the second half of the game, scoring 17 more points while Heritage only scored two more. The final that year was 24-16, so Heritage wants to reclaim the throne this year.
The Raiders are ranked eighth nationally and third in Florida while the Patriots are right behind them at fourth in Florida, so this is really anyone’s game. To be determined…
Heritage versus Chaminade-Madonna has been a rivalry for years. This year, the Patriots have conditioned and practiced in order to defeat the Chaminade-Madonna Lions. (Photo/Peyton Barnett)
