BY GENE NARDI
If you visit Royal Palm Beach High School’s football camp, you will understand why the team is on a mission toward success.
Last year, the Wildcats finished with an impressive 8-2 record but fell short of the playoffs, something head coach Willie Bueno stressed that the returning players have not forgotten.
“We’re in a seven-team district, and even though we had two early district losses, we won six straight. The kids kept playing as hard as they could,” Bueno said.
He noted that many key players return this season, with only 10 graduating last year. Much of last season served as a learning tool for the athletes, and they have shown maturity on and off the field, Bueno said.
Offensively, the Wildcats are stacked with return sophomore quarterback Toddy Centeio. He demonstrated solid leadership on offense last season as a freshman and will be a dual threat to defenses everywhere.
“He has grown, and will be a really good player here for years to come,” Bueno said of Centeio.
The Wildcats are also very strong in the backfield, with Charles Perry, Shamar Jackson and Demarcus Holloway, who has been the leading rusher for the Wildcats the last two years.
“We’ve got pretty good depth on the offensive line, too, so we’re really excited about that,” Bueno added.
Senior Derick Python returns at the receiving position, and junior Da’Von Brown will be added to the receiving corps this year. He has had a very successful camp thus far.
Defensively, senior duo Xavier Pratt and Drequion Johnson will anchor the defensive line, with Holloway and Perry at the linebacker positions, backing them up. Jackson, Python and Cody Taylor will pick up in the secondary. “These are guys who have been through it a little bit, so they’re experienced,” Bueno said.
Junior linebacker Marlon Eugene and Tyrone Williams have also shown promise on defense. “We’re really excited about these guys playing well,” Bueno said.
Devin Wallace returns at the kicking game for the Wildcats after having a solid year last year. He has also improved, Bueno said.
Jackson, Perry and Holloway will most likely serve as the kick-return trio, so look for plenty of things to happen when they get their hands on the ball.
Bueno added that the entire team has shown dedication to training in the off-season and have hit the weight room through the summer to prepare for the fall.
The outlook is positive, and with many return players, the Wildcats are certain to contend for the District 13-7A title this fall. However, to get there, they will have to face defending state champion William T. Dwyer High School, runner-up West Boca Raton High School, along with Atlantic, Forest Hill, Lake Worth, Olympic Heights and Palm Beach Lakes high schools.
Royal Palm Beach will travel to Fort Pierce Central on Friday, Aug. 22 for a kickoff classic game at 7 p.m. They will host cross-town rival Palm Beach Central High School in the regular season opener on Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
ABOVE: Members of the Royal Palm Beach football squad finish their first day of school practice and look to cool off.
