District champions (again): Palm Beach Central leaves Wolverines unwell in Wellington Cup win
WELLINGTON — A 41-14 victory over Wellington saw the championship for Class 4M-District 10 and the Wellington Cup remain with Palm Beach Central on Friday.
Coyly dropping the Broncos' new name for the crosstown rivalry game, the "Central Cup," first-year head coach Kevin Thompson was relieved to have maintained Central turned Booker coach Scottie Littles' series win-streak.
"It's a big deal. We work really hard for it and we've had it for a long time and it's good to have it stay home," Thompson said.
Since the 2016 season — the last time Wellington (5-4) beat the Broncos — Central (9-3) has taken five district championships. Had the pandemic not turned the team's season upside down in 2020, that number probably would be six.
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Nabbing bragging rights-squared is the boost Central needs to prepare for a gritty Miami-Carol City (5-4), on a four-game win streak over Monsignor Pace, Westland Hialeah, North Miami Beach and South Miami prior to falling in a one-possession game to Vanguard (6-3) in Week 10.
"We're trying to grow the Central brand outside the frame," Thompson said, seeking to crush the stereotype that Palm Beach County "doesn't have good football."
"I actually asked for that game because I went to Miramar High School and that's who we played in the third round of the playoffs, so I always want to play someone from my area down there," Thompson said. "Traditionally, it's been a good team."
Here are three takeaways:
Defense defines the dub
Wellington quarterback Ryan Anthony powered through for 149 passing yards and 48 rushing, keeping the ball for two punches into the end zone. Yet, the Bronco defense was too much to bear for the collective of the Wolverine offense.
The first drive for Wellington ended in a three-and-out. A red zone opportunity came before the end of what would become a scoreless first quarter, but pressure from Central barred the Wolverines from the three yards necessary to stay alive on fourth down.
Tackles Agustus "Big Baby" McKoy and Aden Haston and ends Luis Saldana and Nicholas Toussaint came together in the trenches for drive-toppling takedowns from quarter to quarter.
"You have to know what you're doing because those guys are going to hold it together in the trenches," Thompson said.
Bronco newcomer and senior Kerlson Jean made his presence on the D-line known as well, adjusting nicely to his new position since transferring to Central as a safety from Palm Beach Lakes last winter.
"He's really come alive moving him down so he's been a great player for us," Thompson said.
"The coaches are different. Everybody's pushing you to be better. No one's just letting you do anything you want. It's strict over here and it's all discipline," Jean said. "The coaches told me to follow my assignment, the ball is going to come my way. That's what I did and I impacted the game."
Offense continues hitting stride
About three minutes into the second quarter, the Broncos got on the board thanks to Britton Holmes Jr., who turned on the jets to haul in a 74-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Ahmad Haston.
In his third straight 200-plus-yard performance, the University of Massachusetts commit threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns, including a 58-yarder to Luby Maurice Jr. that put Central up 14-0 just before the half after Wellington failed to finish in the red zone again and missed a 42-yard field goal attempt.
Central Michigan commit Javorian Wimberly was the target for a two-point conversion on Maurice's score, finding the ball again for six on a 50-yard catch late in the fourth quarter.
In the third, Haston would've had a fourth touchdown pass had Wellington safety Wolali Ahlijah picked off the three-star in the end zone. To no surprise, Central's defense locked in for another three-and-out, ultimately positioning senior running back Tyler Young for a 39-yard rush for touchdown that made the score 21-0.
Dr. Bostic is in
Central's trademark explosive offense created a big enough deficit to make a win for Wellington unlikely, but it was defensive back Justin Bostic who brought the Wolverines to the point of no return.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, the three-star FAMU commit took the scoreboard to 27-0 with a 70-yard house call after stepping in front of a pass that would've likely been a scoring catch-and-run for Wellington's Kevin Liriano.
A couple drives later, sophomore Nedrick Boldin broke up another Wellington pass attempt. Scooping the loose ball for a 47-yard touchdown return, Bostic juked Anthony as the Wellington quarterback attempted to trip up the Bronco ball carrier.
"I couldn't have gotten that pick if it wasn't for Nedrick, but I've played with Ryan since Little League so being able to pick him off feels good," Bostic laughed. "I know his dad's probably mad right now, but I'll probably call and brag to him later."
With 6:32 to the horn, Central was up 35-7. It was the second time this season that Bostic picked up two pick sixes in one game, accomplishing the feat first in September against Lakewood (6-3).
If Bostic gets the ball, he's looking to score, and judging by his track record, the trend will continue well into playoffs now that Central's cemented itself as Palm Beach County's top 4M squad in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: High school football: Palm Beach Central rolls over Wellington
