BY GENE NARDI
On Friday, Oct. 16, the Wellington High School varsity football team hosted district rival Jupiter High School, rolling to a 45-28 homecoming victory to remain unbeaten in District 9-8A.
Wellington entered the game as the county’s eighth-ranked team and now sits atop the district.
The Wolverines (5-3, 3-0) wasted little time getting on the board. The team scored on its first two possessions, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead. The Richards brothers accounted for the Wolverines’ first two scores. The first touchdown was a 64-yard pass to Ahmmon Richards from quarterback Blake Dever. The second was a 72-yard touchdown run from Ahmmon’s younger brother, freshman running back Mark Anthony.
It appeared early on that Wellington would be on its way to a rout of winless Jupiter, but the Warriors pushed back, tying the game 14-14 at the start of the second quarter. The Wolverines immediately responded to regain the lead. Dever connected with receiver Austin Gilman for a 64-yard touchdown. Logan Robinson’s kick gave Wellington a 21-14 edge.
Jupiter, determined to plow toward victory, evened the score at 21-21. The Wolverines would drive to the Warriors’ 14-yard line, but a fumble negated a scoring chance to regain the lead just before the end of the half.
Wellington’s defense started stronger in the second half, holding Jupiter and giving the offense a chance to retake the lead. Ahmmon Richards hauled in a 65-yard pass from Dever for the go-ahead score at 28-21.
Jupiter would battle back, scoring once more, but the Wellington offense was too much for the Warriors to handle.
Junior running back Elroy Taylor scored twice more for the Wolverines, the first on a 53-yard pass from Dever, then on a 33-yard run to propel Wellington to a 42-28 lead. Robinson capped the night with a 36-yard field goal to close out the win, 45-28.
“We averaged 40 points a game last year, and now we’re back up to that standard again,” Wellington coach Tom Abel said.
Dever completed 10 of 14 passes for 304 yards and four touchdowns. Ahmmon Richards reeled in three receptions for 164 yards and two scores. Gilman had three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Chris Atkinson caught three passes for 33 yards. Mark Anthony Richards had four rushes for 88 yards and a score. Taylor recorded eight rushes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Wellington totaled over 500 yards of offense.
The Wolverines traveled to Palm Beach Gardens High School on Thursday, Oct. 22, but results were not available at press time.
ABOVE: Receiver Ahmmon Richards runs for Wellington’s first touchdown.
