PALM Beach Central wins third in a row
WELLINGTON — One of Palm Beach County’s biggest rivalry games was anything but competitive Friday night as Palm Beach Central scored 45 unanswered points in a 52-10 rout of visiting Wellington.
Down 10-7 early in the second quarter after Wellington running back Mark-Antony Richards ran for a 65-yard touchdown, the Broncos (3-1) quickly regained the lead when quarterback R.J. Douriet found Gen’Taris Oliver for a 35-yard score.
From there, Palm Beach Central cruised to its third straight win after a season-opening loss to Atlantic.
“Any time you play a rival, it doesn’t matter if one team is — on paper — better than the other or they’re better period,” Broncos coach Tino Ierulli said. “Any time you play a big rivalry like this, the game’s up for grabs.”
The Broncos have outscored their opponents 16317 in the past three games, all home wins. Their potent offense got started early as senior running back Charles Stewart scored on a 32-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
Junior receiver and Miami commit Bryan Robinson scored twice, Oliver added a 30-yard punt return for a touchdown, and De’Angelo Pompey caught a 60-yard touchdown pass.
“We don’t like close games,” Robinson said. “We want it to be a blowout. Gotta show teams we’re the best in the county.”
Wellington (2-2) picked up a first down on its first drive, but Central quickly got the ball back when senior safety Jesus Santiago picked off quarterback Austin Wallace and returned it to the Wolverines’ 32.
The Wolverines rebounded on their next drive, getting to the 1-yard line before kicking a field goal. Despite Wallace’s slow start, Wellington stayed in the game by forcing and recovering fumbles on consecutive drives to end the first quarter.
Once they went down 14-10, the Wolverines struggled to get anything going. Wallace was repeatedly sacked or stopped for no gain. After the first quarter, Richards barely touched the ball while the game was still in reach.
“I’m not surprised by our performance at all,” Ierulli said. “I expect that from these kids because of the talent level we have and because of the way they’re coming together as a family.”
Senior cornerback Akeem Dent, a Florida State commit, had an interception in the third quarter for the Broncos.
K ing’s Academy 3 7, Miami-LaSalle 0: Presley Almond ran for two touchdowns, and Cory Croteau scored on a blocked punt and a pass reception as the Lions (4-0) rolled in Miami.
Glades Day 32, St. Andrew’s 6: A.J. McPhee passed for two touchdowns and ran for one to lead the Gators (2-2) past the Scots (2-2) in Boca Raton. Lorenzo Powe ran for a touchdown and Lane Collins scored on a blocked punt.