QB Dever delivers in his debut as Wolverines dominate Rams
WELLINGTON — You only get one chance to make a first impression and Wellington’s offense made a stellar one in its 2015 debut.
Led by new quarterback Blake Dever and returning standout Ahmmon Richards, the Wolverine offense struck early and often en route to a 41-14 victory over Palm Beach Lakes in their 2015 Kickoff Classic matchup.
Richards, a highly-coveted wide receiver/safety who is committed to the University of Miami, got his offense started in good field position thanks to an interception on the game’s opening drive.
On the first play after the turnover, Richards took a short hitch from Dever 50 yards for a touchdown.
That combination was just getting started.
On the ensuing Rams possession, senior running back Austin Hamlet scored on a 13-yard run giving the Rams a 7-6 lead. Hamlet, a 16-year-old senior, is starting to draw attention from several Division I schools.
Dever gave Wellington the lead back for good when he sneaked in from 1 yard out early in the second quarter.
Late in the first half the Wolverines faced a third-and-long from their own 22 and Dever found Richards on a bubble screen. From there, the senior broke several tackles and sprinted 78 yards for the score.
“Ahmmon is the best player I’ve ever coached and just continues to show how special he is,” Wellington coach Tom Abel said. “He makes everyone around him better while standing out himself.”
After halftime, the duo went back to work. On the first drive of the third quarter, Dever found Richards streaking down the sideline for a 55-yard touchdown, making it 27-7.
Richards ended with five catches for 202 yards and three touchdowns, but Dever wasn’t done. On the next Wolverine possession, he connected with Austin Gilman for a 17-yard touchdown. Dever finished with close to 300 yards and the four touchdowns in his debut.
“It was special,” said Dever, who transferred to Wellington after spending the last three years at St. Thomas Aquinas. “I’m finally home.”
Abel was thrilled with his new quarterback but a little frustrated with his offense overall.
“Blake was great, he got four but the goal every game is for him to get at least six,” Abel said. “We left a few out there just by being sloppy, but at least we got 40.”
Noah Curtis had a 16-yard touchdown for Lakes in the fourth quarter and Elroy Taylor scored the Wolverines’ final touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run.
The Wolverines travel to face Atlantic next week in their season opener while Palm Beach Lakes will play host to Lake Worth.