While the varsity football team at Royal Palm Beach High School is experiencing a resurgence under head football coach Chuck Kenyon, some of the credit for the success of the varsity squad can be attributed to a sound and successful junior varsity football program under the leadership of head coach Brandon Huggins.
Last year’s junior varsity football team at RPBHS had a perfect 5-0 record, and this year’s team is currently 3-0.
“Brandon has done a good job of putting the right kids in the right positions in order to maximize their productivity,” Kenyon said. “Also, the junior varsity squad uses the same terminology as the varsity squad, so that allows players to make a seamless transition to the varsity.”
All three wins this season have been against rival schools in the western communities. Two victories were against Palm Beach Central High School’s JV squad. The third win was against Wellington High School’s JV unit.
Earlier this season, Royal Palm Beach defeated Palm Beach Central in the first game by two points, 8-6, and by four points, 16-12, in the second game.
In the first game, Wildcat freshman Alphonzo Carter scored the team’s lone touchdown. In the second game, freshman Jayden Francis scored both touchdowns for Royal Palm Beach, the first one coming on a game-opening kickoff return.
In the Wellington game, Royal Palm Beach prevailed 24-6. In that game, Francis scored two touchdowns, Carter scored one touchdown and running back Malik Profit scored one touchdown.
With a squad of 25 players, some members of the team are playing both offense and defense. Nearly every player on the squad is a freshman.
“All of our receivers on offense also play as defensive backs and cornerbacks on defense,” added Huggins, who played high school football at WHS from 2001 to 2005.
According to Huggins, three of the key players on offense for Royal Palm Beach are freshman quarterback Jarius Askins and two of his running backs, Malik Profit and Michal Baker. All three have played pivotal roles for the team this year.
Huggins said his defense plays a 3-3 Stack, which has kept the opposition at bay.
“On defense, we have three defensive linemen and three linebackers,” said Huggins, who doubles as the running backs coach for the varsity football team. “That leaves us five players playing as defensive backs and as a safety.”
The RPBHS JV football team’s next game will be Wednesday, Oct. 16 at home against Palm Beach Gardens High School.
