BY GENE NARDI
The Wellington High School flag football team hosted rival Royal Palm Beach High School on Thursday, March 17 and held on to a 7-0 lead to seal the Wolverines’ first win early in the season.
It may not have been the typical offensive showcase common in girls flag football, but that was due mostly to the stellar defensive performances by both teams.
Wellington (1-2), coming off of two close defeats at the hands of Palm Beach Lakes and Jupiter high schools, did just enough on offense for the lone score, and let its defense be the workhorse the rest of the way, reeling in two interceptions to deny the Wildcats the opportunity to tie it up.
Royal Palm Beach managed to move into the red zone twice but was cut short by an aggressive Wolverine defense.
The game remained scoreless until the two-minute mark of the first half. Wellington quarterback Allyson Goolsby connected with Victoria Campanale on a 26-yard touchdown pass. The point after reception by Jordan Goodstein gave Wellington the 7-0 lead before the end of the first half.
The second half started with the Wolverines going three and out due to a motivated Wildcat defense. Defense dominated the remainder of the contest. Freshman cornerback Tamia Augustin jumped in front of a Wellington receiver for an interception and managed a 22-yard return, nearly breaking in for a score. The following play, Ashley Knoblauch picked off a Royal Palm Beach pass to give possession back to the Wolverines, but the team was unable to extend its lead.
Royal Palm Beach threatened again in the fourth quarter, driving into the Wellington red zone, but the Wolverine defense refused to crumble under the pressure and held on for the 7-0 victory.
Goolsby threw for a touchdown and recorded an interception on defense. Campanale is credited with the lone touchdown, and Knoblauch recorded an interception for the Wolverines.
Augustin had one interception for the Wildcats. A.G. Grauer recorded three sacks for Royal Palm Beach.
Both teams had the week off due to spring break but will resume play next week.
ABOVE:Â Wellington quarterback Allyson Goolsby rolls out to avoid a sack from Royal Palm Beach rusher A.G. Grauer.
