The Palm Beach Central High School football team is expected to continue its winning ways on the gridiron this coming fall.
After a series of deep post-season runs in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 7A playoffs in recent seasons, Palm Beach Central is preparing for another strong journey this season.
According to PBCHS head football coach Kevin Thompson, the foundation of the team’s expected success this fall started in June with off-season conditioning workouts.
Those summer fitness sessions continued through June and into late July. To date, more than 110 players have been participating in running sprints, doing calisthenics and lifting weights.
“We took our team to Dyer Park and Okeeheelee Park to run the hills in both locations,” Thompson said. “Our players have been pushing the blocking sleds, and they have been running 110-yard sprints and 30-yard sprints. Our goal is to get physically stronger and mentally tougher.”
Palm Beach Central does not return many starters, but there are a number of seniors on this year’s squad.
“We have three returning starters on offense and four on defense. One of those seven starters is senior quarterback Chance Routson,” Thompson said. “This year, we have many seniors who have experience playing high school football who are new to our program or are new to starting.”
Thompson likes the mindset of the players on this year’s team.
“We have a very mature team this year. All the players are very team-oriented,” Thompson explained.
This season, Palm Beach Central will be in the same FHSAA Class 7A district as Wellington High School, Palm Beach Lakes High School and Jupiter High School.
The Broncos open their season with three playoff-caliber teams. On Friday, Aug. 15, Palm Beach Central plays Atlantic High School in a pre-season kickoff classic. The Broncos will open the regular season against Pahokee High School on Friday, Aug. 22 and West Boca Raton High School on Friday, Aug. 29.
