Story
Dwyer recovers 4 fumbles, limits Seminole Ridge to 99 yards in 39-0 win
Friday, September 14, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Seminole Ridge's sideline watched Dwyer wide receiver Ezra Saffold race downfield for a 25-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the third quarter. A gantlet of Hawks tried, and failed, to bring down the elusive junior.
"We just can't catch him," an assistant coach said. While he was speaking about that particular play, that line summed up Ridge's 39-0 loss to Dwyer about as well as anything.
The second-ranked Panthers (3-0) dominated No. 6 Ridge with their defense and had enough offense to keep the Hawks from contending. The score could have been higher if Dwyer didn't commit several drive-killing holding penalties, including two inside their opponents' 20 yard line.
But Ridge's mistakes far outweighed Dwyer's. The Hawks (0-2) bobbled the ball all night, especially in the return game, and lost four of five fumbles. Dwyer, which allowed only 9 points in a season-opening win over Glades Central, allowed just 99 yards of total offense.
Dwyer coach Jack Daniels said his team needs to fix misalignments on defense and shrink its penalty total (9 for 115 yards). Other than that, he said he was pleased.
Senior quarterback Clay Meister was 9-of-17 for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Playing special teams, he recovered a fumbled punt return in the second quarter. Four plays later, he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior Natrone Macon.
Just two plays into Ridge's ensuing drive, junior defensive tackle Mark Kelly recovered a fumble, knocked over a Ridge player with a stiff-arm, and rumbled 30 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-0.
"Our defense did a good job of gang tackling and stripping the ball," Daniels said.
Dwyer sophomore Peyton Shapiro kicked a pair of 32-yard field goals to put Dwyer up 20-0 at the half. Meister threw the 25-yard touchdown pass to Saffold in the third. Senior running back Cortney Lowery, the most consistent part of Dwyer's offense, had a 6-yard touchdown in the third. He finished with 84 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Late in the fourth, Dwyer junior Rob Nittolo threw 4-yard touchdown pass to junior Eddie Giles.
The Panthers dominated despite injuries and absences. Junior outside linebacker Shawn Boone (shoulder sprain) didn't play much and wide receiver Clint Stephens sat out. Daniels said Stephens would be back for next week's game.
Senior corner De'Andre Bozeman (knee) was visibly hobbled, but pulled down a third-quarter interception.
The Hawks were missing a starting right tackle and two starting linebackers to injury, but coach Matt Dickmann made no excuses from that or the week of practice the team missed due to flooding from Tropical Storm Isaac.
"Practice was so much better than the week before. Everything this week was 10 times better," Dickmann said. "We're not going to use that as an excuse. We just can't turn the ball over."
Dickmann said his team, which has nine turnovers through two games, had the same amount in 12 games last year.
"They'll be fine," Daniels said of Ridge.
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User Comments:
blow out commented on September 15, 2012 at 12:23 a.m.: report abuse
BLOW OUT!
Maine West commented on September 15, 2012 at 12:45 a.m.: report abuse
I think Ridge need to keep the ball on the ground where you do the most!!!
THUNDER CAT commented on September 15, 2012 at 12:58 a.m.: report abuse
I agree, keep it on the ground.
visitor commented on September 15, 2012 at 4:55 a.m.: report abuse
Does Ridge still have that super rednecky guy announcing the plays on the PA system? We developed a deep dislike for visiting there based on his ultra-homer voice.
Riviera Beach commented on September 15, 2012 at 9:07 a.m.: report abuse
running clock is what you got!! Your welcome for Dwyer gracing your field and showing you elite football. If clay can get his deep pass on target this one is over even earlier. Courtney is turning into a top back in the county. D nuff said. Maine John I. lost to Welly and didn't score much. How good or bad is Royal Palm. Wildcats need to focus on there schedule and keep Dwyer's name out your mouth. Matt and Jeff need to give Dwyer that number one spot. Heritage escaped in Belle Glade. D Block made a statement last night!!!
@ Riviera Beach commented on September 15, 2012 at 11 a.m.: report abuse
Just some fyi ahs shut them out 14-0 just in case. Wait you guys will get your turn it will be a very good game can't wait both team will only get better as time go on.
Daddy Ball At The Ridge, commented on September 15, 2012 at 12:17 p.m.: report abuse
Dickmann you should have changed your offense and Antwan would have stayed and maybe you would not be 0 and 2 your Daddy ball coaches son Decosta is just plain bad 2 for 39 in 2 games with 4 interceptions come on .Put Jallen at Quarterback and put shortridge at Nose guard.The ridge's wing T sucks.come on dickmann you ran this offense at Jupiter 20 years ago get with the times and run the spread or I formation real football offense and maybe you might help your players get to big time colleges,The way your going you might not even beet Wellington next week with the coach's son.Wake Up.
