The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team continued its winning streak Friday, Oct. 19 when the Wildcats hosted Lake Worth High School, defeating the Trojans 23-8.
Though the rain and mud had both teams struggling to keep control of the ball, the Wildcats pushed through the elements, holding the Trojans to a single touchdown while scoring two safeties.
As the rain poured down throughout the first quarter, the teams were gridlocked, with neither able to move the ball close enough to score.
The game got started midway through the second quarter when the Wildcats tackled Lake Worth’s James Jones in the Trojans’ end zone, scoring a safety. The rare move put the Wildcats on the board 2-0, shifting the game’s momentum.
Minutes later, Wildcat quarterback Anthony McGrew threw a pass to Jimmy Moreland, who ran 46 yards for a touchdown. An attempt at a 2-point conversion failed, but Royal Palm Beach extended its lead to 8-0 with 6:43 left in the half.
But Lake Worth responded on its next possession with a long drive, dominating nearly the rest of the half. Though the Trojans had trouble building momentum at first, pushed back by several fumbles and penalties, they were able to drive the ball about 80 yards in nine plays.
With two minutes left, Lake Worth completed a pass in the end zone for a touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion, despite being pushed back for a holding penalty, tied the score at 8.
The Wildcats made little use of their remaining time, turning the ball back over on downs within a minute. But Lake Worth ran the clock out to go into halftime with a tied game.
In the second half of the game, Royal Palm Beach dominated the field. The Wildcats were able to hold back the Trojan offense while breaking through its defense. For the second time in the game, the Wildcats tackled a Lake Worth ball carrier in the Trojans’ own end zone for a safety, giving Royal Palm Beach the lead at 10-8.
Demarcus Holloway then ran in a 1-yard touchdown to extend the Wildcat lead to 16-8 going into the final quarter of the game.
Moreland secured the win in the fourth quarter, intercepting a Trojan pass and running in a touchdown. An extra-point kick brought the final score to 23-8.
The Wildcats next travel to Atlantic High School on Friday, Oct. 26 for a 7 p.m. game.
Above: Wildcat Jojo Williams is brought down by the Trojan defense.
