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Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)
Miami, FL – Down 13-0 in the fourth quarter, Miami Palmetto finally gave themselves a chance to win scoring their first touchdown of the the game early in the fourth quarter. Thirteen first half penalties impeded the Panthers progress but they were able to overcome the mental mistakes to earn the victory over Coral Gables at Tropical Park.
“We came out sluggish, said senior quarterback Cairiq Rackley. “We had to turn it on after halftime. It wasn’t us that was down in the game it was just the penalties. Basically we weren’t down in the game we just had to pick it up.
Pick it up they did to the tune of 16 unanswered points. The rally started running back Ralph Williams scored a touchdown from one yard out on fourth down. The extra point was missed by kicker Tyler Larco, but he would get a chance to redeem himself. The Panther defense was impressive preventing Gables from getting into the end-zone all night. Difficulties were mostly on the offensive end for Palmetto until the final quarter. Rackley engineered the game tying drive going four of five for 72 yards with an 8 yard rush. He would find his big play 2020 receiver Kentron Poitier on a go route from 27-yards for the touchdown. Poitier, also an impressive basketball player, was able to jump in the air and come down with the football while draped by two defenders.
Kentron Poitier @kentron_p goes up and catches this one over two defenders! The junior receiver scored the game tying touchdown in regulation to help @PantherPride305 win in overtime. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/aQLMpQCaDp
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) September 21, 2018
“Number 8 is a special player,” said Head Coach Mike Manasco. “This is his first year back to football since eighth grade. I knew our offense would get going. We have some really talented guys over there. The defense kept us in it and our offense found a way to win it.”
The Panther defense was on the prowl in the second half as they were all game. The one touchdown given up by Palmetto was a 57-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Tijhani Brown. Bryan Lima forced a fumble that Palmetto would recover in Cavalier territory late in the fourth. Palmetto would set up for a field goal in regulation to tie but the attempt was blocked sending the game to overtime.
After a strip sack by Bryan Lima @PantherPride305 has a chance to win the game. Kentron Poitier drives team inside five to setup game winning FG with 1 second to go when this happened. Overtime at Tropical Park! @CAVALIERNATION1 @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/iLKHcQ4Gdf
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) September 21, 2018
Larco would convert a field on their first possession in overtime for the Panthers. Coral Gables would have a chance to win with a touchdown but fumbled the ball backwards setting up a 43-yard field goal attempt to tie. The try would come up short and the Panthers stormed the field.
“We go through adversity in every situation we can in practice and try to put kids in spots where they understand what to do, said Coach Manasco. “[The penalties] are so uncharacteristic of the way we play. That’s something we are going to have to clean up when we start our district play next week.”
District 8A-16 is one of the more competitive districts in the state. Miami Palmetto won its first district title since 1999 last year and is looking to build on last years success. The Panthers started their 2018 campaign with a 3-0 start before their match-up with Coral Gables Thursday night. After a nightmarish first half, the Panthers were able to persevere through adversity to remain perfect on the season.
Miami Palmetto officially begins district play next week versus Miami Southridge.
“We are going to have to play better, we are going to have to practice better, but I like my chance with 12 back there under center.”
