Story
Atlantic shocks second-ranked Dwyer
Thursday, October 18, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Atlantic's Brisly Estime breaks away from a tackle attempted by Dwyer's Julian Bembry during the Eagles' 28-12 win Thursday night. (Allen Eyestone/The Palm Beach Post)
With a minute left, Atlantic's cheerleaders debuted a rousing new cheer.
"We are winning, yes we are," they sang to the tune of Frere Jacques as a few Eagles players danced and sang along.
"Look up at the scoreboard, ha ha ha," the chant concluded.
But the result was no laughing matter for Dwyer: a 28-12 Atlantic upset of the second-ranked, previously unbeaten Panthers on their homecoming night. The Eagles (4-2, 2-1 District 13-7A) held Dwyer (6-1, 3-1) to 227 yards of total offense, 187 of which came on rushes by junior Alonso Smith, who scored two touchdowns.
Atlantic, usually known as being ultra-talented but maddeningly inconsistent, picked a fine time to put together its best effort of the season. The Eagles got two first-half touchdowns from senior Brisly Estime, mixed in plenty of the passing game, and rode an intense defense.
"See what happens when you put your teammates first?" Atlantic coach Chris Bean said to his team after he dried off from an ice-water bath. "W's, baby."
"We got outcoached," Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said. "Our players needed this. Our coaches needed this."
Before the first snap, Dwyer coaches took one look at Atlantic's setup and shouted to their defense.
"Watch the double pass," they warned repeatedly.
The ball was snapped. Sure enough, senior Jay Mentecky lateraled to junior Thomas Owens, who flung it downfield. It fell incomplete.
But Dwyer didn't have the advantage for long.
Thanks mostly to Estime, Atlantic led 21-6 at halftime in a game that started 45 minutes late because of lightning and was delayed for another 45 minutes just before halftime.
Estime, the Eagles' 5-foot-9, return man and receiver, put Atlantic up 7-0 with a 65-yard punt return less than three minutes into the first quarter. He dropped a wet ball but picked it up and outgunned Dwyer's coverage to the end zone.
Estime's touchdown was made possible by Atlantic's defense, which forced three punts, had two sacks, a quarterback hit, a pass breakup, and two tackles for loss through Dwyer's first three series.
They also had an interception: senior Marcus Gaskin intercepted Dwyer senior Clay Meister, thwarting a golden Dwyer opportunity. With only 10 Atlantic players covering a kickoff, Johnnie Dixon returned the ball 72 yards to the Atlantic 8.
Dwyer made good after a shanked punt set up the Panthers at the Atlantic 20 to start the second quarter. Junior running back Alonzo Smith took it 20 yards for a touchdown on the first play.
But with 8:34 remaining in the half, Estime caught a pass from junior Thomas Owens, made a quick pirouette and ran 24 yards to the end zone to make it 14-6.
Estime made a leaping grab and turned it into a 76-yard catch-and-run to set up a 14-yard touchdown catch by junior Adly Enoicy from Owens to make it 21-6. The game was delayed immediately after senior Nick Privitera kicked the extra point on Enoicy's touchdown grab.
Atlantic took the biggest momentum surge of its season into the locker room, while Dwyer, ranked 25th in the nation and untested by any team this season, searched for answers.
The teams resumed at 9:45 p.m., and on the first play, Dwyer junior Alonso Smith rumbled 55 yards. But Estime saved a touchdown with a tackle from behind.
Minutes later, Tevin Spells took an inside handoff 75 yards for a touchdown to push the Eagles' lead to 28-6.
A 43-yard touchdown sprint by Smith pulled Dwyer within 28-12 in the third quarter, but the Panthers would get no closer.
.
User Comments:
@ matt and jeff commented on October 19, 2012 at 12:18 a.m.: report abuse
do u guys have pics from the game?
not suprised commented on October 19, 2012 at 12:50 a.m.: report abuse
let see if atlantic can be more consistent throughout the rest of there season. Dwyer is over rated and it showed today..
armchairQB commented on October 19, 2012 at 1:20 a.m.: report abuse
Bout time. Dwyer needed that
Stallion Pride commented on October 19, 2012 at 2:09 a.m.: report abuse
Did the Dwyer boys believe their ranking would cause the other team to lay down? Maybe, they are only high school kids.
