JENSEN BEACH – It is time for everyone to stop sleeping on Jensen Beach.
For the first time in school history, the Falcons have won nine games in a season. The special landmark moment occurred this past Friday night (Nov. 11) in the FHSAA Class 3S-Region 3 quarterfinal against crosstown rival Port St. Lucie.
A seemingly close game broke into a 51-12 blowout win for No. 2 seed Jensen Beach (9-2).
Here’s how the second half went down.
Port St. Lucie senior running Saleem Felder scored two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, including one that was a long 95-yarder to the end zone.
Felder’s two scores cut Jensen Beach’s lead from 18-0 to 18-12.
And then Port St. Lucie’s defense was in position to bottle Jensen Beach up and force a turnover on downs.
On a fourth down play, Jensen Beach junior running back Dennis Palmer Jr. was corralled by a host of Port St. Lucie Jaguars.
It was close. It could have gone either way.
But Palmer Jr. found a way to get in the right spot for a first down.
It changed the entire game for both teams.
From there, the rout was on.
From the Port St. Lucie 25-yard line, Jensen Beach powered its way right down for the score. The momentous drive reached its climax point when Palmer Jr. pushed the pile down from the Port St. Lucie 2-yard line to the end zone.
With Gavin Harte’s extra point, Jensen Beach took a 25-12 lead over No. 7 seed Port St. Lucie (5-5 final record).
The next Jensen Beach offensive drive ended with a 65-yard run to the end zone by Palmer Jr. And with another extra point from Harte, it was 32-12 in favor of the Falcons.
The game’s final three scores came from future stars Dy’lond Holmes (sophomore running back – two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter) and Brayden Rambo (freshman linebacker – defensive touchdown off a fumble recovery).
Rambo’s score was probably the best one of the game, considering the fact that we do not see defensive linemen scoring too often.
The freshman’s defensive touchdown was made possible by a forced fumble from sophomore defensive end Julius Puryear, who paved the way for the fumble recovery and game-icing moment.
Jensen Beach head coach Timothy Caffey spoke with his team after their historic win on Friday night.
“You guys are a unique team,” Caffey said to his players. “You guys got that way about you. It’s called swag.”
The Jensen Beach players responded quickly.
“Got that drip,” they all said enthusiastically. “Yeah.”
Caffey to his players:
“I’m proud to represent you,” he said. “I’m glad you’re representing this program. This is something you’ll always be remembered for…You’re legends now.”
Caffey reminded his players to make sure this team does not stop here. He wants them to go beyond nine wins this season.
Caffey is referring to a possible deep run in the Class 3S playoffs.
“Why not us?” Caffey asked the players and his assistant coaches aloud. “They’re going to quit sleeping on us. We’re not just here because we have good wins. We’re here because we have a lot of wins. We’re a damn good football team.”
SIDE NOTE: Palmer Jr. finished the game with four rushing touchdowns.
NEXT GAME FOR JENSEN BEACH: Friday, Nov. 18 at home (7 p.m. kickoff) vs. No. 3 seed Sebring (8-2)
OTHER TREASURE COAST PLAYOFF GAMES
CLASS 4S-REGION 3 QUARTERFINAL: No. 4 seed Melbourne 28, No. 5 seed Centennial 16
Eagles senior athlete Lamar Wilson connected on three field goals and senior linebacker DJ Dunbar recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score.
But this was not enough, as the Bulldogs (9-2) overcame an early 6-0 deficit to effectively eliminate the Eagles (6-5 final record) from the FHSAA playoffs and end their season on Saturday (Nov. 12) in Melbourne.
CLASS 4S-REGION 3 QUARTERFINAL: No. 1 seed Vero Beach 24, No. 8 seed Harmony 14
Indians freshman athlete EJ White was the star of last night’s (Nov. 12) playoff opener. He scored two touchdowns and passed for another one late in the fourth quarter to Florida State verbal commit/senior wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs.
This was a tougher-than-expected game for Vero Beach (10-1), as Harmony (6-5 final record) kept it close until the very end in Vero Beach.
NEXT GAME FOR VERO BEACH: Friday, Nov. 18 at home (7 p.m. kickoff) vs. Melbourne in the Class 4S-Region 3 semifinal
