BY GENE NARDI
The Palm Beach Central High School varsity football squad hosted powerhouse Glades Central High School on Friday, Sept. 5 and fell to the Raiders 20-0 before a capacity crowd.
The much-anticipated match-up, with new Broncos head coach TinoIerulli facing the coach he replaced at the end of last season (Rod Harris), now the Glades Central defensive coordinator, did not disappoint. The two Palm Beach County top-10 teams went head-to-head after a 45-minute lightning delay.
The two-time district champion and ninth-ranked Broncos (0-2) were unable to climb onto the scoreboard during the night, against what may arguably be one of the best defenses in Palm Beach County, in the No. 5 Raiders.
The Raiders (2-0) gave up just seven points to William T. Dwyer High School, the defending Class 7A state champions. Palm Beach Central was held to 175 yards of total offense.
The Raiders took only three plays on their opening drive to march 59 yards for their first of three scores on the night to take an early 7-0 lead. Glades Central would score on its second drive as well, to extend the lead to 14-0.
The Broncos struggled offensively. Quarterback Savion Harris had little time to throw the ball and was sacked frequently. In the second quarter, the Broncos eventually found a rhythm and put together a 60-yard drive to the Raider 17-yard line and attempted a 36-yard field goal that was blocked.
Credit must go to the Bronco defense, though, for rising up in the first half, stifling the Raiders from finding the end zone after an interception deep in Bronco territory.
The Raiders opened up their first possession of the second half with a 34-yard run for the touchdown, extending the lead to 20-0.
The second half appeared equally frustrating for the Broncos’ offense to find enough of a break in the Raider defense to begin to close the gap.
The Glades Central defense had frequent success in shutting down standout receiver-duo Kemar Downer and Larry Dunnon. Palm Beach Central’s touted running back Marvin Pierre also struggled in trying to find gaps in the Raider defense.
The Raiders relied on their defense the rest of the way to carry them to the 20-0 win.
The Broncos look to get back on track when Palm Beach Central hosts West Boca High School (2-0) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
ABOVE:Â Savion Harris picks up some yardage on a keeper play.