However it is going to get worse. They have Royal Palm Beach on 11/2 and six days later they have to play American Heritage. AHS beat Atlantic 29-0 in a driving rain storm.
Let's see how these boys respond.
Matt Porter commented on October 19, 2012 at 2:13 a.m.: report abuse
Driving rain storm? Not at that game.
Maybe you were thinking of Royal Palm's 13-0 win over Atlantic last season? That was played in a rain storm. The skies over Atlantic-American Heritage this year were gorgeous (check out my Instagram feed for proof).
Coach B. commented on October 19, 2012 at 4:03 a.m.: report abuse
I was a doubter. Go toe.
never under estimate a team commented on October 19, 2012 at 6:11 a.m.: report abuse
Atlantic came to play and if any other game they wanted to win it was this one. teams under estimate other teams which is what i feel happened Dwyer was distracted with home coming and felt they could beat Atlantic.
Tell me why commented on October 19, 2012 at 7 a.m.: report abuse
Dwyer understood clearly the talents of Atlantic players they were facing, they just didn`t know which team would show up for Atlantic. QB play is very important, that position has to play steady, and don`t lose the game. Both teams are as talented as any team in the state,at any giving time if team really and truly believe they can compete with you or beat you, it`s going to be a really good game. lastly defense win most of these games controling field position and the time. two great team, lets see who benefits from this game. I WILL BE WATCHING
work hard play hard commented on October 19, 2012 at 7:20 a.m.: report abuse
WE R PROUD OF U ATL.
It took the boys on the team to come as ONE !
U know those EAGLES don't take no mess
Get mad in a minute
Jump in your chest
Lets go Eagles
LET'S GO!
we know you!!!! commented on October 19, 2012 at 7:42 a.m.: report abuse
Congradulations players!!!!! Great effort!!!!!!! Atlantic!!!!!!!! Coaches this shows how bad you are!!!! Lose to Santaluces by 20 they beat santaluces by 40 and you beat WTD. You job is coaching and motivation you dont do either!!!!! Great game eagle players
@MattPorter commented on October 19, 2012 at 8:45 a.m.: report abuse
That was an insult, when you stated that "Dwyer's 1st AND 2nd team are too much for anybody in the county." Dwyer's previous games were flukes. They didn't play anyone that will gave them a fight. All the teams they played laid down. But Atlantic played a hell of a game against Dwyer. Not only Dwyer, but the the Refs too! Nobody wanted to see them win. Well done Atlantic!!
S/n : Never lose to a team in pink jerseys.
troll commented on October 19, 2012 at 8:48 a.m.: report abuse
St. Andrews over dwyer
Go ATL commented on October 19, 2012 at 9:37 a.m.: report abuse
Guys, ATL has been a different team since they replaced that transfer QB. It's sad that the senior Puente felt he had to transfer after putting in so much time and then getting booted for a transfer.
That said if this team doesn't finish strong I am going to be very disappointing in the coaching (as I have been since Bean returned). This is the chance to right the ship and get this team moving in the right direction. Just have to beat RBP and take care of business vs. Lake Worth and they should win a district title.
Put the talking to rest commented on October 19, 2012 at 9:52 a.m.: report abuse
Lol you guys are so funny 38-14 lol thanks to Jeff and Matt predictions it brought out a lil fairer in us. But trust me the train don't stop with Dwyer it just got going. Dwyer do have some good players but truly that's were it stops. Most of them on the team act like they are from the hood and are very undisciplined everything was given to them they didn't have the fight in them that they had when we started the game. When Ill hit them they was like dang bro chill naw its a mans game. Also there very over rated we didnt want to mess up the top 10 in Palm Beach County we wanted to shake something nationally. Dont ever talk be4 the game Zipped we Zipped them up get big and hit the weight room but its all in the pass Royal Palm next. Yall lucky we ant bring out the Neon nightmares lol. Will never lose to somebody in pink by the way have a good home coming. "see yall second round" CANT WAIT
What commented on October 19, 2012 at 9:59 a.m.: report abuse
Go ATL. buddy shut your mouth stop talking about Bean or any of are coaches your not there you don't know or understand the work, grind and time that they but into this program stop talking we are all we got no one gave us a chance the coaches believed in us and coach us like they never coached be4 stop the nonsense we will be good and are coaches will be even better the players cant do it with out the coaches and the coaches with out the players we are family so stay off my family back give us space.
