Story
Dwyer earns berth in Class 4A state championship game
Friday, December 11, 2009
by
Cristina Ledra
Photo by Damon Higgins / The Palm Beach Post | Game photos | Click here for game stats
PALM BEACH GARDENS -- Dwyer's Matt Elam proved why he is the two-time Palm Beach County Player of the Year on Friday night.
The senior running back/safety ran 23 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns, and returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to lead the Panthers past Seffner-Armwood 41-15 in the Class 4A state semifinals at Blum Stadium.
Dwyer (13-1) will play Niceville for the Class 4A state championship at 1 p.m. next Saturday in Orlando.
Dwyer had a 21-0 lead at the half then Armwood (12-2) scored two quick touchdowns in the third quarter. One was the result of an interception, the other was a 6-yard run on the next possession that capped a 45-yard drive.
Dwyer, leading 21-15 entering the fourth quarter, then got a key interception from senior Mike Ruiz.
"That took senior leadership to get us out of that," Elam said.
Ruiz calmly walked to the Dwyer sideline, getting mauled by his teammates along the way after his 45-yard interception return sucked Armwood's rally dry.
"I just wanted to do anything to win," Ruiz said. "I just wanted to win so bad."
Two plays later Elam shed blockers as he stormed into the end zone, out of the end zone, and around to the Dwyer faithful, waving his arms because with 9:24 left in the game, he knew it was all but over and so did everyone else.
The Panthers played most of the game without linebacker Gerald Christian, their defensive leader, who had an ankle injury.
For Dwyer, the mission isn't over yet, but it was a big relief to get another step closer to a state title.
"A lot of our guys play two ways and theirs don't," Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said. "We started cramping up but they did a great job responding."
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User Comments:
Cheyne Seleski commented on December 12, 2009 at 1:53 a.m.: report abuse
GO PANTHERS!!! I was part of the team last time Dwyer went to states, and that didn't end so well.. :(
If anyone from the team is reading this, no matter who they are, the other team made it to states because they ARE a good team.. Do not underestimate them like we did to Venice. We dominated every team up until the championship game and then lost 77-14.. Play your best and I think everything else will work out :)
NICEVILLE ALUM DAVE commented on December 12, 2009 at 6:15 a.m.: report abuse
congrats Dwyer great job!!!!!! should be a great game next Sat in "O" town!!! may the "best" team win!!!! i have been so impressed with the Panthers this year! great defense obviously however, that offense of yours sound just as formidable!!!
Go Eagles!!!!
ray commented on December 12, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.: report abuse
Jack learned a lesson, do not hide film it will bite you in the can. All the teams that Dwyer played that year shared film with Venice. Jack has matured. Go Dwyer.
Dwyer Alum 07 commented on December 12, 2009 at 9:19 a.m.: report abuse
Congrats Fellow Panthers!!!
You have worked hard all year and now its go big or go home!
Don't underestimate Niceville
Joe Thomas commented on December 12, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.: report abuse
YO what happend to st thomas! how did they lose!!! NO WAY!
Joe Thomas commented on December 12, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.: report abuse
yo DWYER do it big for PBC
take dis home niceville is high ranked do it big man. yall do dat!
Larry Moretz commented on December 12, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.: report abuse
congrats coach Daniels and one heck of a football TEAM! Keep that focus and bring that title home... Keep up that hard working relentless attitude!!!!! congradulations, Larry Moretz
Scot Arnold (Team Sports Ministries) commented on December 12, 2009 at 10:52 a.m.: report abuse
Great win for the Panthers as they are now one win from bringing home the first state title in Dwyer history. You are at the door of a state title so knock it down.
Rooting for Glades Central today and congrats to Glades Day and American Heritage
ALUM93 commented on December 12, 2009 at 3:32 p.m.: report abuse
CONGRATS COACH DANIELS AND THE PANTHERS GO WIN!!! BEEN A LONG A TIME SINCE THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN AT STATE FINALS. BRING IT HOME
Samantha commented on December 12, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.: report abuse
CONGRATS DWYER AND COACH D !!! it was a great game lets bring home the championship boys !!!!
dlt commented on December 12, 2009 at 5:31 p.m.: report abuse
one more game guysand yall will make history by being the first team to win state for dwyer that means a lot bring it home guys we can do it
rob wright commented on December 14, 2009 at 12:51 a.m.: report abuse
I hate to spoil the party, but Niceville is gonna tear y'all up-I have seen both teams play-sorry-no contest-Niceville is a POWERHOUSE
dee gibson commented on December 14, 2009 at 1:01 a.m.: report abuse
GREAT JOB COACH D AND DWYER FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND STAFF . it been some time sent you been i was a freshman in high school and we lost but with the players and staff and support that you have you will bring back DWYER first CHAMPIONSHIP . GO PANTHERS
HERB TARLICK commented on December 14, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.: report abuse
HEY ROB WRIGHT, THE ONLY PARTY RUINED WILL BE YOUR LONG TRIP BACK TO NICEVILLE. IF YOU HAVE SEEN BOTH TEAMS ,THAN YOU KNOW THAT YOUR IN FOR A LONG AFTERNOON. GOOD LUCK BIG MOUTH. YOU HAVENT SEEN THIS SPEED. DOUCHEBAG.
