BY GENE NARDI
Wellington High School’s football team traveled to Lantana on Friday, Aug. 29 and took on host Santaluces High School to open the regular season.
The Wolverines dominated the Chiefs 26-6, in what appeared to be the Shannon Patrick-to-Ahmmon Richards show. The dynamic duo connected six times for 150 yards and three scores. Patrick was 17 of 26 for 294 yards on the night.
The Wolverines started out of the gate on all eight cylinders, taking just three plays to march 80 yards for the score.
After the opening kickoff, Wellington opened up with quarterback Patrick firing a pass to receiver Jean Rene for a 30-yard gain. Using a no-huddle offense, two plays later, Patrick threw to receiver Richards for the 50-yard touchdown pass. Alex Ng’s kick made it 7-0.
A failed onside kick for the Wolverines placed the Chiefs with decent field position, but Santaluces could not muster enough offense, including a fourth-and-7 attempt that ended in disaster as the Wellington defense swarmed the Santaluces quarterback for a loss, turning over the ball.
Wellington, utilizing the no-huddle offense, continued to pick apart the Chiefs’ defense. Patrick orchestrated a 65-yard drive, then connected with Richards on a fourth-and-goal from 5 yards out for the 13-0 lead, but Ng’s kick was no good. Wellington attempted another onside kick, only to give the Chiefs good field position once again.
The second quarter gave the Chiefs new life, as they drove to the Wellington 1-yard line but failed to convert on a fourth-and-goal attempt. Wolverine defensive lineman Keegan Sullivan stuffed the middle on a Chief handoff and forced them back for a loss on the play.
Santaluces gambled midway into the second quarter with a deep pass down the sideline. Richards grabbed the ball out of the air and returned it for a 30-yard gain, setting up Wellington’s next score. Patrick capped a 70-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Richards. Ng’s kick was blocked, and the Wolverines led 19-0 at the end of the half.
In the second half, Wellington would grab one more score, with Patrick connecting to Rene to extend the Wolverine lead. Ng’s kick gave Wellington a comfortable 26-0 lead. The Chiefs did periodically move the ball, but the Wellington defense came up big when it had to.
Santaluces finally added a score in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass, but it proved to be too little, too late, as Wellington earned the convincing 26-6 victory.
Both Rene and Richards are credited with interceptions on defense. Rene also collected 65 receiving yards.
Wellington will host West Boca High School on Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
ABOVE: Wolverine receiver Austin Gilman finds a gap between two Santaluces defenders.
