BY GENE NARDI
The Palm Beach Central High School varsity football squad traveled to John I. Leonard High School on Thursday, Oct. 17 and shut out the Lancers 40-0.
The Broncos relied on a punishing ground game to get the job done. Palm Beach Central compiled 230 yards on the ground and only put the ball in the air five times. The running game was led by Palm Beach County’s leading rusher, Tommy McDonald (952 yards). He powered his way with 102 yards on 15 carries against the Lancers. He was credited with three touchdowns.
Palm Beach Central put up 33 points in the first half, and limited the Lancers to just 76 total yards. The Broncos (4-3, 2-1 in District 10-8A) opened it up on their first possession when McDonald ran in for the score from three yards out. Jordan Acham’s point-after attempt was good, for an early 7-0 lead.
The Broncos needed just two and a half minutes to get on the board. Rudolph St. Germain snared in a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kemar Downer to add to the lead. Acham’s point after extended it to 14-0.
McDonald entered another score on the board from 3 yards out, but Acham’s kick was blocked to Palm Beach Central a 20-0 advantage in the second quarter.
Bronco running back Jhnard Dorsett reached paydirt with a 15-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed, but the Broncos extended their lead to 26-0.
McDonald scored his third of the night from 6 yards out. Acham’s point after was good, to give the Broncos a 33-0 halftime lead.
Palm Beach Central never punted the ball away until the end of the third quarter. The Lancers were then forced into a punt situation, and St. Germain returned the punt 70 yards for the touchdown. Acham’s point after sealed the 40-0 Bronco victory.
Palm Beach Central is now 4-1 after an 0-2 start, since quarterback Kemar Downer has stepped in.
The Broncos will travel to Spanish River High School for a district match-up Friday, Oct. 25.
ABOVE: Bronco running back Jhnard Dorsett finds room to run.
