PALM BEACH GARDENS – Growing pains were inevitable this past season for Jackson Nairn.
Taking over as Dwyer’s starting quarterback for the first time as a junior, he managed to will his team to a few wins and keep them close in most games.
While the relatively young Panthers squad finished with their first losing record in many seasons (3-6 final mark), they made their share of mistakes together and learned from there.
Dwyer’s wins were over Boynton Beach (34-19 in Week 1) and Royal Palm Beach (28-21 in Week 8). A forfeit victory over Glades Central (originally a 16-6 loss in Week 7) because the Raiders reportedly had an ineligible player on their team at the time, as confirmed by the FHSAA.
Close losses were to Pahokee (20-16 defeat in Week 4), Martin County (22-21 defeat in Week 6), and Boca Raton (19-12 defeat in Week 11). And a surprisingly competitive game against Palm Beach Lakes took place in Week 9 (53-27 defeat).
Nairn has no regrets with how it all turned out – at least for him individual. He finished his junior year with 1,514 passing yards, 21 total touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions in 8 games played.
“I feel like it was going good in the beginning,” the 5-foot-10, 160-pound quarterback said. “Then I got injured and it affected me the rest of the year. I didn’t have much mobility with my ankle after I hurt it against Pahokee. After that game, it was tough the rest of the year. I had to play through a lot of pain, but we are in a rebuilding phase. It was good to work and get chemistry with the younger receivers.”
Nairn said that Dwyer’s most effective game on offense was against Palm Beach Lakes. He threw for 202 passing yards and 3 touchdowns against last year’s No. 1 overall team in Palm Beach County.
“It was our best offensive game of the year,” Nairn said. “A lot of kids stepped up in that one”.
Moving on to the college recruiting circuit, it has been a tough journey so far for Nairn. At this time, only one school is showing any interest that we know of.
“I’m surprised,” Nairn said. “It’s slow now, just talking to Drake. I have been in communication with their coaches a lot. But I think after I get some film from some games this year and after this season, it will speed up.”
Speaking of this upcoming fall season – provided that it will even happen – Nairn has shared his individual and team goals.
“A goal for me is 30 touchdown passes and at least 5 rushing touchdowns,” Nairn said. “I’d like to be more active with the ground game. As for our team, the goal is at least 7 wins this year and our offense averaging more than 28 point per game.”
Overall, Nairn is stoked by the level of potential this year’s Dwyer squad has.
“I feel like we will have a super good season this year now that all our young kids have experience,” Nairn said. “Last season was a learning experience for everyone. We were all in a new scheme and situation, I wish we would’ve won more games last year, but this season will be something special. We’re coming for it this fall.”
