Story
American Heritage's defense stops Dwyer
Thursday, November 08, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Thursday night's "Palm Beach County Championship," as dubbed by host American Heritage, couldn't have ended more fittingly: With the ball in the hands of a defensive player.
Senior safety Xavier Swinton came down with the game-ending interception to seal the top-ranked Stallions' 13-7 slugfest victory over fourth-ranked Dwyer in front of one of the largest crowds a county game has seen this season.
Heritage (10-0) produced just 230 total yards of offense and lost 105 yards to penalties, but the Stallions' defense, which has allowed just 49 points this season, forced two turnovers and made four fourth-down stops to stifle a Dwyer team searching for answers as the regular season draws to a close.
Click here to see photos from this game.
"Our defense came through in the end," Swinton said. "As soon as we got scheduled to play Dwyer, we had it circled on our schedule. We wanted the perfect season."
The game's biggest play in a contest full of fireworks came in the third quarter, when senior American Heritage linebacker Evan Harvey, who transferred to Heritage from Dwyer before the season, sacked and stripped Dwyer quarterback Rob Nittolo at Dwyer's 1-yard line. Harvey's teammate, Rondarian Bell, pounced on the loose ball and gave Heritage a crucial 10-0 lead.
After the turnover, Dwyer (8-2) turned to sophomore quarterback Daniel Parr, who confidently led a 71-yard scoring drive and capped it with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Ezra Saffold. Parr was 5-of-5 on the drive, connecting with junior receiver Clint Stephens three times for 36 yards, and it appeared Dwyer had finally figured out American Heritage's stingy defense.
But Heritage didn't budge, instead adding a Greg Joseph field goal to extend its lead. On its final drive, Dwyer converted three third downs and one fourth down, but the final fourth-and-10 ended with Swinton's interception.
"I wouldn't expect anything else but a tough game," Heritage coach Stacy Sizemore said. "(Dwyer) is a good team. They're well-coached. They're fundamentally sound."
Dwyer's strong defensive line held All-American running back Greg Bryant to 69 yards on 18 carries. But the Panthers struggled all night on offense, managing just 71 yards rushing as a team.
Nittolo was 4-of-10 for 63 yards and an interception. Parr finished 8-of-14 for 71 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but neither quarterback had much time to throw in critical spots.
Dwyer has lost two of its past three, and didn't look as sharp offensively as it did in last week's must-win 21-16 victory over Royal Palm Beach.
"We have more questions coming out of this game than answers," Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said. "They're playing us five people in the box and we can't run the football. That's a real problem no matter who you're playing."
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User Comments:
Heritage parent commented on November 9, 2012 at 12:46 a.m.: report abuse
Both teams played well, great game, loved it ,kept you on your feet whole game. Both teams well behaved.....kudos to both.
BIGDAWG commented on November 9, 2012 at 6:11 a.m.: report abuse
Quoted from the water
Oh No D-Block We Suck Again!!!
Good season Panthers, Good season
Still ride or Die with my Dudes
D-Block for life
You Knowwwww
Forget pb championship commented on November 9, 2012 at 6:17 a.m.: report abuse
They should call this the transfer bowl.........or illegal recruiting bowl, that would be more fitting.
On to the Playoffs commented on November 9, 2012 at 6:52 a.m.: report abuse
Both teams played well.
Cant fumble in your own endzone and beat good teams.
Especially when they're this evenly matched
Good luck in the playoffs to both teams.
Not a Finger Pointer commented on November 9, 2012 at 7:40 a.m.: report abuse
Hey Forget pb championship....You need some cheese with that wine?
Get a life!
Great game!
BVECCHARELLA commented on November 9, 2012 at 7:47 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulations to the American Heritage Defense who has had an Outstanding Season. They are amazing to watch. They definately Won this game for us!! Dwyer really worked us and that OK....its Great Football!! GO STALLIONS, we are not done yet.
Dwyer Coaches Need Wake commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:06 a.m.: report abuse
The O-line is missing it. Why in the he** would you have the biggest kid on the team standing on sideline and was a starter before an injury when your line is getting beat almost every play. Stop punishing kids for getting hurt!! The o-line coach needs to put the starting line back in place that took them to the 8 wins...and that is NOT the shortest, smallest kids on the team. Where's Coach Q to put the real line back in place and get rid of that backup line AND backup Line Coach.....
@ Palm Beach Championship commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:14 a.m.: report abuse
Recruiting for HS sports is illegal. Obviously American Heritage is following the rule set forth by the FHSAA.They have investigated American Heritage and found no wrong. so stop the whining and embrace the fact that PBC has arguably the best small school football team in the country.
