On Friday, Oct. 8, one of the biggest high school football games in the state was held on the campus of Palm Beach Central High School. That night, it was a clash of the unbeatens when Park Vista High School traveled north to play Palm Beach Central in Wellington. Both teams entered the game with identical 5-0 records.
As it turns out, both teams also left the field that night with identical 5-0 records. Due to torrential rain, thunder and lightning, the game was suspended after halftime.
Because of date limitations in the high school schedule, the game will not be finished. At the point the game was stopped, the host Broncos led Park Vista, 21-7. Palm Beach Central’s three touchdowns were scored by Markel King, who had 36-yard and 87-yard touchdown runs, and Aldorson Estenvil, who found paydirt on a 66-yard sprint to the end zone.
With the game against Park Vista classified as a glorified practice, the Broncos pursued their sixth-straight victory when they played at Palm Beach Lakes High School on Thursday, Oct. 14, coming away with a 30-14 victory.
On Friday, Oct. 22, the Broncos will pursue their seventh-straight victory when they play at Palm Beach Gardens High School in a key district game. Kickoff will be at 6:30 p.m.
Wellington Wins Third Straight — After a bye week on Friday, Oct. 8, the Wolverines (3-2) returned to the gridiron on Friday, Oct. 15 for an important district game against the Jupiter High School Warriors in Jupiter.
The Wolverines were looking for a third shutout in a row, after 49-0 and 43-0 wins against John I. Leonard and Royal Palm Beach high schools, respectively. While Wellington’s defense did not keep Jupiter scoreless, it did limit the Warriors to just 11 points. The Wolverines prevailed 21-11.
The Wolverines, now 4-2, opened the scoring with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns. Wellington’s first score of the game was a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Ryan Anthony to senior wide receiver Reece Larson. Anthony scored the second touchdown on a quarterback keeper.
Against Jupiter, Wellington had two players with more than 100 yards in rushing. Anthony ran for 121 yards on 12 carries, while teammate Trevonta Holton carried the ball 13 times for 103 yards. Anthony also completed three of seven passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
Wellington’s next game will be Friday, Oct. 22 at Palm Beach Lakes High School. The kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. Looking forward to Oct. 29, the “Battle of Wellington” will be played when Palm Beach Central visits Wellington High School. That game is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.
TKA Drops Game at Calvary Christian — After opening the season with a lopsided 55-0 road loss against Cardinal Newman High School, the King’s Academy Lions have responded like champions by winning their next five games against Somerset Academy Canyons, Saint Andrew’s, Glades Day School, Lake Worth High School and Pope John Paul II Academy.
The Lions, guided by their new head coach Ronnie Lee, pursued their sixth-straight victory on Friday, Oct. 15 against Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale. TKA’s five-game winning streak was snapped as Calvary Christian Academy won 42-27.
The Lions, now 4-2, will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 23 against Archbishop McCarthy in Fort Lauderdale. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Tough Season for Berean Bulldogs — The Berean Christian School Bulldogs remain winless (0-6) to date this season, but the attitude of the players and their coaches remains upbeat.
“Unfortunately, we have had a season filled with hard knocks and growing pains,” head football coach Mario Jackson said. “Nevertheless, we march on with our heads held high and prepare as if each Friday will be the day we get our first win.”
Despite the lackluster beginning to the season, there is some positive news to report about Berean’s football program.
“The first points of the season came from a connection between quarterback Michael Hendricks and Ormond Russell on a 26-yard touchdown pass against Boca Raton Christian,” Jackson said. “In the same game, our longest play from scrimmage this year came when Hendricks hooked up with Miles Kelly on an 80-yard catch-and-run”
Berean’s leading receiver is Dominic Mastrogiacomo, who leads the team in receptions (20), receiving yards (235) and touchdowns (3). Mastrogiacomo’s best single-game performance came against Santa Fe Catholic. In that game, he had 10 receptions for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
As the quarterback, Hendricks’ current season passing totals are 852 passing yards and six touchdown passes. He has a 42 percent completion rate. In the game against Santa Fe, Hendricks threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for another 42 yards.
The Bulldogs’ next game is Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at Pompano Beach High School.
Royal Palm Beach’s Struggles Continue — The Royal Palm Beach High School Wildcats had a week off on Friday, Oct. 8 in order to heal any injuries suffered during their rough 0-5 start to the season. On Thursday, Oct. 14, the Wildcats hosted the Gators from Palm Beach Gardens High School. The visiting Gators had no trouble in taming the Wildcats. Palm Beach Gardens prevailed 49-6. Royal Palm Beach (0-6) plays next on Friday, Oct. 22 when the Wildcats host Jupiter at 6:30 p.m.
