PALM BEACH GARDENS – When it matters the most, one can expect Brand Campbell to be at his very best.
The Palm Beach Gardens quarterback led his team to a thrilling 39-38 overtime road win in Week 1 over Atlantic (Delray Beach). He completed 19 of his 32 passes for 220 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception in the instant classic.
Campbell willed his way to put the Gators (1-0) in position for victory with his touchdown pass to junior athlete Keyon Stephens. The overtime score tied the game at 38-38.
From there, senior athlete Malcolm Tucker kicked the extra point for the road triumph.
“We kept the momentum up,” Campbell said. “Our sideline kept the energy going. I have faith in Coach OB (Palm Beach Gardens offensive coordinator OBrian Edwards). I have faith in Keyon. I rolled out and threw it to Keyon for the touchdown.”
Campbell (6-foot, 185 pounds) overcame a swarming Eagles defense that came through with the hits at many points in the Week 1 tilt.
“Next play, next play, next play,” Campbell said of how he powered through the adverse moments. “Every okay I get it, I go back up there and play. I do it for my team. I do it for my boys. These are my brothers and this is what we do around here.”
Palm Beach Gardens came back from a 32-17 deficit late in the fourth quarter to deliver on the overtime stunner over Atlantic (0-1).
For his epic performance, Campbell was selected by our Twitter voters as the co-Offensive Player of Week 1 – an honor he shared with Cardinal Newman senior running back Henry Bennett.
“We won this game,” Campbell said. “But it’s done. It’s over with. We’re going to continue from here.”
Now with Week 1 in the rearview mirror, Campbell is focused on a Treasure Coast powerhouse.
For Palm Beach Gardens, which moved up two spots from No. 5 to No. 3 in our latest team rankings, it must play outstanding across the board to upset Vero Beach (1-0) on the road in Week 2.
The Palm Beach Gardens game at Vero Beach will take place on Friday night (Sept. 2) at 7 p.m.
“It’s going to be a very competitive game,” Campbell said. “It’s certainly one you do not want to miss. Both teams are special, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Fred Self