I heard commented on October 19, 2012 at 10:04 a.m.: report abuse
Regarding the QB...." I heard coaches are going to play the real QB Tollo".......that is all find and good. I'm sure he can do a good job. He is a talented player. The only thing standing in his way are his parents. They need to sit down in the stands like all of the other parents and cheer on the TEAM. Running down to the fence and barking orders is only going to distract him and the rest of the players. Let the team and the coaches do their job. Their behavior is a complete embarrassment.
lol commented on October 19, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.: report abuse
Jeff and Matt can you guys plz implement a like button on here plz
Wildcat Pride commented on October 19, 2012 at 11:34 a.m.: report abuse
Enjoy it now ATL cause wee coming to bring you back down to earth . We won't underestimate you like Dwyer And we better on both sides of ball . RPB district champs Dwyer 7-3 and no playoffs
dwyer panther commented on October 19, 2012 at 1:35 p.m.: report abuse
Bashing on the pink jerseys? They're supporting a good cause.
As for ATL, we'll see you all again and RPB and AH- get ready. were coming back better then ever.
Dwyer is #1 commented on October 19, 2012 at 2:42 p.m.: report abuse
Win or lose, Dwyer is still the best. Everyone has games that don't go their way. Maybe this is what Dwyer needed. I don't except another loss this season. Not until playoffs or state semi finals at least. Nittolo is the one who needs to start. Plus is girlfriend is hot. But that besides the fact.
As for ATL, nice job. You guys should be proud. That's a huge win, but humble yourselves. You'll most likely see Dwyer again. Get ready for royal palm beach. It's not going to be easy. I don't believe Dwyer will let RPB beat them but I won't speak too soon.
frank bell commented on October 19, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.: report abuse
HaHaHaaaa the big bad Pink Panthers (didedidedidedideeeeeee) lol done lost to Atlantic. One thing i can say is that thats the one school that does not have a Muck Boy on thier squad. I told you earlier that "They Aren't Who Yall Thought They Were". No way GC shouldn't have beating them but i guess Atlantic should be named the best team in PBC lol get the fly out of here.
Jay-Rock commented on October 19, 2012 at 7:05 p.m.: report abuse
Glad to see another them be able brag a little. Good job Atl , enjoy the moment while you can. Don't count my Raiders out , watch me the second half. G C Raiders 4 Life!
you already knew commented on October 20, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.: report abuse
Should have been getting Nittolo ready these last 6 games
The kids has an arm, he can run and he can take a hit and get right up
the recievers should be use to one guy NITTOLO
Hello commented on October 20, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.: report abuse
Parr couldn't score 1 point in jv Thursday night against Seminole and he played 4 quarters and you want him to play on varsity ? Not!
daryll lions commented on October 20, 2012 at 9:52 p.m.: report abuse
Coach Toe really turned this team around
ATL FAN commented on October 21, 2012 at 11:25 a.m.: report abuse
WHO EVER THAT #34 IS REALLY LAID A HIT ON NITTOLO TOWARD THE END OF THE GAME........GOOD JOB ATL
ATL Alum commented on October 21, 2012 at 6:41 p.m.: report abuse
Great win Eagles! The sky is the limit when you believe and have heart! Keep up the good fight guys
Yes I said it commented on October 21, 2012 at 10:18 p.m.: report abuse
Ok good job ATLANTIC you deserve to throw the jokes, but after this what happens you won a football game but can you maintain this throughout the rest of the season. You all talk like ATLANTIC won a State Championship, beating DWYER or any other ranked team during regular season gives you 1 win not a championship. But good job guys that's the way to put some pride back in your area. @ Put the talking to rest
next time you don't need for everyone to know how ignorant you are by your comment (Most of them on the team act like they are from the hood) do you really know what a hood is.
dwyer X commented on October 21, 2012 at 10:19 p.m.: report abuse
i cannt understand y ATL lose the game they lose but their actin as if they won the chip they gave dwyer a good game last year too but i hope to c u guys in the second round because a playoff lost hurt much worst than a in season lost if any one was at the game jonny was running pass their cover 2 we need better qb n o line play that whats goin to keep us from the promis land if it dont get fix n ATL was goin at 36 n 6 of dwyer all that talent on the bench use it plz
reed canas commented on October 22, 2012 at 9:43 a.m.: report abuse
dwyer on top !!
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