BY GENE NARDI
On Friday, Oct. 2, the Royal Palm Beach High School football squad hosted Palm Beach Lakes High School for a District 13-7A match, and the Wildcats rallied in the second half to defeat the Rams 29-25.
The win also capped homecoming week for the school. The Wildcats have improved to 3-3 (2-0 in the district) on the season. It also keeps them deep in the race for the district title.
Both teams struggled for momentum early, as they traded possession in the first quarter. The Rams blocked a Royal Palm Beach punt and recovered the ball on the Wildcats’ 20-yard line, which set up a 25-yard touchdown pass for the Rams to take an early 6-0 lead.
To close the first quarter, Royal Palm Beach kept its offense on the field to attempt to convert on a fourth-and-eight on the 50-yard line. Royal Palm Beach quarterback Josh Carr connected with receiver Lamar Phillips for a gain of 24 to move the chains. The offense had to settle for a 27-yard field goal to close the margin to 6-3.
Royal Palm Beach took its first lead of the game from the defense. Davon Brown returned an interception 20 yards for the score. The Wildcats held on to a tight 10-6 lead. Palm Beach Lakes responded with a 20-yard touchdown run to retake the lead, 13-10, with a little over five minutes left in the first half. The Wildcats were unable to close the gap and entered halftime down by three.
Royal Palm Beach rallied in the second half behind Carr leading the offense to put up 19 points. Telvis Lawler, Adarius Dent and a collaborative effort from others worked together to propel the Wildcats into the win column. The win did not come easily, as the Rams battled back, scoring 12 points in the second half, but fell short. Brown was instrumental on defense for the Wildcats.
The victory puts the Wildcats at .500 on the season and unbeaten in district play. With a tough road ahead, Royal Palm Beach will have a bye week Friday, Oct. 9. The season picks back up hosting district foe William T. Dwyer High School on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Both teams are unbeaten in district play.
ABOVE: Royal Palm Beach cornerback Davon Brown returns an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter.