CL561 commented on December 14, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.: report abuse
Niceville may be a very good football team with an excellent featured back and wide receiver but i can guarnatee they have not faced a defense no where near as good or especially as fast as Dwyer. That will be the difference in the game. Defense wins championships and this is one of the finest you will see.
THE MAN commented on December 14, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.: report abuse
Niceville is yet to play a team with less than three loses in the playoffs. There first three games were against teams they had already beaten in the regular season.
dlt commented on December 14, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.: report abuse
that guy has to be out his mind yea the might ok but wait to they see one of the best defensive i think in the nation they havent played noboby yet one thing dwyer cant dp is underestimate them long as they do that will win our first state ring
:]] commented on December 14, 2009 at 5:31 p.m.: report abuse
Niceville ain't ranked #2 in the nation for nothing kiddos:] This will be an awesome game!
t -hunt commented on December 14, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.: report abuse
I PLAYED ON THE LAST DWTER STATE TEAM N WE GOT SMASHED BY VENICE CUZ WE WERE UNDERESTIMATED THEM WE PLAYED N BULLED AROUND THE NITE B4 DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE
T-HUNT commented on December 14, 2009 at 6:06 p.m.: report abuse
GOOD LUCK PANTHERS! UN ROOTIN 4 YA BRANG IT HOME 4 THE 2000 TEAM N THA PBC BABY! OH N GOOD LUCK COACH "D" N STAFF
NICEVILLE ALUM DAVE commented on December 14, 2009 at 9:23 p.m.: report abuse
do you all really want me to go into the "real" stats for this game???? i have been a "NICE" guy so far, but even you people are getting on my nerves! what a buch of A - - holes!! gees!
papasedso commented on December 14, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.: report abuse
I have seen both teams play this year, it is my job to not only see the games around the state but to observe the players. I can tell all you this, I truely believe this game will be the game to watch in this country. Both teams are really good. Dwyer has a fast Defense, Niceville a fast offense. I feel this game will come down to the wire. Good luck to both teams, you deserve to be in the State Game. leave it all on the field.
nville commented on December 15, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.: report abuse
dwyers about to get smashed.
GOVENOR commented on December 15, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.: report abuse
MATT VS ROY FINCH
NICEVILLE ALUM DAVE commented on December 15, 2009 at 8:38 p.m.: report abuse
neither team got this far by being a "cupcake"! Niceville has a real good offense yes. Dwyer has a great defense & a good offense. Nicevilles defense "in my opinion" is not that good, however they probably had their best game against Edgewater last week. let me say that Edgewater was not that good of an offense to begin with! even though we did kinda give them rhose last 2 scores when the game was 34 - 7. Maybe they will have enough to hold Dwyer to 24. if so Niceville wins again going away 37 - 24. if not Dwyer wins big 41 - 27.
Dwyer '95 commented on December 15, 2009 at 8:52 p.m.: report abuse
Wow, quite an accomplishment to get this far. You must finish the deal. I was at Dwyer when they were 0-10 (1994) and 1-9 (1995). I will travel to Orlando and see you guys bring a state title home! Do not underestimate Niceville, they will have more fans and bring allot of intensity.
marc matthews commented on December 16, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.: report abuse
Sorry Dwyer
Niceville won't be nice!
RepDeVille commented on December 17, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.: report abuse
Niceville is goingggg to KICKKK that , Dwyer has never seen anything as amazing as roy and kody, and the only image of them your going to get is the back of there jerseys. Look for #24 and #3!!!! The whole rest of our team is raw too, see you crying after the game we will bring tissues. STATEEE CHAMPIONS 2009, Niceville we run dis
Ville Stompin commented on December 17, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.: report abuse
MY BOYS BOUGHTA STOMP YALL OUT FOLK, GOIN HAM ALL OVA YA, WE'LL MAKE SURE TO SEND YOU A PIC OF OUR BOYS FINGERS SHINING BRIGHT! YE AINT ICED OUT!
nhseaglesownu commented on December 17, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.: report abuse
GO EAGLES!!!!! The Panthers are going down!! Niceville is bringing the title home. Have fun in Disney World, you will need a visit with Mickey after your loss.
NICEVILLE ALUM DAVE commented on December 17, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.: report abuse
damn!!! sounds like the Eagle fans are coming out of the woodwork!
Roten Teufel commented on December 17, 2009 at 8:27 p.m.: report abuse
Should be a fun game to watch. Dyer appears to be really strong. I've heard allot about the Elam kid, but is it true that the Panthers have 15 D-1 prospects. That's what the local news station in Pensacola is reporting. Go Eagles.
Smiley commented on August 10, 2011 at 1:19 p.m.: report abuse
Last one to ultiize this is a rotten egg!
buy oem software commented on February 12, 2012 at 4:09 a.m.: report abuse
LuNTDZ Yeah, it is clear now !... Just can not figure out how often do you update your blog?!...
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