Heritage High qualified for the state playoffs for the third consecutive year last season, but the Panthers failed to win a playoff game for the third time in a row.
As Heritage embarks on a new class and district, it’ll look to snap that losing streak by improving their placement in the district.
“We’re just trying to get their intensity and be excited when we make plays,” Heritage head coach Mykel Benson said. “It could just be because we’re going against each other all the time, but we want to keep that intensity. Practice has been good. We’re just cleaning up some things.”
The Panthers finished last season with a 4-7 record. They were the district runner-up to Martin County, resulting in them earning the No. 8 seed in Region 4. They fell in the first round of the state playoffs to eventual state champion St. Thomas Aquinas.
“We need to clean up the discipline and making this team a team,” Benson said. “I think they see the difference between last year and this year just trusting each other and playing together.”
It was an offensive struggle for Heritage last season, but thanks to the play of its defense it remained in almost every game last season.
The Panthers averaged 15.5 points per game last season while the defense allowed 24.7 points per game. They suffered three defeats by one possession last season.
“It put a lot (of pressure on the defense). We had a lot of turnovers, especially in the beginning of big games,” Benson said. “It’s Florida. If you’re on the field for 60-plus snaps for defense, it’s a long day.”
Heritage is replacing a lot of production on offense after the graduation of quarterback Jordan Pidala, 971 of the team’s 1,474 rushing yards, and leading receiver Nathaniel Owens.
Senior Christian Ryder Borhi will start at quarterback after transferring from Abraham Lincoln in Brooklyn, New York. Last year, Borhi compiled 2,245 total yards and 20 total touchdowns.
“We got a lot of playmakers. Our quarterback Christian (Ryder Borhi) is a big addition for us coming from New York. He’s a smart kid,” Benson said. “He understands the game. He understands what we want to happen on offense. He’s a really good leader. He makes sure everybody’s in the right spot too.”
Benson said Heritage will continue to lean on its rugged defense, including senior linebacker Anthony Hicks.
“We’re a really disciplined defense. I expect them to fly around and make plays,” Benson said. “What I want to see from our defense is a little bit more turnovers. I want to win the turnover margin this year. That’s my biggest goal for them.:”
The Panthers will compete in District 13-4A this season alongside Jensen Beach, Legacy, Port St. Lucie, Sebastian River and Fort Pierce Westwood.
They’ll open the regular season on Aug. 21 against Melbourne. Benson said the focus is on one game at a time.
“1-0 is our goal and then when we get to district play, we got to win our district games,” Benson said. “Right now, we just got to take it one week at a time and then as we get to the next week, we just got to handle our business of getting better every week and get really good towards the end of the season.”
Head coach: Mykel Benson begins his fourth season as Heritage’s head coach.
Postseason history: Heritage’s three straight playoff appearances in 2023-25 is the longest streak since 2012-15.
Playoff seasons: ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21, ’23, ’24, ‘25
Playoff record: 7-11
2026 Heritage High Schedule
Aug. 14 vs. Rockledge (Kickoff Classic) 7 p.m.
Aug. 21 vs. Melbourne, 7 p.m.
Aug. 28 vs. Eau Gallie, 7 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Viera, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. Legacy Charter, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Fort Pierce Westwood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Cocoa, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Sebastian River, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9 vs. Jensen Beach, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15 at Port St. Lucie 6 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Melbourne Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Tour of Brevard: Heritage seeks more offense to aid stingy defense