The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team steamrolled Palm Bay Magnet High School on Friday, May 23 in Royal Palm Beach, taking a 21-7 win in the spring game.
Led by freshman quarterback Todd Centeio, the Wildcats exploded early in the first half, dominating the field and giving the Pirates a tough hill to climb.
The spring game is an opportunity for coaches to test new players in preparation for next year’s football season.
But Royal Palm Beach is returning several key starters, most notably Centeio, who was named starting quarterback his freshman year. Last season, he led the Wildcats to an 8-2 record. Already, Centeio has gotten the attention from major football universities, including the University of Miami.
The Wildcats landed the first blow when Centeio made a long pass to Da’Von Brown, who ran into the end zone for a touchdown. An extra-point kick made the score 7-0 early on.
Royal Palm Beach pushed forward, landing two more touchdowns in the first quarter.
With about six minutes on the clock, a pass by Centeio from near the 25-yard line found Marlon Eugene, who pushed through the Palm Bay defense to get into the end zone. An extra-point kick extended the RPBHS lead to 14-0.
After a long drive across the field, Centeio scored the Wildcat’s final touchdown of the night with a faked hand-off to Demarcus Holloway near the goal line.
Centeio ran around the outside and dove into the end zone, making it over the line despite a push from the Pirates.
The first quarter finished 21-0.
Though Palm Bay struggled against the Royal Palm Beach defense, the team managed a lone touchdown in the second quarter. With about 8 minutes on the clock, the Pirates were able to push into the end zone. An extra-point kick made the score 21-7.
It was the final score of the game. Both teams fought through the remaining quarters, including a failed field-goal attempt from each side.
The game finished with a 21-7 Wildcat win. Royal Palm Beach football returns in the fall.
ABOVE: Todd Centeio looks for an open receiver.
