WEST PALM BEACH – It’s crystal clear by now that Palm Beach Lakes is on top of the Palm Beach County high school football landscape.
The Rams (No. 1/No. 1 seed; Class 7A-Region 3; 10-0) are still the only undefeated team in our area. And they just showed us all that they can come back and win a game in the final minutes.
Their most impressive win yet was a 32-27 thriller over No. 8 seed East Lake in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs last Friday night (Nov. 8). They came all the way back from a 17-0 deficit that occurred in the first half.
How did Palm Beach Lakes pull off its first playoff win at home in recent memory?
The connection between junior quarterback Tre’Von Taylor and senior wideout Christopher Johnson is what made it possible for the Lakes comeback to happen.
Down 27-26 with less than three minutes left, Lakes recovered a lost East Lake fumble on defense, which set up the win for the home team. Not long after a crucial fourth-down catch was made by Micah Butler, Taylor found Johnson for the game-winning touchdown pass with just 1:10 left in the game.
“Coaches called the right play and we made a big play at the right time,” said Taylor, who accounted for four touchdowns in the playoff win. “I felt like I got back into myself with that throw.”
Taylor on Johnson:
“Chris comes up big and he wants it,” Taylor said. “He is always trying to stay after practice so he could work on his weakness and try to improve his game.”
With the win, Palm Beach Lakes was chosen as our Team of the Week for the fifth time this season. The Rams also won Team of the Week in Weeks 3, 5, 9, and 11.
“It feels good,” Taylor said. “I couldn’t have done it without them. We have had a good year so far. We’re just working every day. We’re trying to stay focused and not get big-headed.”
Palm Beach Lakes senior linebacker Conroy Cummingham recorded a second-half forced fumble and added an interception to his tally against East Lake. He also had at least a couple of sacks and a few tackles for loss in his team’s playoff victory.
“Coach Ship [Head coach Al Shipman] believed in me and that made it easier for everyone else to trust in me,” Cunningham said. “We are all talented and bring strength to each win. Our coaches are great. They let go a little so we can see and understand how great we are.”
After the game, Shipman was treated to a Gatorade shower by his players. And after that, the Lakes players, coaches, marching band, and community of fans celebrated their win with each other.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized for the success we’ve had thus far,” Palm Beach Lakes assistant coach Obrian Edwards said. “It means a lot that the community positively recognizes Palm Beach Lakes.”
Next game for No. 1/No. 1 seed Palm Beach Lakes: 7A-Region 3 semifinals at home vs. No. 5 seed Venice (6-4) on Friday, Nov. 15; 7:30 p.m. kickoff
PHOTO CREDITS: Eddie Brock (Dirty Lenz MG) and Antorey Williams
