Bright House Sports Network’s preseason countdown of the Top 20 football teams in Central Florida continues today with No. 9.
No. 9 Heritage Panthers
Head Coach: Mark Ainsley
2013 Record: 12-1 (lost to Miami Central 54-3 in 6A region finals)
Key Returners: RB Josh Gaines, OL Jonathan Shepherd, OL/DL Shamar David, DL Darrian Abney, RB Josh Harden
Key Losses: QB Clinton Moxam, DB Dedric Witherspoon, OL Brodie Lubelski, LB Aaron Wolfe, DL Auston Wolfe
Kickoff Classic: at Gainesville, 7 (Aug. 22)
Team Outlook: Heritage is entering its sixth season of football but the Panthers have already elevated themselves to the level of Brevard County’s elite programs. Heritage has 22 wins the last two seasons but went through an offseason coaching change. Mark Ainsley, formerly of Holy Trinity, replaced Ajay Ulmer, the only previous coach in school history. Moxam’s graduation leaves a huge hole at quarterback, but Gaines should help ease the transition. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of his first two high school seasons. There will be a number of new faces on defense, which allowed less than a touchdown per game in the regular season. Heritage will get a strong early test from rival Palm Bay in week two. The Panthers topped the Pirates for the first time ever last year.