The challenge: Head coach Joseph Morgan’s team is young but he’s optimistic the Patriots can win the district championship for the sixth consecutive season.
But for five seasons, American lost in the first round of the playoffs, and last year’s loss to Columbus is a rallying cry for the upcoming season, when American travels to play powerhouse Miami Northwestern on Saturday, August 27.
Morgan indicated playing a storied program will put his players in a different environment but they must live up to the challenge.
“We are preparing for Northwestern the same way as we prepare for any game,” Morgan said. “We are a football team and they are a football team. They have a storied history and the surrounding atmosphere is a little tense but our players must learn to perform under those circumstances and perform well.”
And the Patriots’ schedule gets tougher from there.
They play Miami Norland the following week, division rivals Hialeah Gardens, North Miami, Dr. Michael Krop and North Miami Beach, Carol City and Palm Beach’s powerhouse Oxbridge Academy.
Losing star players from last year’s division-winning team, Morgan is looking for young players to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight to help American win another district championship.
The young players will be guided by senior quarterback Tyree Bibby’s leadership, who can take the team as far as the players want to go, and continuing the winning tradition under former head coaches Corey Bell and Anthony White.
The competition for a starting running back is fierce as a group of young players are trying hard to impress Morgan during practices.
Morgan is high on his receiving corps, including Marquez Jackson, Javon Gary and Andre Reynolds.
Morgan, who served as American’s defensive coordinator and defensive back coach, said his defense looks solid on paper and in practice, despite losing a lot of players from last year’s squad.
He said the real test for his defense comes in the team’s season opener.
American had one of the best defensive units in Miami-Dade County under Morgan last season.
“We look solid,” Morgan said. “But we learn how good we are playing other teams.”