BY GENE NARDI
The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team hosted Fort Lauderdale High School in the regional quarterfinal game Friday, Nov. 14 and steamrolled to a 44-13 win. The victory means the Wildcats advance into the regional semifinal game in a rematch with Atlantic High School.
The Wildcats (10-1) were firing on all cylinders through the night, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead with pair of scores from dynamic duo Charles Perry and Shamar Jackson. Perry scored first, on a 57-yard run. On the following drive, Jackson capped a six-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to add to the lead.
Derick Python made a post-season impression with a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter to extend the Wildcats’ lead to 20-0. He also added a 74-yard interception return for a score that later gave Royal Palm Beach a 30-7 lead.
Jackson added an 87-yard touchdown run to the tally, putting the game out of reach for Fort Lauderdale. The Wildcats eventually cashed out with the decisive 44-13 quarterfinal victory.
Jackson had seven carries for 113 yards, and Perry had a season high of 147 yards on 17 carries.
Quarterback Toddy Centeio is credited with 126 yards through the air and the final touchdown for the Wildcats.
Royal Palm Beach will host district foe Atlantic in the regional semifinal game Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats defeated Atlantic 44-7 earlier in the season.
ABOVE:  Royal Palm’s Derick Python stiff-arms a Fort Lauderdale defender for a big gain after a reception.
