BOCA RATON – One of the hottest connections in Palm Beach County high school football isn’t a quarterback to a wide receiver or even a quarterback to a running back.
It’s a wide receiver to a wide receiver.
Through two weeks, Santaluces wide receiver Ana’Tay Smith and Jamar Browder have combined for multiple touchdowns, showcasing an unlikely connection that has culminated in a 52-34 victory for Santaluces over Spanish River.
“Tay is my brother,” Browder said. “I knew him before he came to this school. He’s a fellow wide receiver.”
Of course, Smith playing quarterback wasn’t the plan, but it was the situation presented to Santaluces as they neared halftime against Boca Raton.
Following an injury to their regular starter, Shyeia Deveaux, Santaluces handed Smith the keys to their offense. Instead of having their starting quarterback out there, Santaluces was down to ‘Plan C.’
“All summer and spring, it was [Shyeia Deveaux] and [Chris Siska] at quarterback,” head coach Hector Clavijo said. “And although Chris is young, we feel comfortable with him coming into the backup role. But then Chris hurt his elbow, so he’s out for the season.
“In all reality, the backup only gets so many reps,” Clavijo continued with a shrug. “So, it is what it is.”
Lucky for Santaluces, Smith entered the season with some experience playing quarterback.
Two seasons ago, Smith played quarterback for Palm Beach Lakes. That experience has likely come in handy as, between the Friday night game against Boca Raton and the Thursday matchup against Spanish River, Santaluces only had two practices to prepare a gameplan with Smith under center.
“The good thing about him is that he plays offense. And he plays a lot. So, he has an understanding of what the offense is,” Clavijo said. “So, it was kind of shrinking the playbook and saying, ‘Hey, what do you feel comfortable with?,’ and let’s go with that. That’s kind of how we treated this week.”
Admittedly, Smith had a shaky start against Santaluces. As the offense began to stutter, Spanish River jumped out to an early 14-3 lead in the first half.
However, Smith soon from comfort with a familiar face in Browder. The connection helped Santaluces jump out to a 24-14 lead at halftime. By the early fourth quarter, that lead was quickly 38-20.
At 6-foot-5, Browder presents a unique mismatch for opposing defenses. There are few, if any, cornerbacks with the height to match him, and if the ball is in the right spot, he can turn a ‘50-50 ball’ into what Browder calls a ‘100 ball.’
That mismatch helps a Santaluces offense that can’t run the same reads with Smith throwing the ball.
“It helps a lot,” Smith said. “He’ll attack the ball if I throw it up to him. I can lead him down the field.”
Smith and Browder connected multiple times down the field, including a two-play stretch where Smith found him for a long gain and a 6-yard touchdown. The touchdown was one of Smith’s three passing touchdowns – the other two coming on a connection with Israel Marion.
Smith’s ability on the ground, however, has added an additional dimension to the offense. Along with his two passing touchdowns, Smith tacked on another two rushing touchdowns to his total, giving him five scores.
“It gives defenses problems because outside, you still have guys that can go get the ball,” Clavijo said about Smith’s running ability. “You want to play cover 0, like these guys started doing here, you better have some dudes out there to cover them. Which most people don’t.
“You got to either cover us, or play the run,” Clavijo continued. “And with [Smith], he can hurt you with both.”
Next up for Santaluces will be their annual rivalry game with Park Vista. Santaluces is hopeful that Deveaux will be healthy enough to return for that game, but if he isn’t, an entire week of practice should help Smith and the offense.
Regardless of who’s under center, next week’s game presents another must-win opportunity of Santaluces as they fight for an at-large postseason bid.
“Our playoffs started last week because you win last week, you’re automatically in,” Clavijo said. “I think with the win this week, I think we can seal the deal next week.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Proscia
