PALM BEACH GARDENS – As many should know by now, Dom Presto is a big-time playmaker in more ways than one.
The Palm Beach Gardens senior linebacker had a performance to remember in this past Friday night’s (Dec. 11) home playoff game against Miami Senior High. He posted 7.5 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception return for a touchdown in the Gators 28-14 win over the Stingarees.
Presto’s MVP play was a pick-six that gave Palm Beach Gardens (4-2) a 22-6 lead in the second quarter. He jumped a Miami route and caught the ball at the Gardens 16-yard line, running it down the field 84 yards for the score.
“It was all about watching film,” said Presto, who will be playing college baseball for FAU. “My coaches Ryan Lavon (DB God), Matt Elam, and Ray Dixon put me in position to make big-time plays.”
Presto on his overall performance:
“It was a great all-around game,” said Presto, who is currently our No. 2-ranked outside linebacker and No. 22 overall player in Palm Beach County. “When you do your job and listen to your coaches, great things happen.”
Palm Beach Gardens defensive coordinator Ryan Lavon provided some commentary on Presto’s performance in Friday night’s Class 8A Silver semifinal game against Miami (3-4).
“The man just keep doing the little stuff that win games,” Lavon said. “Re-routing the wide receiver so it help the safeties out. Making open field tackles against the other team’s best athletes. Then making big plays on the ball when he gets the opportunity. The kid is a winner and he does everything we asked him to do, which is a lot.”
Presto will be playing in his final high school football game for Palm Beach Gardens (No. 1 seed) in the 8A Silver championship game on Saturday (Dec. 19; 3 p.m. kickoff) against Boca Raton (No. 2 seed; 5-1 record). The title game location has been set to be played at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami.
“There’s nothing to say,” Preston said. “The work we put in all year will show up, and hopefully we can cap this crazy year off with a title next to our name.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Ryan Lavon and Dom Presto
