Miami, FL.- The drought has officially ended. For the first time in over ten seasons, Palm Beach County has secured their first FHSAA State Championship!
Today (December 13), the West Boca Bulls faced off against the Osceola Kowboyz in the FHSAA 6A State Championship. In their first State berth in program history, the Bulls looked to end their season off on a high note; with a fireworks show.
Right out the gate, West Boca’s defense forced their first of many three-and-outs, putting their offense on the field. West Boca’s offense trotted onto the field just behind mid field, and on their second snap of the afternoon, Mason Mallory found Kyle Andrews on a 60 yard seam shot to take an early 7-0 lead. (9:57 1st).
Following on their first display of dominance, West Boca’s defense forced ANOTHER three-and-out, this time, special teams didn’t fare well for the Kowboyz. Osceola lined up in normal punt formation, and as their punter began to kick, West Boca’s Xavier Reid blasted through the line, blocking the punt, putting the Bulls in very favorable red-zone territory. West Boca would go onto drive inside the seven, before John Farfan clipped an easy chipshot FG, extending the Bulls’ lead 10-0. (4:51 1st).
As we move midway into the second quarter, Osceola put together a very strong offensive drive, led by the powerful running of Taevion Swint. Swint was the lone source of life for the Kowboyz offense, as he continued to just pound the rock for chunk gain after chunk. This drive would end up being capped off as Taevion punched his way into the end zone for a 2 yard score (10-7, 4:25 2nd). This would be the score as we headed into the halftime break.
West Boca began the second half with a lengthy 4 minute drive, that ultimately was capped by another chipshot Farfan FG (13-7, 3:15 3). But, this is when the fireworks show began to reach its apex. With under a minute left in the quarter, Mason Mallory threw a beautiful ball into double coverage, but only where his receiver could grab it. Talented vertical threat Mark Hanniford leaped into the air, tipping the ball to himself, landing and turning on the jets into the end zone for a 43 yard TD reception. (19-7, :44 3rd).
The Hanniford show was NOT done there, as in the final moments of the contest, the West Boca offense was pinned inside their five. Sophomore stud Trey Moran dropped back, scanned the field, and launched another missile to a wide open Mark Hanniford, who proceeded to take it for a new State Record 93 yards to the house (26-7, 3:19).
As time wound down in the remainder of the game, West Boca’s sideline and student section began to celebrate, as the Bulls earned their first State Title in program history, ending Palm Beach County’s ten year drought (Prev. Champion Dwyer, 2013). The Bulls retain the overwhelming majority of their elite talent, setting themselves up nicely for a ‘way too early’ State title prediction in 2025.
With this being the final weekend of High School Football across the State of Florida, there’s no better way to go out than this.
Coach Potts and crew: congratulations on this momentous achievement!
