WEST PALM BEACH – Benjamin (5-4) took down rival King’s Academy (8-2) to earn bragging rights for the next year and a potential playoff boost.
Benjamin has been really inconsistent this year with up and down play, mostly due to injuries that had some key players missing earlier this season.
But in the regular season finale last night, the Buccaneers seemed to be healthy and looked like the team everyone expected them to be the entire year.
The Bucs started the game off really slow as they went back and forth with King’s Academy, with both defenses not letting up.
Although Benjamin’s offense was absent in the first half, its senior kicker Luke Casper came up big with two clutch field goals to give his team a 6-0 lead going into halftime.
“Those points were really crucial,” Casper said. “We don’t kick a lot of field goals. I’ve only had one prior. But long as I get to help the team, that’s all that matters. We played as a team and represented Benjamin well.”
Benjamin’s offensive struggles ended once the third quarter started.
Junior running back Chauncey Bowens struck out for 80+ yards to give the Bucs a 14-0 lead in the third quarter.
“We made some tune ups at halftime,” Bowens said. “We knew long as we stayed true to our game plan, we could execute like we did in the second half.”
Kings Academy’s defense had its hands full with Bowen, as he finished the game with 260 yards and one touchdown.
“I love my guys (the offensive line),” the Florida verbal commit said. “We had a guy go down tonight, but we had an eighth grader step up (Danny Suarez). I’m just proud of what they did tonight.”
King’s Academy scored once in the fourth quarter on a run by Marion Victor, providing a highlight moment for the home team.
But junior athlete Jacob Cosby-Mosley would put the nail in the coffin for Benjamin on a quarterback sneak score midway through the fourth quarter to make it 21-7.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Sophomore defensive end Amaree Williams showed up and showed out for Benjamin on defense. He seemed to be unblockable all game long, recording four total sacks, multiple tackles, and two pass breakups.
“We just executed very well,” Williams said. “We executed on the front line and it seemed like everything just worked tonight.”
Willams expanded on how Benjamin was able to dial up its pressure in the second half to defeat Kings Academy.
“We all got together and regrouped at halftime,” Williams said. “We got our groove now, something we didn’t have in the beginning of the season. And since then, we’ve been taking it and going with it.”
POSTSEASON LOOK AHEAD
King’s Academy still has the Class 2M playoffs to worry about.
Although this loss at home was tough, it has a lot to look forward to in the coming days as the FHSAA will announce playoff placing this Sunday (Nov. 6; 11 a.m.)
Benjamin is hitting its stride at the right time.
As the playoffs are coming up with most teams usually limping into it, the Bucs seem to be fully healthy and ready to take on anyone that lines up across from them.
PHOTO CREDITS: Christian Proscia
