Powerful Vero Beach trounces Forest Hill

Sets up 8A regional semifinal showdown with Palm Beach Central

WESTPALMBEACH—Forest Hill entered the playoffs with a memorable regular season after a six-game win streak and winning their first district title in 36 years. The enjoyable ride came to an end against traditional power Vero Beach as the host Falcons were unable to overcome early turnovers as they fell 46-14 in a Class 8A regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

Vero Beach (7-2), the No. 5 seed in Region 2, advanced to play at No. 1 seed Palm Beach Central next Friday. Central cruised by Centennial 41-9 in its regional quarter.

Vero Beach scored 13 points off two early turnovers committed by Forest Hill (6-3) and they led 26-0 after the first quarter.

Vero Beach senior quarterback Maurice Smith passed for five touchdowns, which included four scoring passes in the first half and the Fighting Indians had a 40-6 advantage at halftime.

“We knew we had to play a pretty perfect game and it was a rough start for us,” Forest Hill head coach Jim Basford said. They’re a very talented football team. We challenged the guys and we did some positive things in the second half. We did not quit and stuck together and kept playing.”

Forest Hill junior running back Jerrius Chavers rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Sophomore quarterback Miche Estime connected with sophomore wide receiver Reggie Workman for a score in the fourth quarter.

After falling to Palm Beach Central and Seminole Ridge to begin the season, Forest Hill bounced back with six straight victories and won their first district title since 1985.

“I am just proud of these guys and hats off to our coaching staff,” Basford said. “We worked really hard and they did something that we have not done at Forest Hill in a long time.”

Senior quarterback Dmitry Peters stepped up during the regular season to help the Falcons have an opportunity to compete in the playoffs.

“It’s unbelievable and the boys put in a lot of work,” Peters said. “I learned a lot of lessons playing a good team in Vero Beach.”

Senior running back Melvin Hubbard was also one of the top leaders to lead the Falcons offense.

“We had good team chemistry and we worked together,” Hubbard said. “It was a good experience.”

Basford said he is excited with the direction of the program.

“We have some young talented guys and they had a great experience making a playoff run and know what to expect next year,” Basford said.

Forest Hill opened the game with an onside kick attempt, but the ball failed to travel 10-yards. Vero Beach capitalized with a three-play scoring drive as senior running back Reggie Ferguson rushed for a 6-yard touchdown just 50 seconds into the contest.

Forest Hill lost a fumble at their own 20-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. Vero Beach scored in two plays as Smith tossed a 6-yard score to senior wide receiver Ephraim Floyd to push the lead to 12-0 with 10:33 left in the first.

Forest Hill threw an interception on their first possession on offense. Vero Beach took advantage on the next series as junior running back Quincy Rodgers powered his way for an 11-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 19-0.

Smith connected on a touchdown pass down the middle of the field to senior wide receiver James Smith to make it 26-0 in the first.

Chavers rushed for a 15-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 26-6.

Smith tossed a scoring pass down the right sideline to Floyd to increase the lead to 33-6.

Smith fired an 11-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs with 27 seconds left prior to halftime.

Vero Beach scored on their first possession in the second half as Smith connected with Ferguson and he broke multiple tackles and reached the end zone.

In the fourth quarter, Estime rolled out to his left and fired a 9-yard touchdown pass to Workman. Estime connected with junior tight end Nicholas La Mattina on the two-point conversion.