Story
No. 4 Dwyer 21, No. 9 Royal Palm Beach 16: Panthers clinch playoff spot
Saturday, November 03, 2012
by
Jeff Greer
Maybe it was because they played on Saturday. Or maybe it was the postseason implication -- whichever team won in Dwyer and Royal Palm Beach's much-anticipated district finale would make the playoffs.
For whatever reason, the hits seemed louder, the plays bigger, the clock slower.
Yet for all the hype around the game, the two elements that made Dwyer a preseason favorite came through for the No. 4 Panthers when they needed them most, as their star receivers and speedy defensive line carried them to an intense 21-16 win at No. 9 Royal Palm Beach that clinched the last playoff spot up for grabs in Palm Beach County.
The performance was a far cry from the ugly 28-12 loss against District 13-7A rival (and now champion) Atlantic two weeks ago, which stunned the area football community and elevated Atlantic to a statewide reputation. It also left Dwyer (8-1) in a spot it hasn't seen in a while and woke up the Panthers, coach Jack Daniels said.
"It's a relief," Daniels said. "It's a great game for us going into the playoffs. It had everything in it."
Daniels is right about that. From Dwyer quarterback Rob Nittolo's three long touchdown passes and Clint Stephens' multiple fingertip catches to Royal Palm Beach's frantic rallies to each Dwyer charge, the district rivals provided what the fans in the crowded stands hoped for.
Defensive end Mark Kelly fittingly pushed Dwyer into the postseason with a sack, the third of the night for the Panthers' ferocious defensive line, and junior receiver Clint Stephens helped Dwyer whittle away the clock and preserve the win.
The blazing-fast Stephens finished with three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, but his final two catches, for gains of 7 and 9 yards, picked up vital first downs that kept Royal Palm's defense on the field.
Fellow receivers Ezra Saffold (87 yards, two touchdowns) and Johhnie Dixon (44 yards) each got loose in other critical spots. Nittolo used a quick three-step drop and fast release to limit the over-the-top coverage Royal Palm's safeties could provide for their cornerbacks, which in turn left Dwyer's wideouts in one-on-one situations.
They usually win those.
"They're going to make plays," Royal Palm Beach coach Willie Bueno said of Dwyer's receivers. "They're great players and they make plays."
Dwyer jumped out to a 14-0 lead on Royal Palm Beach (5-3), but the Wildcats would keep fighting back. Jimmy Moreland's punt block and 22-yard touchdown return made it 14-10, and a 43-yard drive in the fourth quarter cut Dwyer's 21-10 lead to 21-16.
But Royal Palm Beach's defense couldn't slow down Stephens, and that left just enough time for Kelly and his fellow defensive linemen to make one more big play against desperate Royal Palm, which had too little time and too much field to make up.
.
User Comments:
Fan commented on November 3, 2012 at 10:47 p.m.: report abuse
Atlantic is the class of this district for sure. It is kind of ironic that Atlantic ends up with the best QB in the district at the right time of the season. Dwyer and RPB are all over the place offensively. neither team could establish the run . RPB offense only put up 9 points . Dwyer O hit 3 big plays. Atlantic has best shot to play with St Thomas. Their D would crush Dwyer. Both teams played hard tonight.
Oh yeah commented on November 3, 2012 at 10:51 p.m.: report abuse
Dwyer kept RPB in game with so many drive extending penalties . That won't cut it in playoffs.
here's hoping commented on November 4, 2012 at 12:23 a.m.: report abuse
Hopefully ATL handles there first round playoff game. Would be nice to see Dwyer and ATL again when it matters. My guess, Dwyer will show up this time.
dont be suprise commented on November 4, 2012 at 1:04 a.m.: report abuse
its ironic dwyer and rpb got banged up by atlantic. Atlantic is state bound and im pretty sure dwyer wont get past the first round..rpb got exposed once again they need a new offensive of coordinator
@Atlantic commented on November 4, 2012 at 1:44 a.m.: report abuse
Northeast, STA, Lakeland, Manatee, Lincoln.
Good Luck.