Touche! commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:27 a.m.: report abuse
For Evan Harvey.
DJAY69 commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.: report abuse
Dwyer had good regular season. It would have been great, ,if they didn't have to play DELRAY!
PIP-Squeak commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.: report abuse
Great game last night. I think both teams will advance deep into the playoffs. "DEW"
@Dwyer Coaches Need Wake commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:17 a.m.: report abuse
Stop it. Your kid is soft and slow. He isn't good. He should have stayed at Jupiter. He's not a good football player. Get over yourself.
@@Dwyer Coaches Need Wake commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:38 a.m.: report abuse
^^^^You took the words right out of my mouth! Get over yourself is right! Big doesn't mean good.
Coach IT Up! commented on November 9, 2012 at 10 a.m.: report abuse
Coaches, please listen. This is intended to help you. Play calling is predictable. That is not a knock, it is sound football. Your leader of the offensive line last year (Meister) played Center. Play him there now. It is better than him standing beside you while the unit is struggling. Parr is the QB. Pull the trigger and bring a spark to the TEAM. Individuals don't win championships, teams do. Good luck Dwyer, I'm pulling for you! Do what is right Jack!!!
PROUD MOTHER commented on November 9, 2012 at 10:18 a.m.: report abuse
Congrats Heritage you really did it last night...Kudos to Dwyer you gave us a run for our money, you are a great team, had fun playing you..This was actually the game of the year. Congrats to my boys "Brotherly Love" so proud of you, this is only the beginning, the only place we can go is higher. We going out with a BANG!!!!!!!! TEAM DAVIS #1 and #7.....To all the haters.....Give Heritage their PROPS...Yes we are a small school but we have BIG hearts, ready for anything that comes our way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dorsey1 commented on November 9, 2012 at 10:29 a.m.: report abuse
Northeast Oakland Park high school is up next for the Panthers-
They will have to contain the best player on the field in that game by the name of Stacy Coley-who happens to be the WR in the state-
The most talented receiver since Issac Bruce to come out of broward-
I think Dwyer advances though-only to play St.Thomas Aquinas-
Should be interesting.
Malik Brown and Mark Kelly are as good as gets on this level-two beasts!
Confused commented on November 9, 2012 at 11:07 a.m.: report abuse
Great Game between both teams Last night, although I'm still confused as to why:
1) Rob Nittolo who's supposed to be the starting QB for Dwyer was taken out in the second half. Parr is no where near the level of Nittolo. He panics under pressure. It is evident that Nittolo is the reason Dwyer will make it as far as they do in play offs. It showed in the Lake Worth game and in the Royal Palm game. You don't play him. You will not win, Dwyer.
2) why was Malik Brown not playing yesterday? What good does it do the team if one of their best players is on the side lines? These coaches basically gave the game away last night when it could have been easily won with the right people on the field.
If Dwyer wants to continue on into the play offs, their coaches need to majorly step it up and stop handing these games away from stupid play calling and decision making. I'd love to see the rematch between Manatee and Dwyer. Good luck on your road to States
@confused commented on November 9, 2012 at 11:12 a.m.: report abuse
dude you are delusional. first, malik brown was wearing a different number and played all nite. 2nd if you think nitolo is a better option than parr plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz dont ever get into coaching or scouting. thats all
Confused commented on November 9, 2012 at 11:19 a.m.: report abuse
Yes and Malik did not play the entire game. He was taken out at a certain point last night. And yes I do think that. Parr is not at the level he needs to be in order to be the QB for Dwyer.
Just saying commented on November 9, 2012 at 12:09 p.m.: report abuse
Malik was hurt in the Royal Palm game, after recovering the fumble. Therefore, the coaches made a decision to reserve him for the playoffs. He did play until the 3rd quarter in the #99 jersey.
Steele Curtin commented on November 9, 2012 at 12:28 p.m.: report abuse
Jack must of forgot the saying Defense wins games. Special Teams wins Championships. He had two chances to get Field Goals. He choose $th and out Had he kicked the FG the stage would of been set for the game winner in the end. It was a great game but C.O.Y. goes to Stacy Sizemore for out-coaching Daniels. Stacy didnt hesitate to kick field goals.
