The Palm Beach Central High School football team rebounded with a 48-0 shutout victory over Miami-Ferguson High School on Friday, Aug. 31, rebounding after a 14-0 season-opening loss to Atlantic High School the week before.
The Bronco offense piled up 42 points in the first half against the visiting Falcons. Palm Beach Central (1-1) was able to rotate players on the field through the night, according to coach Tino Ierulli.
“It was great for them because those kids bust their butt in practice,” he explained. “These are the type of games they need to get playing time.”
The first score of the game came quickly, when Bronco quarterback Michael Moreland connected with receiver Bryan Robinson on a 41-yard touchdown pass. Punt returner Gen’taris Oliver returned a Ferguson punt for a 71-yard score to put Palm Beach Central up 14-0 early in the first quarter.
Moreland found receiver Will Hamilton on a 66-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to extend the Bronco lead to 21-0. The Ferguson offense could not get anything going against a faster and more physical Bronco defense. Running back C.J. Stewart added to the Palm Beach Central lead with a 16-yard rushing score to put the Broncos up 28-0.
Bronco linebacker Griffin Lampton grabbed a score for the defense when he forced a Ferguson fumble and picked it up to carry it 31 yards for the touchdown to extend the Palm Beach Central lead to 35-0. Quarterback Anarjahe Douriet added the final score of the first half for the Broncos when he scrambled out of the pocket and advanced the ball on the ground from 15 yards out to lift his team to 42-0 at the half.
The Broncos only needed one more score in the second half to seal the win. Douriet linked up with receiver Kai Rosado on an 8-yard touchdown pass to put Palm Beach Central up 48-0 midway through the third quarter. Ferguson was able to hold the Broncos scoreless in the fourth quarter but could not close the margin.
The victory was much needed for the Broncos. “Week one’s loss against Atlantic was exactly what we needed to refocus the kids and wake them up and realize they have to work hard, no matter how much talent we have,” Ierulli said.
Stewart had five rushes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Moreland went 4-for-5 for 116 yards and two scores. Douriet completed six of nine passes for 87 yards, threw for a score and ran for one. Robinson reeled in three catches for 64 yards and a score. Hamilton totaled 79 yards on two receptions and one touchdown. Conroy Cunningham led the defense with 15 tackles with three for losses and a forced fumble. Kicker Tanner Naim went 6-for-6 on extra points.
Palm Beach Central hosts Braddock High School on Friday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.
