Davie, FL — The largest class in high school football in Florida is arguably the deepest. Two teams making headlines this offseason were Miami Palmetto and Western (Davie) with their collection of talent. Headlining those transfer additions were four-star defensive tackle and Miami Hurricanes commit Savion Collins for Palmetto and four-star safety James Williams for Western. Both teams won their playoff openers last season only to be shutout in round two.
The two teams squared off in a kickoff classic preseason exhibition game Thursday night in Davie. The game serves as a tune-up game before the following week when games count toward making the playoffs. One team is feeling confident that they can move farther in the playoffs than the previous season. That team tonight was Miami Palmetto as they shutout Western 23-0 behind three defensive scores.
“That is what our defense should be doing,” said Head Coach Mike Manasco. “When you have guys that love football the way those kids do and compete against each other. That’s the way it should look.”
HALFTIME: Leonard Taylor @56reasons_ adds safety in second quarter and @jasonjr3_ makes this sick catch at the back of the end zone to extend the @PantherPride305 lead 16-0 over Western. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/A4f96BP0k7
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 16, 2019
Four-star junior Jason Marshall contributed on both sides of the football scoring on both offense and defense for the Panthers. Just before halftime, Palmetto was able to execute a drive engineered by sophomore quarterback Kevin Smith. Smith bought time to make most of his throws on the run throughout the game.
Smith found senior receiver Kentron Poitier on several occasions on the night and connected with the three-star to get the Panthers just outside the red zone late in the 2nd quarter.
The drive ended with Marshall leaping to catch a pass at the back of the end zone. It was the only offensive score of the game. Marshall would earn the Football Hotbed MVP honor.
Manasco celebrated his birthday on the night but feels his young team has so much more to grow.
“That play at the end of the half was unbelievable,” said Manasco. “Our offense made some mistakes but they made some plays. That’s why we play this game. That’s how we learn who we really are.”
Syracuse commit Robert Hanna started the scoring for Palmetto by stepping in front of a Western pass and returning it for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Junior Leonard Taylor added a safety by sacking starting Western quarterback Cedquan Smith in the endzone with 2:12 to go in the half. Western failed to sustain drives with Taylor and Collins clogging up the running lanes. The Panthers took a 16-0 lead into halftime.
“I didn’t know what we were going to have with those two guys because they never played together,” said Manasco of Collins and Taylor. “The combination of those two when they get it going, you are not going to find a better combo.”
Taylor said the top five schools recruiting him are Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, Miami and Florida. Taylor said Florida is leading his top five based his relationship defensive line coach David Turner.
“He keeps it real with me,” said Taylor. “He shows me moves I have never seen before and I tried them tonight and it worked.”
Both teams have one of the best defensive back units in the state but Palmetto had the better showing on this day as the starting defensive backfield registered three interceptions. Freshman quarterback Colin Hurst attempted to give the Wildcats a spark in the second half and did so moving the chains with his arm and his legs, but unfortunately for Hurst, the Panther DBs are tough to throw against.
Three players, three picks. @PantherPride305 DBs @cityrob_305, @jasonjr3_ and @_ccollierjr2 all get interceptions in kickoff classic against Western. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/16d5AmgpgW
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 16, 2019
Corey Collier picked off Hurst in the third quarter and Marshall got his second score with a pick-six in the fourth quarter. Smith returned in the fourth quarter only to be picked off once again, this time by junior linebacker Corey Ema.
Second interception of the game for @PantherPride305 as @_ccollierjr2 locates this one. Early 3rd quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/zC91eIBfFq
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 16, 2019
Palmetto opens the season against Kevin Smith’s former team Miami Killian next week while Western will travel to Everglades in week 1.
After months of waiting, we finally have football games that count next week.
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