Fan of Dwyer commented on November 9, 2012 at 12:38 p.m.: report abuse
Anyone that thinks they could do a better job than any of the Dwyer coaches is sniffing glue... these coaches work tirelessly and they are great coaches. The players need to make plays too... right?? Look they lost to American Heritage... Heritage is bona fide heavyweight champ... Dwyer players and coaches should have no shame... the battled... Dwyer was the only offense to actually reach the endzone, and their defense was as it's usual self... very stout!!! These two teams are state finals caliber... if you got to watch it in person last night... you got to see a good old fashioned slober-knocking, snot-bubble blowing, donneybrook of a game.
I look forward to these kids at Dwyer using this game as fuel for their deep playoff run, and hopefully a shot a State Champs.
@ to the "@ dwyer coaches...." commented on November 9, 2012 at 1:01 p.m.: report abuse
Leave that kid alone and his parents. He has done nothing to you.There is nothing wrong with a parent being proud about their children. I' m sure when you have the chance you do the same. Probably the only reason you 3 are even saying anything is because your kid is on that line and, you have seen your kid mess up allot but don't want to admit it or maybe your intimidated by him. I bet you have to hide behind your computer to attack the kid instead of saying the things to the kid or his parents faces or owning up on your comments on here.
@ biggest players dad commented on November 9, 2012 at 1:40 p.m.: report abuse
Being the biggest player on our team means nothing if you are soft.You came from softest football team in all of Fl. He is just BIG. No foot work,heart should I go on.
Maybe he should have stayed at Jupiter he could have excelled on a sorry team,
@ confused commented on November 9, 2012 at 2:38 p.m.: report abuse
The player you speak of can't think in the pocket, can't adapt to change in the play and can only pass to his best friend. Under fire he fell apart. The younger QB was #3 all season, went down to JV and rocked it. Now he is asked to come out and pick up where RN left off in a varsity game against the other crosstown powerhouse. As an outside observer, I think you have it completely wrong. If you switch the names in your comment around, then you have it right.
I thought last night was a great night for football, and I hope Dwyer and AH continue on a successfull playoff season.
@ the three "get your facts straight" commented on November 9, 2012 at 4:33 p.m.: report abuse
1st - I want to appologize to the big kid on the Dwyer team. As an outside observer, because of what I feel, observe and post you now have some idiots verbally attacking you and your parents.
2nd - Its funny when someone says something good about a player, its automatically assumed to be a family member. My name is CB Davis from Riviera Beach and I posted and approved my post "Dwyer Coaches......."
Now be a man and stop hiding in your closet with your keyboard! Own up to your accusations!!!!
Dexter commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:35 p.m.: report abuse
If AH plays anything like they did against Dwyer last night they will get destroyed by University School. I watched University play early this season and really don't see how AH is going to beat them. They have division one prospects at EVERY position on the field. AH is going to have to have a turnover free game to have any shot at all. Anyways, it should be one of the top games in the nation this year.
Really commented on November 10, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.: report abuse
Ah will loose to Chaminade if they play this way... will not get the chance at University
Hahahaha commented on November 10, 2012 at 1:29 p.m.: report abuse
Did it ever occur to anyone at all that this game didnt count for anything other then Palm Beach county bragging rights? I do believe Heritage held back considering that during one of the 1st plays.of the game one of the Dwyer players tried to twist Gregs ankle. Everyone was concerned about preventing injuries. Chaminafe and University should stay off the Palm Beach County Blogs and stop hyping themselves up... worry about the locker room and what you get done on the field and stop worrying about the computer.
Riviera Beach commented on November 10, 2012 at 1:49 p.m.: report abuse
Guarntee you Chaminade and University don't have a D anywhere near Dwyer. When have you ever seen Greg and Marcus shut down like that.
shocking commented on November 10, 2012 at 3:21 p.m.: report abuse
Riviera Beach has something nice to say.. nice. Impressed
Crazy commented on November 10, 2012 at 3:57 p.m.: report abuse
Rob Nittolo is the best qb in the game and if you left him in you would of scored three touchdowns . you guys cant be that stupid . PERIOD .
@ Crazy commented on November 10, 2012 at 4:01 p.m.: report abuse
Could not agree with you more The kid Nittolo knows the game !
Pub commented on November 10, 2012 at 4:38 p.m.: report abuse
When Dwyer beat Royal palm a must win game the played the right guy and he did the right thing. What happened in the Atlantic game and Heritage game parr and clay had chances to win and didn't . Play the right qb and win don't mess around now because you think the first playoff game is easy get prepared for the harder games with the right guy.
@pub commented on November 13, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.: report abuse
point well made. Could not agree more. good luck to dwyer this week and the rest of the season! I'd like to see another state title.
@pub commented on November 13, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.: report abuse
point well made. Could not agree more. good luck to dwyer this week and the rest of the season! I'd like to see another state title.
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