@daddy ball at the ridge commented on September 15, 2012 at 1:29 p.m.: report abuse
I agree 100 %
sam commented on September 15, 2012 at 1:59 p.m.: report abuse
Yes they did the same to many kids that where better athletes than there son at the acreage football league when they coached. They would tell kids that wanted to try out for qb they could not. That spot was taken. I saw that on parsons and decostas team. Its true daddy ball. Wake up dickman try the jv qb Chase.
Maine West commented on September 15, 2012 at 2:24 p.m.: report abuse
That is sad Riviera WHERE DID YOU SEE DWYER in my post? You looked good last night but, do not feel you are on the elite level. The Ridge offense is not on the same page with each other. Need a little more time to learn the new plays. Royal Palm made changes we fine now!!! Dwyer was not really tested last night the Ridge made bad turn over in the 20yard line on three serious. Hard to win a game with turnover in that area of the field. The QB is not going to win game for you this year and I think the Coaches know this. I did see the QB make a good play ,however @ Royal Palm we have Palm Beach Central this week. Silence is kept.
Stop commented on September 15, 2012 at 3:16 p.m.: report abuse
The Ridge has no quarterbacks now. No one. Jalen's not good, Chance is not good, Calabrese is still the size of a 6th grader. The only thing Ridge has going for them is Shortridge. The only thing that kept them alive the past years was Gary Holmes. Ridge, get over yourself, your time of DECENT (at best) football is over. The c0cky coaches and players there will have to shut their mouths for the next couple of years now because they have nobody coming through to help them.
Daddy Ball At The Ridge. commented on September 15, 2012 at 4:09 p.m.: report abuse
Time for Dickmann to go after the season.He's not getting players to good colleges, and not Coaching good offense or defense to the players,Players look spent out on the field not condition.Looked what they are doing to the 1st Big time player to go to a Big time College Shortridge he played Nose guard for 3 years and now when it's time for him to realy shine Dickmann put's him at D end. and the team is playing bad mostly due to the Qb.Hopefuly he still goes to a big D1 College. Time for new Coaching Staff at the ridge and need to look at other Quaterbacks other than coaches sons.Need some Good Quaterbacks to transfer in to the ridge next year and new Coaching Staff.If not next few years are going to be Bad At the Daddy Ball ridge Football Team.
@stop commented on September 15, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.: report abuse
It seems like you know the qbs at ridge very well. If your tough enough to call out high school kids, why dont you tell us your name ? Coward.
@daddy ball aka little women commented on September 15, 2012 at 7:14 p.m.: report abuse
Its real funny how people switch out on you when things are going bad. All of the talk about ridge coaching staff, sounds like these so called fans were not really fans at all but full grown men venting on a blog because they don't like the coach. Well get over it grown man and move on. Take little jhonny off the team and attack the next coach you put your son with. I know this is one of the parents so stop hidding. Yes ridge needs a QB, they will work it out, so stop acting like a little women and grow up. Riviera congrads to Dwyer, to many mistakes to beat a team like Dwyer. Also, in reference to getting kids in college, the coach doesn't get kids in college, his parents, grades and working with the coach get kids into college. But the final decision is made by the college.
THUNDER CAT commented on September 15, 2012 at 7:23 p.m.: report abuse
Oh, how the wolves are waiting for you to fail. Last year lost to the same two teams. Still won district and 2nd round in playoff. Winning record for the past 6 years. Yea its time for the coach to go, yea Right! When you are winning, everybody loves you but when you lose, Oh how they talk about you.
@main west commented on September 15, 2012 at 7:51 p.m.: report abuse
Royal palm lost to John I, who just lost to Wellington. How are you going to say royal palm can hang with Dwyer? Also Dwyer held the #1 team in the nation (Miami Central) to 15 points and less then 60 rushing yards while they had 2 D1 running backs. Those are just the facts. I suggest you get your facts straight.
@@Maine West commented on September 15, 2012 at 10:02 p.m.: report abuse
I don't see anywhere that it says RPB can hang with Dwyer by Maine West. RPB has no time to trade senseless barbs with panther nation or Riviera Beach because they are focused. Stop trying to bait RPB into your foolishness but know they will not laydown like your previous opponents come November. Maine, keep supporting them cats as they roll the rest of the schedule.
truth...riveria commented on September 15, 2012 at 10:06 p.m.: report abuse
@ Riveria.....
