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VERO BEACH, FL–Since losing their quarterback during the first round of the playoffs, the Miami Palmetto Panthers have been using defense and some gritty play to keep their state championship hopes alive. Friday night in Vero Beach, Florida was no exception. Paced by University of Miami 2021 athlete Brashard Smith offensively and fellow Miami commit Leonard Taylor defensively, Palmetto raced out to an early 10-0 lead and held on to fend off the Indians 10-7 on the road.
.@PalmettoFB Head Coach Mike Manasco | on his teams heroic defensive effort and punching a ticket to the 8A @FHSAA state semi finals. @FootballHotbed #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/BxFjepgQPp
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
Smith, who basically serves as the team’s quarterback in a ‘wildcat formation’ began attacking Vero Beach during Palmetto’s first possession by running right at Indian defense. The ground game was a mixture of read option and the occasional pass by fellow backfield mate, RB Marlon Hanna
On the road in 8A @FHSAA regional final, @PalmettoFB takes a 3-0 lead over @VBFootball with 5:25 left in Q1. @FootballHotbed #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/YCbb9aIYzE
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
For his part, Hanna was the bigger passing threat and completed several passes while also running the ball just enough to keep the defense honest. Diego Naviaa 42 yard field goal made the score 3-0 and after Taylor strip-sacked Vero Beach’s quarterback to turn the ball over, Smith rushed in for the Panther’s only touchdown of the game. It would be enough.
Vero Beach made things very interesting late in the fourth quarter when a well-excucted hook and ladder play took the Indians all the way down inside the ten-yard-line. They would score on that possession bringing the score to 10-7 late. On the ensuing possession, Brashard Smith appeared to fumble the ball and a Vero Beach defender raced into the endzone for what looked like the go-ahead score but the referee ruled him down.
A few plays later, Smith would ice the game with a break out run and Palmetto would escape as their dream season continues after winning in overtime last week at Treasure Coast.
2021 #Canes Brashard Smith | @BrashardS | with the rushing TD after a fellow commit Leonard Taylor’s strip fumble on Vero Beach’s first possession puts visiting @PalmettoFB up 10-0. #hotbedworld @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/3h4rAcm9G6
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
Watch as five-start DT Leonard Taylor’s forced fumble gives Palmetto the ball with under two minutes left in order to ice the game:
FUMBLE: On 3rd down and trying to score with under 2 mins, @PalmettoFB gets a timely sack fumble. They take over up 10-7 with 1:04 left in Q4 @FootballHotbed #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/W632JtFkzE
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
Next up for Palmetto is Kissimmee Osceola High who defeated Newsome by the exact same score, 10-7. The state semi-final matchup will take place in Miami next week.
Post Game interviews:
#Canes commit @BrashardS after his Herculean effort running the ball and managing the offense for @PalmettoFB helping them to a 10-7 victory over Vero Beach. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/OYmCqF123v
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
Diego Naviaa’s 42 yard FG was the difference in @PalmettoFB road win vs Vero Beach in the 8A @FHSAA regional final. The @okckickingcamp product has got a college leg. @FootballHotbed #hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/Zj2AGD9gcu
— Brandon Odoi (@Brandon_Odoi) December 5, 2020
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