WELLINGTON – Zachary Favors has been making meaningful progress on the field in his senior season for the Wellington Wolverines.
As he gets ready to hit the climax point of his high school football career, the 6-foot, 160-pound defensive back can reflect on several milestone moments in his four years on the gridiron.
There have been at least two eye-opening plays that caught the attention of many inside and outside of Palm Beach County.
Let us begin with the first one.
In Week 2 at Martin County, it was ruled by the referees that sophomore quarterback Jayden Vega connected on an 11-yard touchdown pass to his wide receiver with 9:00 left in the second quarter.
After the extra point, Martin County took a 21-0 lead over Wellington.
Watch this play for yourself and decide if Favors forced a fumble at the goal line.
9:00 2nd: @Jayden__Vega gets his second touchdown pass of the game off an 11-yarder. On the next play, the XP was good for @CountyTigers_fb.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) September 2, 2022
As it stands, Martin County is now up 21-0 over Wellington.
Watch the clip and comment on what you think of this play.@FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/MDdOFjIeLc
Regardless of how one sees the play, Favors did not officially get credit for the forced fumble because it was ruled an offensive touchdown by Martin County.
Nonetheless, this play was a signature moment for Favors.
“It was the hardest hit for me all season long,” said Favors, who finished that game with five tackles, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. “The game was a eye opener that teams are moving the ball away from my side.”
In Week 7 against Vero Beach, Favors was tasked with covering fellow senior and Florida State verbal commit Vandrevius Jacobs. Though Wellington would go on to lose this game by a score or 41-7, it was the Zachary Favors No Fly Zone Show in the second half.
During a fourth-and-goal play, Vero Beach had a chance to put a running clock on Wellington. But Favors locked down Jacobs and recorded a pass breakup to force a turnover on downs and give his team the ball back.
Watch how Favors came through about Jacobs.
3Q: @FavorsZachary is one of the very best defensive backs in Palm Beach County.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) October 8, 2022
Playing against @VandreviusJ, he shows it here on this fourth down play as @WellyHS_FB shuts down running clock attempt from @VBFootball.
Score still 41-7.
⏰🛑🚫@CoachMendoza13 @Coach_Sime81 pic.twitter.com/NEaV69i6fL
“After playing against Jacob at Vero, I feel like I can guard anyone in Palm Beach County,” said Favors, who recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups against Vero Beach.
Jacobs showed Favors some love after the game.
“He a dog,” Jacobs said of Favors. “He got it in him. We got it in.”
Favors and Wellington had one other Treasure Coast opponent this season. It was against Jensen Beach in Week 3, where he recorded four tackles and pass breakups in his team’s 17-14 home loss.
Favors on the Treasure Coast opponents:
“All three Treasure Coast games made me physically and mentally stronger,” Favors said. “It’s always nice playing with good competition.”
WELLINGTON CUP VIBES
With all that said, the most important regular season game for Favors is tonight (Oct. 28; 6:30 p.m. kickoff) against Palm Beach Central. It is for both the Wellington Cup and the District 10-4M title.
Wellington certainly wants revenge from last year’s 17-14 home loss to Palm Beach Central in the Wellington Cup. For Favors, it was the best overall game of his high school football career, as he recorded nine tackles, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
“It gave me the impression that any team in Palm Beach County is beatable,” Favors said. “It doesn’t matter what size you are. You can go out and make plays.”
Favors is well aware of the underdog status that Wellington (5-3; 2-0 in District 10-4M play) faces tonight against second-ranked Palm Beach Central (7-1; 2-0 in 10-4M). What Favors is also well aware of is the foundation that he has firmly stood upon for the past four years.
“My experience at Wellington has been amazing,” said Favors, who received his first offer from Monmouth College on Oct. 20. “My brother Isaiah Favors left a very good path for me at Wellington. I saw the opportunity and took it.”
Zachary Favors spoke more about his journey at Wellington.
“I started off as a slot receiver and defensive back,” Zachary Favors said. “I fell in love with defense. I’ve always been an underdog. I’ve always been overlooked as a defensive back. But I remain humble and let my film speak. I didn’t make [ESPN West Palm] Top 63 my junior season, but it motivated me to grind harder and make bigger plays so I could stand out.”
SIDE NOTE: Zachary Favors received his first collegiate offer about one week ago. We expect more offers to come his way soon.
We will closely follow Zachary Favors and his college recruiting process from now until the day he signs his letter of intent with the school of his choice.
