WELLINGTON – Palm Beach Central has long been a place for top talent.

From Jon Bostic to Akeem Dent to Bryan Robinson, top-end talent has played on the same football field before moving on to top college programs. None of those players, however, had as much success with Palm Beach Central as the 2023 class.

On Friday (Dec. 2), Palm Beach Central’s season ended in the hands of Apopka in the Class 4M state semifinals. But the road to this point was indicative of something: the Palm Beach Central seniors helped build a program.

“A lot of what’s known to Central is local, very Palm Beach,” Palm Beach Central head coach Kevin Thompson said. “When I interviewed for the job, one thing I told them – one of our plans was to make sure we grow the brand, and people start recognizing Central outside of here. That’s why we played some of these games outside of here. That’s what I told them, ‘Fellas, you put us on the map.’”

For the seniors who were four-year varsity players, they’ll finish their high school career with a 36-8 record with three playoff appearances. They were also the first seniors to help capture a regional championship.

“It’s the first time in history that anyone has made it this far,” said senior defensive back Justin Bostic. “It’s the first time Central football has ever played in December, that’s a good thing. We’re going to take this all the way throughout life.”

Bostic was among the group who have been here since the beginning. He was a member of the team as a freshman and budded into a reliable defensive back that Palm Beach Central could rely on every week. 

Bostic’s talent on the field led to an offer and eventual commitment to Florida A&M. 

According to Thompson, this season was the most special because the players – particularly the seniors – bonded on and off the field.

“Those guys, they hang out every day. All 36 of them sit next to me at lunch, and we know their families. We have gumbo and all that other stuff,” Thompson said. “These dudes are really legit family, and I’m going to miss them, man.”

Among the memories for Thompson was a pre-season summer youth camp that Palm Beach Central hosted, where the players coached like the games mattered.

“They were coaching like they were in a state championship. Our guys were so focused on these little kids,” Thompson said. “I’m like, ‘You guys are Division 1 athletes,” and they’re like, ‘No coach, my team’s gotta win for some seventh and eighth graders.’ That one is burnt into my head.” 

Although players like Bostic and quarterback Ahmad Haston are committed to universities, not every senior is committed. The priority for Thompson and his coaching staff will shift to making sure those seniors find their homes.

“I think the colleges are kind of tired of us reaching out and calling them. But it is our priority right now to get these guys in college, and it’s always been our priority,” Thompson said. “As our principal says, they’re student-athletes. The next step is for the guys who want to go to college, we’re going to help them.” 

As for next season, the future is bright for Palm Beach Central. While they’ll need to find some new contributors, the team is young compared to some other programs.

Players like Tony Williams and Nedrick Boldin will likely step up for Palm Beach Central. Although someone like Boldin was stuck behind multiple seniors at wide receiver, both him and WIlliams received significant playing time and experience. 

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“Just like how we did last year, when we fell short in the regional finals, the younger kids, they got it together, they coached each other up, they yelled at each other and they said, ‘This feeling isn’t going to happen again,’” Haston said. “I’m just hoping they can keep this going forward and get us a state championship.”

PHOTO AND VIDEO CREDITS: Christian Proscia