STUART – It was a close one last night (Nov. 2) between third-ranked Jensen Beach and fifth-ranked Martin County.
The two best high school football teams in Martin County faced off against each for the King of the County Trophy. They faced off against each other for a year’s worth of bragging rights as well.
This Week 11 tilt was simply defined by a series of moments. In what was a low-scoring affair, any moment was a big one.
How did Jensen Beach (9-1 regular season record; best mark in school history) pull off its 14-7 road win over Martin County (5-4 final record)?
We will allow the video highlights to tell the entire story.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: There were just three game-changing moments. But all of them carried an equal amount of weight.
SCORE UPDATE
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Jensen Beach – 7
Martin County – 0
HALFTIME@JonnyAhern: TD pass to @ElvickJ with 5.5 seconds left in the first half @GavinHarte2: XP good (1-for-1)
🎥: @HurriSHane @JensenFootball @caffeyjbhs @Andy_Villamarzo pic.twitter.com/3Y6h93gajg
SCORE UPDATE
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Jensen Beach – 7
Martin County – 0
END 3rd Quarter@JensenFootball @CountyTigers_fb @Andy_Villamarzo pic.twitter.com/iwdGVr35KL
SCORE UPDATE
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Martin County – 7
Jensen Beach – 7
@Jshiiim: Pick-six to the house!@kidkickerjohn: XP good (1-for-1)
9:52 left in the fourth quarter
🎥: @HurriSHane @CountyTigers_fb @coachrodharris @Andy_Villamarzo pic.twitter.com/UE1paIe2WQ
SCORE UPDATE
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Jensen Beach – 14
Martin County – 7
5:45 left in the fourth quarter@DennisPalmer4: 3-yard TD run@GavinHarte2 : XP good (2-for-2)
🎥: @HurriSHane @JensenFootball @caffeyjbhs @Andy_Villamarzo pic.twitter.com/VrxoPYAUgn
After Jensen Beach 2024 running back Dennis Palmer’s 3-yard touchdown run and 2024 kicker Gavin Harte’s extra point, all the team did was two things:
- The Jensen Beach defense kept Martin County’s offense in check by not allowing much yardage on the ensuing drive.
- When Jensen Beach got the ball back on offense, the unit churned positive yardage to gain first downs so they could run the rest of the clock out. This strategy sealed the win for the road team.
Watch how Jensen Beach celebrated its landmark win over Martin County right below.
FINAL
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Jensen Beach – 14
Martin County – 7@JensenFootball: Ends the regular season at 9-1@CountyTigers_fb: Ends season with 5-4 record and will likely be eliminated from @FHSAA 4S playoff contention@caffeyjbhs @Andy_Villamarzo pic.twitter.com/2KXlHcQ64F
CELEBRATION TIME: @JensenFootball @caffeyjbhs rounds his team up and speaks to them on how they earned their 14-7 road win tonight over @CountyTigers_fb and more.@JBeachAthletics: Made history tonight with 9-1 regular season record 🏆@ElvickJ @DennisPalmer4 @JonnyAhern pic.twitter.com/TIKVSSJZB3
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Instead of quoting the Jensen Beach players in writing, we want you to hear their reactions to last night’s victory and more.
Interview: @JensenFootball @ElvickJ recapped his TD catch from @JonnyAhern with 5.5 seconds left in the first half to help his team get a 7-0 lead and eventual 14-7 win over @CountyTigers_fb.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
The @JBeachAthletics ‘24 ATH also reflected on his regular season.@caffeyjbhs pic.twitter.com/wrlMHrwmws
First-ever in camera: @najitobias 🔥@jasoncurryjr spoke on how he helped @JensenFootball earn its 14-7 road win tonight over @CountyTigers_fb and more.
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
🎥: @alisonvilela0 @caffeyjbhs @JonnyAhern pic.twitter.com/N7xSKIOjit
Interview: @JensenFootball @DennisPalmer4 spoke on his 3-yd. TD run w/ 5:45 left in the 4th quarter of his team’s 14-7 win over @CountyTigers_fb and much more.@caffeyjbhs pic.twitter.com/HfzJxYqU9z
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
Interview: @JensenFootball @JonnyAhern threw a TD pass to @ElvickJ w/ 5.5 sec. left in the first half to help his team get 7-0 lead & eventual 14-7 win over @CountyTigers_fb. He spoke on that play and more.@caffeyjbhs @jasoncurryjr pic.twitter.com/kKZA9ZnCwm
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 3, 2023
PLEASE NOTE: With the win, Jensen Beach will await its Class 3S-Region 3 seeding on the FHSAA Selection Show, which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5.
ONE FINAL NOTE: With the humbling loss, Martin County has been effectively eliminated from Class 4S playoff contention this season.
COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Alison Vilela
