BOCA RATON – At 5-2, St. John Paul II has been the most improved private high school football team in Palm Beach County.
The Eagles advanced to the Class 3A-Region 4 quarterfinals by virtue of a 49-0 home win last week over Everglades Prep (Homestead) in a postseason play-in game. They got it done on offense, defense, and special teams.
Our Team of Week 9 got 11 carries for 137 yards and two touchdown from sophomore running back Matthew Wilson. They also got two touchdown passes from senior quarterback A.J. Sheridan, one of which went to sophomore athlete Benjamin Laurore in the second quarter to give them a 21-0 lead.
And later in the game, Antonio Scionti got his own rushing score on a 3-yard run to the end zone. That made it a 42-0 lead.
“We’re a different team,” Scionti said.
Eagles sophomore linebacker Roderick Parker added two blocked punts for the special team in last week’s game.
“I had a good performance, but next time I’m gonna have to do more,” Parker said.
Eagles head coach Kelcey Brooks has his players in peak form at the right time. It is believed to be the program’s first FHSAA postseason win in more than 10 years.
“It’s always great to get a victory,” Brooks said. “I just thank God for allowing us to get here at this point. It’s been a long time coming for this school.”
Eagles defensive back Kevin Braggs caught an interception that he returned for a touchdown. It came on the game’s second drive, resulting in an early 14-0 lead for the home team.
Braggs had two tackles on defense and 92 all-purpose yards in the win.
“We as a team have worked very hard over these past couple of weeks after losing two games in a row,” Braggs said. “Coach Brooks can be pretty hard on us sometimes. But we understand the mission and what it takes to be a winning team, so we don’t question it.”
Braggs had more to say about what Brooks has done for the Eagles program.
“The energy has been up,” Braggs said. “I believe each and every one of my teammates have the opportunity to do something under Coach Brooks and our coaching staff.”
The result of St. John Paul II’s victory is a rematch against Cardinal Newman (4-3) in the 3A regional quarterfinals on Friday night (Nov. 13; 7:30 p.m. kickoff). The Eagles are hoping to avenge their 25-12 road loss to the Crusaders from earlier this season.
“We know they have gotten better, but so have we,” Braggs said. “It should be a great game.”
Brooks offered what it would take for St. John Paul II to win its playoff game at Cardinal Newman.
“We can’t make mistakes,” Brooks said. “Football is a game of inches. We have to execute on offense, defense, and special teams. We have to win those battles. That’s a great team and a well-coached team, so hopefully we can compete and execute when we’re supposed to.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
