Stewart scores twice as Broncos win sixth straight

QB Marucci totals 4 TDs as Benjamin remains unbeaten.

WELLINGTON — Senior running back CJ Stewart ran for two first-half touchdowns as Palm Beach Central defeated Seminole Ridge 27-14 Friday night for its sixth straight victory.

The Broncos (6-1) battled both a 30-minute lightning delay and the resilient Hawks (4-3) but held on to improve to 5-0 at home this season.

It didn’t take long for Stewart to make his presence felt. He ended a nearly seven-minute opening drive by scoring a 1-yard run with just over five minutes left in the first quarter.

Stewart scored on another 1-yard run shortly before halftime.

Since losing 14-0 to Atlantic on Aug. 24, the Broncos have outscored their opponents 252-43.

Broncos quarterback RJ Douriet was quiet for most of the game but found junior wide receiver Bryan Robinson for a 54-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.

After taking over inside the Broncos’ red zone following a muffed punt, Hawks quarterback Kaimyn Castilla dove into the end zone on a quarterback sneak to pull Seminole Ridge within two scores.

The Hawks recovered the ensuing onside kick, but senior receiver Ty’Korian Brown dropped what would have been a 38-yard touchdown pass on third down.

Castilla threw the ball away on fourth down to seal the Hawks’ third straight loss.

Seminole Ridge now faces two crucial games, hosting Pahokee Friday and Jupiter the following week.

Benjamin 31, Fort Lauderdale-Calvary Christian 13: Santino Marucci passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Buccaneers (8-0) raced past the Eagles (3-4) in Palm Beach Gardens. Joe Mariani caught two of the TD throws.

Miami-Gulliver Prep 35, King’s Academy 28: Justin Wake threw three touchdown passes, two to Isaac Scroggins, but the Lions (7-1) came up short against the Raiders (4-3) in Miami.

Fort Myers-Bishop Verot 5, American Heritage 3: Lucas Matias’ 18-yard field goal was the only score for the Stallions (5-2) in a defensive struggle against the Vikings (6-1) in Fort Myers.

Fort Pierce Westwood 56, Suncoast 14: Alex Baron ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from Aaron Adams, but the Chargers (2-6) fell to the Panthers (5-2) in Fort Pierce.