PALM BEACH GARDENS – Chris and Dom Presto are brothers who play on different sides of the ball.
The Presto Brothers made an equal impact on last week’s rivalry game between Palm Beach Gardens and Dwyer. While the final score showed a 28-18 loss for the Gators, the level of respect shown for both players was elevated to another level.
Here’s how the Presto Brothers energized Palm Beach Gardens in Week 2 of the regular season:
Early in third quarter, the Gators were in the Panthers red zone. Down 21-12, senior quarterback Lynden Moss found a target in sophomore wide receiver Chris Presto on a corner route.
What did Chris Presto do with his catch?
He found a perfect spot in the end zone to catch the Moss pass. And with that, Gardens cut Dwyer’s lead to 21-18.
It would be the Gators final points in this game.
“I just looked who at was on him and I liked the matchup,” Moss said. “I knew Chris could win that matchup.”
Chris Presto spoke on his scoring catch.
“Whenever I saw the play call I knew it was coming my way,” said Chris Presto, who had seven catches for 80+ yards and the score against Dwyer. “Deuce delivered a perfect ball and I went up and got it. It was special because I was looking forward to being the first out of my brothers to score a varsity touchdown. But earlier in the game my brother (linebacker Dom Presto) got a pick-six. Along with my touchdown, it made the night very special for my parents.”
Speaking of the Dom Presto pick-six, it came at the 2:09 mark of the second quarter. The big play cut Dwyer’s lead to 14-12 at that point.
The senior linebacker and now-FAU baseball signee finished the game with seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and the interception return for a score.
“I knew the exact play they were running because my coaches prepared us for it,” Dom Presto said. “I felt like we had a pretty good game plan heading into the game, so i saw the route and jumped it and it turned out to be an explosive pick-six.”
Dom Presto spoke on his younger brother’s performance from last week.
“I thought he was a bright spot on the offensive side of the ball,” Dom Preston said. “The kid’s been working hard. He’s got a really bright future ahead of him in this sport, especially being just a sophomore.”
Dom Presto had more to say about this past game.
“It feels great, considering we’ve grown up together my whole life competing and talking smack to each other,” Dom Presto said. “To be recognized as impact players is pretty cool, though it would have been a whole lot better if we beat Dwyer.”
Chris Presto reflected on last week’s experience.
“Saturday night was senior night, and I know that these seniors haven’t been fortunate enough to beat teams like Dwyer and Lakes,” Chris Presto said. “I was playing for them. Even though we came up short, we still played together for them. My brother is a senior along with many others on the team, and I tried to make that night special for them. Unfortunately we came up short, but that is in the past. We are looking forward to Jupiter now.”
Next game for the Presto Brothers and Palm Beach Gardens: Tonight at 6 p.m. against No. 10 Jupiter (2-0), Jupiter High School
PHOTO CREDITS: Envy Designs and TNT Artistry