Dwyer was far from elite last night. No red zone offense. Bad QB play. And for your claim that #23 is a top back........ please! With the exception of Elam and the Russell kid, Dwyer has never had a top back! Dwyer's weakness this year is at QB AND AT RB. My guess is that if #21 was handed the ball as much as Courtnie, he would have had more yards. AND THAT IS THE TRUTH. #23 is an average H.S. back. When he plays against top talent he goes down like a pop-warner kid. "Riveria Beach" is biased. Maybe he is #23's daddy!
school volunteer commented on September 16, 2012 at 9:16 a.m.: report abuse
Its not Daddy ball when thats all you got, Believe me Decosta does not want to be in this postition, hes a great kid that is doing his best. I personally think his afraid that his OL is not going to protect him so, is afraid to let loose and do his thing.
I do agree with above. Its time for the Coaches to scrape the play book and start over. They need to build the book based on the current players talents, not on what has worked in the past.
#40 was on fire, played RB on JV, but is told he is too fast for his blocks so gets no offensive time on the field.( Refuses to do the break down, slow down thing) Which is why he was so successful with the punt return. Didnt wait for the hole, he made it.
#5 has all kinds of Offensive plays, but we never see him out there. samoblem with out running his tackles.
#29 can move the ball, no chances there either.
# 43? Snyder same as #40, no chances given.
I am sure I am forgetting some kids because we have sooo many that can preform but are not being used.
I Love 2,6 8 & 21. GREAT kids, with real talent but, some times you gotta shake it up and try something different. Heck, Let these boys just run!!!
We are still running the same game as we have for the last 4 years nothing new.
Also,
From what I understand due to injuries and what colleges want to see, that is why Shortridge was moved to his current postion.
school volunteer commented on September 16, 2012 at 9:17 a.m.: report abuse
# 5 " same problem"
Riviera Beach commented on September 16, 2012 at 9:33 a.m.: report abuse
i said Courtney is turning into. He has 300 yard in three games, runs had, and gets stronger as the game goes on. I said same thing about Faton last year and got ripped. Oh well, you will see. Bye the way he has been on Varsity since 2009 and has alot of experience. Did well in playoff games last year. Also Mclaine was very good. As for elite, yes it was. Seminole will most likely still have a good season and make playoffs. Dwyer made a good program look pop Warner on their own field. That is elite. You know your good when people nit pick about red zone in a 39-0 beating. They scored four offensive TDs. It's still early and every year Dwyer only gets stronger as the season gets older. That is coaching and every elite program starts with the coaching. D Block!!!
Getting To College commented on September 16, 2012 at 11:40 a.m.: report abuse
Yes Student Athletes have to earn college looks to get scholarships by their play on the field.But let's look at Palm Beach Central The ridge has better players year after year and the ridge get's to the playoffs but PBC coaches have connections with big time division 1 college programs as well as Dwyer and gardens.seems like coach Dickmann has no connection with any Big time colleges as in his 8 years as ridge coach not one of his many Big time players has gone on to a big time D 1 College.Yes the player has to due his Work on the field and in the Classroom but the player could also use some help from his Coach.Let's Get Real People.Facts are facts.
Special Teams commented on September 16, 2012 at 1:07 p.m.: report abuse
Ridge coach dickmann. do you know that Special teams is a big part of the game like Field Position.Wake up put someone back their on punt returns that can inprove your field position.Don't you have a special teams coach on your staff.
Ridge has a QB commented on September 16, 2012 at 2:01 p.m.: report abuse
The Ridge has a QB, his name is Isacc Easton? # 20. Hasnt played since acreage but he smoked Demayo, Decosta and Chance. He and Keller were unstoppable together.
Gotta do something
Its time for a change commented on September 17, 2012 at 10:59 a.m.: report abuse
Change it up a litlte. I mean even the Jv team are running the same plays. Come on now dickmann, dont you see you gotta change it up little. If it aint working you gotta try something else (common sense!!) , why keep running the same old plays cause everyone has caught on to it now. IJS
Butch Miller commented on September 17, 2012 at 12:01 p.m.: report abuse
Come on Acreage Parents You have great coaches a great school stop the complaining support your team and players let the coaches coach to coach dickman keep up the great work the kids really love you past and present.
Butch Miller commented on September 17, 2012 at 12:05 p.m.: report abuse
Butch that's why you moved out of hear before your son even went to High School .You were one of the daddy ball coach's from the acreage daddy ball league.
Butch Miller commented on September 17, 2012 at 12:19 p.m.: report abuse
No get your facts straight mooger played his freshman year loves coach Dickman played for chapin high school in sc was all state 3a offensive player of the year senior year.. much of which he owe's to the coaches and Seminole Ridge. these are all great kids from the acreage get behind them dont run them.down. It could be your son out there and on these blogs..Good luck Decosta and the rest of Seminole Ridge Football Players Work hard Play smart you have the Millers support here in SC
Ridge Fan commented on September 19, 2012 at 7:25 p.m.: report abuse
Lets seee who starts at QB for JV and Varsity this week, my guess is Daddy Ball week 3....
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