Back in August, American Heritage coach Doug Socha wondered how good Nestor Lantigua could be.
He’s the fastest kid on the team, Socha said, but “we don’t have any film on him.” A nagging groin injury had kept Lantigua off the field, hindering his junior and senior seasons.
Despite that, Wingate, a Division II school in North Carolina, decided to offer Lantigua a scholarship because of that blazing speed.
“They’re getting an explosive player,” Socha said. “He’s a punt returner, kick returner, they’ll line him up at slot and at running back.”
Lantigua (5-11, 180, No. 42 on the Big Board) was at his best Sept. 17 against Glades Central. In that 20-18 loss, he returned a kick 90 yards for a touchdown, making the sideline his own personal drag-racing strip. He was a Post small schools All-Area honorable mention.
Lantigua, who averaged 13 yards a carry last season, should fit right in to Wingate’s high-tempo, no-huddle offense, which is similar to the Stallions’ game.
In other news, look for American Heritage to play Glades Central and Atlantic next season in its 2011 non-district games. Great matchups, those: Glades Central returns most of last year’s state-final squad and is a strong contender for preseason No. 1, and Atlantic has lots of young talent returning, setting up a Delray Beach battle to remember.
“We're working really hard right now. I see us having a lot of key returners coming back. Nine returners on offense. Nine, maybe 10 on defense. We expect to be back in the thick of things,” Socha said of his team.
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