PAHOKEE – The game is over.
However, a breakdown of each team’s strengths and areas of improvement are necessary to be highlighted.
This game was a head scratcher for those that were not there.
PAHOKEE BLUE DEVILS
Observation: Pahokee (4-2) will need to establish its kicking game sooner rather than later to win close games. Not having a reliable kicker changed everything for the Blue Devils.
The Dwyer game might have gone into overtime or sealed the game early on, instead of the 14-12 loss that happened.
But who knows?
On the offensive side of the ball, Austin Simmons is one of the top quarterbacks in the county and he is starting to put the pieces together. Although he is a sophomore, his development this season has been great.
However, Simmons still has some growing to do when put in high pressure situations, especially when the offensive line has its hands full.
Sophomore wideout Hardley Gilmore is a great assest to the Pahokee offense. He separates from defensive backs quickly and often.
But Gilmore will need more touches, along with senior Tony Martin, to help the Blue Devils offensive attack become more lethal and versatile.
Jashon Benjamin is one of the top running backs in Palm Beach County. But he is carrying the load, which makes teams lock in on him instantly for a taxing experience.
Benjamin runs hard and does not back down from a challenge at all. He is featured on defense sometimes as well.
Benjamin is the heart beat for the Blue Devils. He has a level of intensity and calmness about himself that makes the team and coaches trust him.
Deejay Holmes and Jacorris Foreman are grown men on the field and anchor Pahokee’s front seven. Pahokee’s defense is championship caliber, but the secondary will need some adjusting when it comes to covering deep threats.
I trust that the Pahokee staff addressed this early and often this week with Atlantic’s Air Raid offense coming to town on Friday (Oct. 7).
The Blue Devils have the recipe for success. It is evident if you stand on their sideline for any amount of time during their games.
Nobody flinches or panic when a bad play happens, and their coaches are constantly communicating and making smooth substitutions. Being able to finish games will be the next step that shows Pahokee’s true value to those doubting this team at the moment.
Kickoff for Pahokee’s next home game against Atlantic (3-2) is tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m.
DWYER PANTHERS
If Dwyer can get some more guys healthy and improve consistency with its offensive line, this collective would be the team to watch in Palm Beach County.
Dwyer is literally two or three guys away from being playoff ready.
Junior quarterback Shyeia Deveaux is flying under the radar right now. But he has star potential, as he seems to be gaining more confidence as a signal caller every game, especially with the coaching staff trusting him to execute their game plan.
Kyle McNeal and Mikail Lee are a dynamic duo for the Panthers. They will need to keep clicking on both sides of the ball moving forward if the Panthers going to run the table the rest of the way.
Dylan Reiman, Kerrington Lee, and Kenny McNeal are playmakers on the defensive side of the ball and will need to keep their push going early and often in games. It’s not often you’re able to get two 6-foot-5-plus guys on the same defensive line (Reiman and Lee).
Dwyer’s defense is good enough to score every game, if need be.
The only thing that makes me a little nervous about Dwyer is if star running back Alex St. Julien’s touches are lessened because the run is getting stuffed – which was the case against Pahokee – opposing teams may start to lock in on the pass and potentially make this team one-dimensional.
The good news for the Panthers is that they probably will not face another defense like the Blue Devils until the playoffs, so they have plenty of time to make adjustments.
Dwyer’s coaching staff has got their guys to buy in early, and it’s paying dividends as we near the tail end of the regular season. Even if one part of the game plan isn’t going right, their ability to adjust is second to none, especially with this injury-ridden squad missing nine guys from the lineup.
Play calling, encouragement, and toughness from the Panthers coaching staff has been one of the driving forces as to why this team’s train keeps rolling.
Dwyer has a short week and will look to get some guys healthy prior to its matchup against a struggling Forest Hill squad that has a 2-3 record. I can imagine the Panthers will extend their win streak to four at home against the Falcons and implement all needed adjustments.
Dwyer is to be slept on no more.
