PALM BEACH GARDENS – Tyrone Higgins is building up the future right now.
In last night’s spring jamboree game between Palm Beach Gardens and Olympic Heights (May 15), it was the home team that kept a consistently high level of energy from start to finish. It resulted in a 20-0 win for the Gators, which was never in doubt.
The game only lasted two quarters, which gave Palm Beach Gardens a sense of urgency to score as early as possible. It happened near the end of the first frame, when 2022 running back Miles Coleman zigzagged his way across the field to reach the end zone in style.
Going into the second and final frame, Gardens was up 6-0.
At the 9:31 mark, the Gators rushing attack was on full display with 2021 running back Deon Lucien taking it straight to the house and giving his team a lift.
With the successful extra point, they extended their lead to 13-0 over the Lions.
And to ice the game with 2:50 left, 2021 quarterback Lynden Moss found 2021 wide receiver Brandon Watson on an open seam, which resulted in a very easy touchdown pass connection.
The extra point was good.
After the game concluded, Higgins spoke on how his team prepared for the spring jamboree against Olympic Heights and Miami Southridge (7-6 win over Gardens; 17-10 victory over Heights to take both of its games).
“Our guys did a great job with the time we had to go with a brand new offense and a brand new defense,” Higgins said. “The guys that came down from South Dade were first class. Olympic Heights was first class. It couldn’t have been a better night for us.”
Higgins wanted to see what Palm Beach Gardens had as far as potential is concerned.
“We got some quality opponents to see where our ceiling was,” he said. “We definitely need to work on a lot. But I’m proud of my guys, and I’m looking forward to the new season.”
Higgins was happy with his team’s effort against Southridge, even though it resulted in a 7-6 loss.
“When you get an opportunity to play a high level opponent, you got to take it,” he said. “That’s one thing I learned from Al Shipman when I was coaching under him at Palm Beach Lakes. That’s how you get better. To be the best, you got to play the best. Those guys are very good at what they do.”
SIDE NOTE: In Miami Southridge’s 17-10 win over Olympic Heights, the South Dade powerhouse withstood a solid running game from Lions 2021 running back Trotsky Horton.
The transfer from Georgia powered his way to the end zone on a 20-yard run with 4:30 left in the second quarter, which cut Southridge’s lead from 14-3 to 14-10.
Horton is likely to emerge as one of Palm Beach County’s best running back for the next two seasons. We got to see all that on display at this spring jamboree.
The other Olympic Heights points came on a field goal made by 2020 kicker Matthew Shook, which put his team on the board with 7:49 left in the second frame. He connected on the extra point after Horton’s score.
Final unofficial records from the spring jamboree: Miami Southridge (2-0), Palm Beach Gardens (1-1), Olympic Heights (0-2).
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
