WELLINGTON – Palm Beach Central is on the cusp of something special.

Following a victory against Vero Beach, Palm Beach Central (10-0) is set to host the Class 8A-Region 2 final, where it will play host to Treasure Coast (9-1).

Despite it being a home game and despite the Broncos entering the game without a loss, the reality is that the game won’t be easy.

Treasure Coast hasn’t lost a game since Sept. 24 – a 56-55 road loss to Cocoa – and holds a win against a talented American Heritage-Plantation team.

In the 8A – Region 2 semifinal, Treasure Coast made light work of Boone (Orlando) with a 51-19 home victory. The Titans also have one of the better running backs – and overall players – in the area with senior running back Eden James, currently a Howard University commit.

And yet, despite all this, Palm Beach Central has proven the ability to find ways to win games.

Palm Beach Central earned a win last week in the 8A – Region 2 semifinal round against Vero Beach in unfavorable weather conditions. And a few weeks before that, Palm Beach Central defeated Wellington in the Wellington Cup to close out the regular season.

Earlier, Palm Beach Central handled Boca Raton and Forest Hill – both playoff teams – with relative ease.

When football teams win like Palm Beach Central has, a lot of things go right for them. A couple of bounces go your way, your star players make big plays, and, most importantly to Palm Beach Central head coach Scottie Littles, the team chemistry is through the roof.

“I could sit here and give you the great coach speech and tell you I’m this and I’m that,” Littles told reporters following the Vero Beach win. “That ain’t nothing but them kids loving each other. That ain’t nothing but them kids loving each other and wanting to have practice next week, wanting to spend time together.”

Palm Beach Central probably does not have the secret formula to winning football games – and if it did, it certainly would not give it away – but one thing this collective does have is a whole host of versatile players making plays.

“They’re all chess pieces. They all work together,” Littles said of his team.

Take quarterback Ahmad Haston, for example. Not only did Haston deliver a strike to wide receiver Javorian Wimberley to take an early lead, but he also made plays with his feet when the opportunity called.

“He’s amazing,” senior running back Markel King said of Haston. “Best quarterback I’ve played for. I love Ahmad.”

Even more under-the-radar is the play of Ben Moss.

It is almost hard to place a position on Moss because, frankly, he is more than just a tight end or a defensive end. He is a chess piece.

Not only is Moss used in blocking situations, but he’s asked to protect the punter on punt situations – serving as one of the upbacks – and rush the passer.

“A tight end for us that we never throw the ball to,” said Littles of Moss. “When you’re blessed with great wide receivers, you usually don’t throw to the tight end. But at the end of the day, blocks his tail off for his teammates and makes plays on defense.”

More noticeable is the play of Markel King, a senior running back who scored a 65-yard touchdown against Vero Beach to win the game for the Broncos in the fourth quarter.

“First of all, that last touchdown, he hit a gear I ain’t seen all year, in the pouring down rain. … He saw a crease and that’s loving each other,” Littles said.

“At the end of the day, I think the two people that have the biggest argument for Palm Beach County Offensive Player of the Year are on the same team, it would be Ahmad Haston and Markel King,” Littles continued. “And I think [Friday] Markel solidified and stamped his name in history.”

While King is a natural runner in space, capable of hitting second and third gears with ease, it’s his work in the passing game that makes him a different kind of running back.

Against Vero Beach, King had a touchdown called back for a block in the back penalty. Later in the game, Haston rolled out and found King to cut Vero Beach’s lead to 14-13.

“He’s not just a running back,” Littles said. “When he came here, he said “Coach, I do it all” and I think he’s proven that. He ran for God knows how many yards, he’s catching 50-yard touchdown passes, he’s making tackles on punt team.”

Overall, he’s an underrated player with a chip on his shoulder.

“I’m underrated,” King said. “I gotta show people that I can play. I’m undersized a little bit.”

King, of course, isn’t the only player making plays.

Palm Beach Central’s offensive line handled a big Vero Beach front, while its defense saw a crucial interception by Justin Bostic and solid play across the board.

And on special teams, Palm Beach Central executed most punts with clean snaps, a challenge in a game defined by its rain.

While Palm Beach Central continues to build something with its young players, this unit is one step closer this season and, right now, is not ready to end its season.

“Regardless of how the season plays out, we’re not done,” Littles explained. “We’re here for the long game, we’re here for the long haul. Most of those players … are juniors, and there’s some sophomores on the field. Man, we got a window here to do something special but like I tell ‘em, ‘Why wait?’”

PHOTO CREDITS: Kevin Fielder and Palm Beach Central Football