The Seminole Ridge High School football team hosted district rival Palm Beach Gardens High School on Friday, Sept. 14 in a battle of the unbeaten, but it was the Hawks that remained undefeated after finishing off the Gators in overtime 21-14.
The Hawks (3-0) relied on the talent of sophomore receiver Brandon Schabert. Quarterback Kaimyn Castilla linked up with Schabert for all three of the Hawks’ touchdowns.
The first came late in the first half after both teams struggled offensively. Castilla found an airborne Schabert on a 13-yard score that finished off a 70-yard drive. The Seminole Ridge defense forced two Gator turnovers in the first half, but had difficulty moving the ball offensively against an equally determined Palm Beach Gardens defense.
Palm Beach Gardens tied the game late when Castilla threw a pass that was tipped and picked off by a Gator cornerback, which set up the equalizing score for Palm Beach Gardens. Running back Antonio Outler ran the ball in for the Gator touchdown to send the game into overtime.
Credit the Hawks’ defense for making pivotal stops inside the Seminole Ridge zone for fending off the Gator offensive unit in the first half. The Hawks even forced a Gator field goal attempt inside the 30-yard line in the first half that sailed wide of the upright.
In the second half, Castilla hooked up with Schabert on an 85-yard touchdown pass, giving the Hawks’ momentum. The momentum was fueled by Castilla completing 12 straight passes. Schabert reeled in 142 yards on 10 receptions and is credited with all three scores.
The game-winning play in overtime for the Hawks came when Castilla hit Schabert on a 10-yard touchdown pass to lift Seminole Ridge up 21-14. Outler, the Gator running back, had a chance to tie the game, but he fumbled the ball away just before reaching the end zone after a 10-yard run toward the goal. The Hawks sealed the overtime victory 21-14.
In the end, Castilla completed 15 of 19 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Seminole Ridge remained unbeaten at 3-0 atop the District 9-8A standings.
The Hawks travel to Boynton Beach High School on Friday, Sept. 21 to take on the Tigers at 6 p.m.