Bean will be terminated this week for violating school district policy. Honey badger should not have been ALLOWED on campus, no doubt bean is gone, like it or not.
RPB mom commented on November 4, 2012 at 2:07 a.m.: report abuse
it was a good game between DWYER and RPB. But, matt and jeff jimmy moreland be one of the best players in palm beach county next year yall should get a story on this young man soon. A BIGGER PLAYER.
FiveStarRecruit commented on November 4, 2012 at 4:02 a.m.: report abuse
@Atlantic
Lakeland did not win their district and likely will be out in the first round. They just lost Friday night to an un-ranked team with multiple losses. They're simply not that good this year and have been inconspicuous in terms of how average they are, do to an extremely week schedule. St. Thomas on the other hand has been exposed for a while. This may be the worse STA team in over 15 years (At least). They too (like last yr) will not get past the regional semi round. STA is not better than Dwyer nor Atlantic this year. In fact, STA may not get past the second round which will be Plantation. Plantation played them really close during the regular season and probably should have won the game. So there will be a team from Palm Beach County that will make it to the regional finals albeit if they can get past a pretty good Oakland Northeast and Boyd Anderson teams. Tallahassee Lincoln is wwwway over rated and in my opinion, shouldn't' be ranked so high. Their defense is lights out and will carry them to the third but no more... Manatee is for real but must gwt past FPC this year its in Ft Pierce, that game will go down to the very last play.
FPC 4 Life!!!
Educator who cares commented on November 4, 2012 at 5:35 a.m.: report abuse
Wow, all the class time the football players in my 5th and6th period classes missed over the last 2 weeks and all they have to show for it is 2 loses in a row. Now you are saying a player ran the wrong route? Well I am sure Principal Bueno won't be pleased and the vision is a bit blurry now. Luckily Mr Armas believes whole heatedly in freedom of the press as his latest email espoused and this blatant disregard for the eduction of our non NFL bound players will be discused in our new campus newspaper. To all the players who have been in class and have taken advantage of the fact that some of us actually teach our subjects I say :well done , you played hard and you will be ready for college academically if you realize Trent, Bueno, etc. are self serving and not necessarily the best for your futures.
atl. ex commented on November 4, 2012 at 6:06 a.m.: report abuse
Now for the difficult part. Atl. will face teams with talent who have coaching staffs. Atl. has the players, but has mOE, lARRY, AND cURLY COACHING.
the truth commented on November 4, 2012 at 6:40 a.m.: report abuse
dwyer has some great athletes, when the stars are having a bad game coach Daniels lack the ability to improvise. there are great athletes on the bench that can help the team excel his lack of full passion for the game limit panther football the success they deserve. from my stand point i don't see them making it pass the next round. they have great plays but in some spots the wrong players in them favoritism is gonna hurt them in the stretch. in my opinion if they played inlet grove they will lose against their powerful defense. once Jack find a real love for the game then they will see another state championship. sorry jack you gave that game away last year you used the wrong quarterback.
Maine West commented on November 4, 2012 at 9:18 a.m.: report abuse
Can you all keep the QB drama off the website for a week............I mean what more do you want Dwyer won last night. Did you not get the MEMO!!
BIGDAWG commented on November 4, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.: report abuse
Everyone on here know I am the Rep D-Block.
I support my team win lose or draw.
The Truth is right on his assesment on this Jack and his staff.
They do lack the motivational skills when they are in big games. every year Dwyer come out flat and don't seem to understand their in big game until the reach the fourth quarter.
I can say they seem to get stuck on stupid at times.
Please Jack and Staff come up with some new, yet simple,but easy to deviate plays
option are always good becase the can give you so may different looks.
what ever you do decide to add, lets do the damn thang this year Big.
