DELRAY BEACH – In just a few games this season, Zachary Waters has emerged as a key asset for Atlantic.
The Eagles junior quarterback had his breakthrough moment this past Friday night (Dec. 11) in the 7A Gold semifinals against Miramar. It may have been a late game touchdown in his team’s 46-21 win, but any score is enough to provide a boost.
With 5:21 left in the fourth, Waters took it to the house on a 10-yard touchdown run. He stayed on the field to be the holder for senior kicker and Lou Groza Award nominee Carson Wilt, who extended Atlantic’s lead to 43-13 after the extra point.
Waters is the backup quarterback to senior Alexis Guenson, who has accounted for 17 total touchdowns in the past three games for Atlantic (No. 1 seed in 7A Gold; 4-1 record). He is also the holder for Wilt, who nailed a 36-yard field goal with 8.2 second left to seal the Eagles 25-point win over the Patriots.
The junior is in prime position to be the face of Atlantic’s program next season. This is why he has been chosen to be our Breakthrough Player of Week 6.
“I played my role and stepped in when asked to,” Waters said. “I closed the game with the dagger with my score at the end, as well as contributing on the special teams unit by holding for kicks.”
Speaking of his holder position, Waters touched on the point of having a strong relationship with Wilt as his kicker.
“The relationship I have with Carson is great,” Waters said. “Ever since we both transferred to Atlantic, we have had a special connection. He’s shown me how to be the best person I can be on and off the field, and he’s made my job as a holder super easy.”
Waters delved further about his relationship with Wilt.
“We do more than just play football together,” said Waters, who transferred from West Boca Raton to Atlantic this past offseason. “We constantly keep in touch, sit with each other at lunch, and work with each other in the offseason. Next year is going to be tough without. I’m glade to have gotten the chance to play with him.”
The feelings are mutual when it comes to Wilt.
“Zack is an athlete and a great teammate,” Wilt said. “He throws a really good ball. He also holds for me on field goals. Overall he is going to be a big time player, especially when he takes over as quarterback next year. Not only is he special on the field, but off the field he is an IB honors student.”
Waters (4.0 grade point average; 5.71 honors point average in first quarter of 2020-2021 school year), is looking forward to his team’s 7A Gold championship game, which will be on Friday night (Dec. 18; 7:30 p.m. kickoff) against Plantation (No. 2 seed in 7A Gold; 4-1 record). The title game is set to be held at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.
“Getting to the title game was an expectation heading into the season,” Waters said. “Here at Atlantic, we hold ourselves to a much higher standard, and dominating like we did last night is apart of that. Our work is not done yet though. We still have a whole week ahead of us to get better, and we still have to close it out this week.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
