Welcome to Brian Piccolo Stadium, where the American Heritage Patriots travel to face the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the 21st season of the Great American Rivalry Series. 

Leading up to the upcoming matchup, St. Thomas Aquinas remains undefeated in the all-time series. The Raiders narrowly won their last meeting with a 24-16 victory. However, American Heritage seeks their first victory in the series and will be led by Dia Bell, a Texas University commit and the second-ranked quarterback in the 2026 class. 

Brian Piccolo Stadium will be an electric environment that night, with over 4,000 fans witnessing these talent-filled teams in action. Both schools boast a history of former athletes excelling in the NFL; American Heritage is home to two-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain II, while St. Thomas Aquinas counts four-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa among its alumni. 

Mark your calendar for October 25th, 2024, for what promises to be a thrilling Florida football affair. 

We Know Friday Nights

  

MVP

Dia Bell
American Heritage

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Nicholas Romero

St. Thomas Aquinas

Nicholas is a valuable player for the Raiders of St. Thomas Aquinas High School. On the field playing as a Kicker, not only does he perform exceedingly well on the field, but in the classroom. Nicholas has an impressive 4.659 GPA at St. Thomas Aquinas High School! A member of the National Honor Society and on the Principals Honor Roll, in his future he plans on studying business in college.
Mekhi Hicks

American Heritage

Mekhi has shown all the qualities needed to be a scholar athlete for American Heritage. Playing on the field as a Defensive Back, while not on the field he has attended Heritage since 5th grade. Mekhi is also a member of the National Honor Society. He has impressively made the honor roll every quarter since 2nd grade. Mekhi will graduate with over 550 community service hours.

GAME SUMMARY

It was an exciting night of football between St. Thomas Aquinas and American Heritage at Brian Piccolo Stadium. The Patriots of American Heritage defeated the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders 42-38 in an epic battle. This emotional game marked the Patriots' first-ever win against St. Thomas Aquinas. The back-and-forth battle for the lead culminated when American Heritage erased a 10-point deficit in the final minutes of the game. American Heritage quarterback and verbal Texas commit, Dia Bell, was named game MVP after his pivotal 47-yard touchdown late in the game. The Raiders were not finished as they drove the ball late in the game, but momentum was stopped by American Heritage as they intercepted St. Thomas Aquinas, sealing their 4-point victory. With a thrilling and historic game, it was an unforgettable night of football, where both teams left it all on the field, and the Patriots attained a landmark achievement for their program!