D-Block
You Knowwwwwwwwww
Atl commented on November 4, 2012 at 10:34 a.m.: report abuse
All yall are haters ATL did they thing Bean and the staff are very good at what they do when the Honey Badger came out to are practice he was telling us not to follow in his foot steps and make sure we get it done in the class room and listen to are coaches and all the adults around us cause they want the best for us If it was AH or Dwyer that had him out there it wouldn't have been a problem but now that we are winning it is but we love it keep feeding us yall are the reason we win keep it coming lol #TheEra
Terry Hanratty commented on November 4, 2012 at 12:56 p.m.: report abuse
Do you people have lives? How can anyone care that much about High School football? Apparently this all you have going. Remember their kids, and to make predictions, four and five weeks out is ridiculous. Im sorry, but reading these emails makes me sorry for all of you.
Riviera Beach commented on November 4, 2012 at 12:58 p.m.: report abuse
toasting another victory and continuing the playoffs streak. Really that is all you got!?!
Christina Lopez commented on November 4, 2012 at 3:39 p.m.: report abuse
Amen I say, Terry Hanratty!
I have never, ever have read this blog and now I know why.People are extremely to negative. These are children playing a sport. We should be supporting ALL of the children not just our own. It is a team sport. We should also support the coaches and staff that spend hours daily with YOUR child. Truth be said your child probably spends more time with the coaches than they do with their parents. I am a mother of two grown sons and I am embarrassed as I am sure a lot of your children are at how parents are behaving. Seriously, Just stop. You are aware the children have access to this web site.
Children's first teachers are their parents. Remember, If you dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all.
I will never be back to this web site its just too......sad.
Get a life commented on November 4, 2012 at 10:35 p.m.: report abuse
Everybody that has not played or coached comes on here and cries about coaching. The head coaches and offensive/defensive coordinators at Dwyer and RPB are among the best in County/State. Dwyer has been among the elite in the state for the last 10 years. Royal Palm Beach is so much improved and definitely making significant progress.
Maine West commented on November 5, 2012 at 12:43 a.m.: report abuse
^^^^^^^^^^^ Must agree 100%.
m. witkowski commented on November 5, 2012 at 12:34 p.m.: report abuse
I have been a teacher at RPBHS since it opened in 1997. There have been many coaches who have come and gone..In my opinion Coach Bueno has brought his football plyers from boy's to men. In the classroom they are alert, respectful and hard workers. They carry themselves in such a mature way. He is teaching them about life through the sport of football. If I had a son who was playing football I would want him to be coached by Bueno. Congratulations for your victories on and off the field
dorsey1 commented on November 5, 2012 at 3:18 p.m.: report abuse
Plantation is not in 7A-
St.Thomas Aquinas while there not the team they have been-they are still very potent-
I expect STA and Dwyer to meet in the regional 7A final and it will down to the wire as last years game did-
Dwyer I think wins it-
Northeast Oakland Park and Boyd Anderson are good but,are not advancing in the tournament-
Best teams in South Florida are as follows:
Miami Booker T. Washington 4A-they have the most talent
Miami Central 6A
Dwyer West Palm Beach 7A
St.Thomas Aquinas Ft.lauderdale 7A
Amercian Heritage-Plantation 4A
University School Davie 3A
American Heritage-Delray Beach 2A
Miami Northwestern 6A
Cypress Bay Weston 8A
The best team in the state regardless of class in the7A Bradenton Manatee Hurricanes with the top dual threat QB in the state in Cord Sandberg and the best defensive line in the state with Jr.Demarcus Christmas and Sr.Derek Calloway-
Manatee has beaten previously ranked #1 in the nation Miami Central,Miramar last years state ruuner up to Tampa Plant and Cypress Bay a traditional broward county power as is Miramar.
High School Fan commented on November 5, 2012 at 4:32 p.m.: report abuse
@dorsey1
Plantation is 7A. They were the runner up this year to STA.
Plantation can clinch district runner-up…
With a win over Nova and a St. Thomas Aquinas win over Cooper City
All that happened on Friday. STA beat Cooper City and Plantation beat Nova.
Add Your Comment:
We'd like your thoughts on this topic. I appreciate your willingness to share them. We want to avoid comments that are obscene, hateful, racist or otherwise inappropriate. If you post offensive comments, we will delete them as soon as we can. If you see such comments, please flag them to notify us. -- Tim Burke, Publisher and Executive Editor, The Palm Beach Post