WEST PALM BEACH – Obrian Edwards is both a realist and optimist.
The Palm Beach Lakes offensive coordinator has been around for his team’s high and lows over the past few years. He’s one who is adept at making adjustments when it’s necessary and knows how to get the most out of his players.
Under the leadership of Rams head coach Al Shipman, he’s been part of perhaps the most successful run that Palm Beach Lakes has had in many years. One word comes to mind in regards to the Rams run to their second Class 7A playoff appearance in three years.
Loyalty.
This all-important quality has led the entire team to buy into the coaching staff’s overall plan of success. It has played a significant role in how the Rams (7-3) were able to reel off a regular season ending six-game winning streak and the No. 6 seed in Region 4 of the 7A postseason.
“It feels great qualifying for the playoffs,” Edwards said. “Many of our seniors will have the privilege of saying they had a pretty good high school career and qualified for the playoffs twice. It’s also a testimony of how great of a leader Coach Shipman is, along with our entire coaching staff.”
Palm Beach Lakes, which started with a 1-3 record, was a playoff bubble team the entire regular season. To make it over the hump, this team had to grind out a Week 10 win on the road over fellow bubble opponent Forest Hill.
It was a huge challenge for them because it was essentially a win or go home playoff situation. As a result of the Rams 31-21 comeback win over the Falcons, they were ultimately rewarded by the FHSAA for playing a tough schedule and winning when it mattered the most.
“The toughest challenge was making sure our players continued to hold their heads up high,” Edwards said. “Losing three out of four early caused some frustration. But understanding the situation and anticipating the possible emotions, our players could feel our coaches were prepared to act accordingly. The main strategy used was constant teaching to correct the little things that were haunting us. We also stayed in the weight room and continued to compete in practice.”
Once Palm Beach Lakes started winning again, the game came to this team easier and the whole environment got better. Aside from the season-shaping win over Forest Hill, the upstart program took down a former Top 10 team and Class 8A playoff bubble team in Seminole Ridge, a 25-0 win in Week 7.
The wins over Seminole Ridge and Forest Hill were enough to overcome the early season losses to Pahokee (1A; 28-19 defeat in Week 1), Dwyer (7A; 41-13 defeat in Week 4), and Trinity Catholic (5A; 25-6 defeat in Week 5).
“For us, the greatest regular season achievement was winning six straight,” Edwards said. “Beating a few top 10 teams felt good as well. Winning six straight gave us confidence, momentum and reassurance that we are a pretty good football team that has a chance to do special things.”
At this moment, Palm Beach Lakes will go into its playoff game as a slight underdog to No. 3 seed McArthur (9-1). Tomorrow night’s game (Friday, Nov. 9; 7:30 p.m. kickoff) will be a road matchup for the Rams.
What does Palm Beach Lakes need to accomplish in order to pull off an upset win in Broward County?
“To win this week, we have to continue to get better at the little things,” Edwards said. “We have to execute our assignments and take a no excuse approach. Everyone needs to embrace their role and do their job with fidelity. If we do those things, then the streak continues.”
One thing that Palm Beach Lakes thrives on now is the ability to overcome its doubters. It gives this team a special edge that their opponents can’t see much on game film.
“We honestly don’t care what outsiders think,” Edwards said. “We know at the end of the day, it’s just us. It’s better that way because you don’t have a bunch of fake people around the program. Our players fuel off playing for each other. They enjoy seeing their brothers succeed. The naysayers will always be there, even when we win it all.”
A playoff win over McArthur will likely result in a rematch with No. 2 seed Dwyer (9-1) in next week’s 7A Region 4 semifinals. Dwyer has a home playoff game tomorrow night against No. 7 West Broward (7-3) and will be expected to easily win that one.
“We are only focused on this week,” Edwards said. “McArthur has our full attention. We could care less about the school up north this week.”
Prediction: With Palm Beach Lakes being intensely locked in on the McArthur game, it will be a close one that could go down to the wire. In a tight battle, L.O.T. (Lakes on top) will happen in a 28-26 win and a rematch with Dwyer next week.
