Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
High school football playoffs
Western rallies from 12-0 deficit in fourth quarter to top Palm Beach Central 14-12.
WELLINGTON — Nothing went right for Western the first three quarters of the game.
Trailing Palm Beach Central by 12 points entering the final frame, it looked like the Wildcats’ playoff run would be a short one after the team won its firstever playoff game last week.
But in the fourth quarter, Western was a completely different team. Running back Keshaun Clarke scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns — including the game winner from one yard out with 58 seconds left to help the Wildcats stun the Broncos 14-12 in the Class 8A regional semifinals.
Led by senior quarterback Harrison Story, Western converted two fourth downs on the final drive of the game to cap off the wild comeback. Palm Beach Central had the ball inside the 40-yard line with 10 seconds remaining, but the Wildcats sacked quarterback Nick Atkins as the clock expired — setting off a jubilant Wildcat celebration.
“These guys never quit fighting,” said Western coach Adam Ratkevich. “It’s our mentality. That underdog mentality. Our blackshirt defense has been incredible all season long. And Harrison Story — his nickname is ‘Ice Man’ for a reason. When the game’s on the line, there’s no one else in Florida I’d rather have spinning the ball for me.”
Western (10-2) will face Atlantic on the road next week with a spot in the state semifinals on the line. Atlantic defeated Park Vista 14-7 earlier in the night.
Palm Beach Central (8-3), which has never advanced to the regional finals, dominated the first half and had multiple chances to put the game away, but was never able to deliver the knockout blow.
The Broncos offense moved the ball with consistency throughout the first half thanks to tough running from CJ Stewart. The Broncos drove deep into Western territory on its first two drives, but came up scoreless — turning the ball over on downs and then punting.
Central finally broke through on its third drive as Nick Atkins hit junior wideout Bryan Robinson, who leaped over a Western defensive back near the goal line, for a 30-yard touchdown to give the Broncos a 6-0 lead with 8:06 in the first quarter.
Western, which struggled throughout the first quarter offensively, finally moved the ball into Central territory, but Broncos star cornerback Akeem Dent put a swift end to that drive. The Florida State commit picked off Harrison Story at the 20-yard line and returned it to midfield, giving the Broncos great position.
Later in the drive, Palm Beach Central went to the air once again for a highlight-reel score. Senior wideout Fornoris Roberts beat his defender down the middle and made a spectacular diving catch in the end zone — going full extension for a 32-yard touchdown grab from Atkins for a 12-0 lead.
With one second left in the second quarter, Western had a chance for points at the Central 30, but Dent picked off Story in the end zone for his second interception of the night.
In the second half, Western’s defense clamped down and held Palm Beach Central scoreless. For the Wildcats, it was the second thrilling win in as many weeks.