South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Atlantic cruises to victory
Joseph, Burke grab 2 TDs each to top Boca Raton
Atlantic senior running back Montahj Joseph and senior wide receiver Tyler Burke each scored two touchdowns as the Eagles cruised past host Boca Raton
47-12 on Friday night. Atlantic (1-1) bounced back with a dominant performance after falling to TRU Prep Academy last week. The Eagles offense scored on their first four possessions in the first half and the defense created four turnovers in the second half.
“We learned and corrected our mistakes from last week,” Atlantic coach T.J. Jackson said. “We need to continue to stay disciplined and focused. We can build off this win.”
The Eagles jumped out to the early lead on the first play from scrimmage as Burke rushed for a 53-yard score.
“It was great to get off to a fast start,” Burke said. “We have been working hard and getting better.”
The Eagles marched downfield on their second possession. Senior quarterback Guenson Alexis delivered a third-down completion to extend the drive deep into Bobcats territory. Joseph powered his way for a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a 14-0 advantage with 6:41 left in the first quarter.
The Bobcats (2-1) attempted a fake punt attempt late in the first, but were stopped short of the first down as the Eagles took over at their own 45-yard line.
The Eagles converted a
fourth-and-7 on the ensuing possession as Alexis avoided a sack and found Joseph on a short pass as he turned upfield for a 17-yard gain to the Bobcats 35-yard line.
The Eagles offense again stepped up later on the drive. On fourth-and-12, Alexis connected with Burke down the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain. Alexis capped off the drive with a quarterback sneak for a 1-yard score to extend the lead to 21-0 with 10:24 left in the second quarter.
The Eagles continued to pull away after Alexis fired a pass to Burke as he raced down the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown to push the lead to 28-0 with 3:54 left in the first half.
Boca Raton answered back on the following possession.
Sophomore quarterback Jacob Cashion connected with junior Jason Bradley Jr. down the left sideline for a 41-yard touchdown as they trailed 28-6 entering halftime.
Jekkaven Smith had an interception on defense to open the second half for the Eagles and the offense took advantage on the ensuing drive. Joseph rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 34-6.
“We made big plays,” Joseph said. “We have some great athletes and we executed well.”
The Bobcats defense responded with an interception late in the third. Cashion fired a 27-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Jones to cut the deficit to 34-12.
The Eagles quickly answered back after Joseph had a long run down the left sideline deep into Bobcats territory. Junior quarterback Zachary Waters rushed for a 3-yard score to extend the lead to 41-12.
Senior linebacker Nygil Shannon had a 15-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown for the Eagles late in the third.
Junior Marquis Lymon and senior Jahbari Hill each had interceptions for the Eagles in the second half.
— Alex Kushel
Palhegyi, Gibbons dominate Clewiston: Cardinal Gibbons quarterback Brody Palhegyi tossed touchdown passes on the Chiefs’ first three drives as Gibbons dominated visiting Clewiston 37-7 in its 4A regional quarterfinal win.
Palhegyi, who threw for
226 yards before halftime, capped the Chiefs opening seven-play, 80-yard drive by firing a 21-yard touchdown pass to Elisha Edwards for a 7-0 lead.
Gibbons (6-1) doubled its lead to 14-0 on Troy Stellato’s 27-yard touchdown reception midway through the first quarter.
The Chiefs pushed their lead to 21-0 when Palhegyi hit Stellato across the middle on a short pass before Stellato broke a pair of tackles on the way to a 53-yard touchdown.
After gaining just 6 yards on its first nine plays, Clewiston (3-2) made it 21-7 as Chauncey Cobb hauled in a
79-yard touchdown pass to close out the first quarter..
Gibbons took a 30-7 lead just before halftime as Palhegyi avoided the Tigers rush and scrambled 15 yards for a touchdown.
Any doubt of the game’s outcome was erased on the opening drive of the second half as the Chiefs Jesse Anderson blocked a Clewiston punt and Isaiah Farris scooped up the loose ball before scampering 23 yards for a touchdown and 37-7 lead.