Central defense sparks 2nd-half comeback

PALM BEACH GARDENS — Palm Beach Central squandered an

11-point lead in the second quarter and trailed at halftime before rallying back with an impressive performance on defense in the second half as they remained unbeaten and held off host Palm Beach Gardens 26-21 in a pivotal District

7-8A contest on Friday night. Palm Beach Central junior Tyler Young scored two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 3-yard score in the third quarter to account for the only scoring drive for both teams in the second half. Junior Trevonne Williams had an interception at the Gators 41-yard line with 59 seconds left to seal the victory. The Broncos held the Gators scoreless after halftime.

“Gardens is a good team and they were battle-tested,” Palm Beach Central coach Scottie Littles said. “The mantra was Central has not been tested. I think we can stop saying that. The kids just rallied and played hard.”

Palm Beach Central (7-0) led 18-7 late in the second quarter before the Gators (5-3) closed the first half with two consecutive scoring drives to take a three-point lead entering halftime.

The Broncos marched downfield on the opening drive of the second half. Junior quarterback Ahmad Haston connected with junior wide receiver Javorian Wimberly for a big gain to the Gators 13-yard line. Young rushed for a 3-yard score and Haston added a two-point conversion run to make it 26-21.

The Gators came up empty on the ensuing possession after they missed a 27-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter.

The Broncos lost a fumble at the Gators 37-yard line in the fourth quarter, but their defense stepped up to force a three-and-out.

The Gators muffed a punt and lost the ball at their own 2-yard line with 1:35 left, but were able to hold on a defensive stand as they tackled Haston in the backfield for a

6-yard loss on 4th-and-goal with

1:10 left. Williams stepped up with the interception two plays later.

“I credit the kids and we did not have our heads down at halftime,” Littles said. “Ahmad executed our offense and put us in a position to win. The defense was able to make the play of the game at the end.”

The Broncos opened the scoring as junior Wimberly raced down the left sideline for a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Wimberly had a two-point conversion catch to push the lead to 8-0 with 2:56 left in the first.

Senior running back Markel King had an 8-yard catch for a score negated due to a penalty. Senior kicker Juan Dominguez converted a 28-yard field goal to extend the lead to 11-0 late in the first.

The Gators answered back on the ensuing possession. Senior running back Vincent Dubose rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 11-7 with 8:37 left in the second.

The Broncos responded on their next series as Haston tossed a 10-yard scoring pass down the middle to Young to increase the lead to 18-7.

The Gators lost a fumble in Broncos territory on their next drive as senior Mike Lucien made the recovery at the Broncos 25-yard line.

After the Gators defense forced a turnover on downs, junior quarterback Brand Campbell connected with junior wide receiver Malcolm Tucker on a deep pass down the left sideline to the Broncos 10-yard line. Junior running back Jacory Brown powered his way for an

8-yard score to make it 18-14.