Delray Beach, FL – The Atlantic Eagles showed grit, resilience, and dominance Friday night, defeating the Miami Norland Vikings 43-20 in a matchup full of swings and momentum shifts. The win improves Atlantic to a perfect 5-0 heading into their bye week, and sends a clear message to the rest of Florida: this team is for real.
A Fast Start on Offense
The Eagles wasted no time striking first. On their opening drive, Atlantic marched 80 yards in just seven plays, capped off by junior RB Omari St. Fort powering in from 10 yards out to make it 7-0.
Norland responded immediately. After a muffed punt gave them prime field position, RB Rashad Wallace punched it in from the 1-yard line to tie the game. The Vikings built on the momentum with another quick score — quarterback Kai Moore called his own number for an 8-yard touchdown, giving Norland a 14-7 lead.
Atlantic Fights Back
Momentum swung back to the Eagles when Norland muffed another punt, setting Atlantic up deep in Viking territory. Quarterback Pedro Martinez took full advantage, keeping it himself on a 6-yard designed run for the touchdown. The extra point missed, leaving the Eagles trailing 14-13.
Atlantic’s special teams then turned the tide again. A botched punt snap by Norland gave the Eagles the ball at the 14-yard line. Just two plays later, Martinez connected with WR Mark Hanniford in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard score. Hanniford’s first of two touchdowns put Atlantic ahead 19-14.
The Eagles nearly added more before the break, but Norland’s defense held strong inside the red zone to keep it a five-point game at halftime.
Defense Flips the Script
Atlantic’s defense came out of halftime making a statement. FS James Jones batted a pass into the air, and S Emmanuel Toussaint made a highlight-reel diving interception to shut down Norland’s opening drive.
The Vikings, however, regained the lead shortly after. QB Kai Moore found WR Jaden Daniels for a touchdown strike, though the missed extra point kept it 20-19.
Atlantic answered with another bruising score from Hanniford — this time on a 2-yard run up the middle, giving the Eagles a 25-20 advantage they would never relinquish.
The Knockout Punch
Norland’s last chance to keep it close was denied on a crucial 4th-and-4 when Atlantic’s defensive front came up with a big sack. That stand set the tone for the fourth quarter.
Just three plays later, St. Fort broke loose for a 13-yard touchdown run. A broken extra-point attempt turned into two points, suddenly stretching the lead to 33-20.
Senior kicker Angelo Caporizo then drilled a 40-yard field goal with just two minutes left, pushing the margin to 16.
For good measure, ATH Dereion Darby capped the night with an 11-yard touchdown run in the final seconds, sealing the 43-20 victory.
Stars of the Night
• RB Omari St. Fort: 2 TDs, including the game’s opening score and a back-breaking 13-yard run.
• WR/RB Mark Hanniford: 2 TDs — one through the air and one on the ground.
• DE Jamir Johnson: A monster defensive performance with 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss.
• DB tandem James Jones & Emmanuel Toussaint: Combined for one of the biggest defensive plays of the night with the diving interception.
• K Angelo Caporizo: Steady leg with a clutch 40-yard field goal late.
Coach Murray’s Message
After the game, head coach Jamelle Murray made sure to point beyond the scoreboard.
“I want to thank our administration, the parents of our kids, and the Delray community,” Murray said. “It’s a blessing to have their support — it takes a community to build a winning team.”
Looking Ahead
At 5-0, the Eagles head into their bye week brimming with confidence. They’ve shown the ability to win in every phase — offense, defense, and special teams. With playmakers all over the field and the community behind them, Atlantic is poised for a special season.
The sky truly is the limit.
Cover Photo Credits: Christian Proscia, NewEraPrep
