BY GENE NARDI
Wellington High School hosted Palm Beach Gardens High School on Friday, Nov. 1 in a district match-up, falling 20-9 to the Gators.
The No. 6 Gators had to come from behind to steal the victory from the Wolverines. The first quarter closed scoreless. It was clear that Wellington was playing for pride, and the Gators found themselves in a battle as they trailed at the end of the first half 6-0.
Wellington (3-6, 0-3) took the lead when receiver Ahmmon Richards caught a 55-yard bomb from quarterback Devin Bolden. Alex Ng’s point-after kick was wide.
The Gators (6-3, 3-0) responded with a four-play drive and took the lead 7-6. Ng lifted the Wolverines into the lead with a 44-yard field goal to make it 9-7.
Gardens ended the first half with a 40-yard field goal of their own to retake the lead 10-9.
Both teams battled back-and-forth to establish control. The Gators held Wellington to less than 5 yards rushing, but it was Bolden’s 311 yards passing that gave the Wolverines life with the hopes of an upset in the making.
Both teams threatened to score inside the red zone, but Wellington’s six turnovers put out the fire from any spark the passing game provided. Palm Beach Gardens attempted to convert twice on fourth and short, once for a score, and were stopped by Wellington’s defense.
“Stupid mistakes, fumbling and throwing interceptions cost us,” Wellington coach Thomas Abel said. “I was happy with the way everybody played, and it was a great match-up tonight. This is a great football team.”
Wellington will close out its season on the road against John I. Leonard High School on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
ABOVE: Running back Kyle Branch breaks a tackle to the outside.
