Story
No. 4 Palm Beach Gardens 33, Boca Raton 13: Jermaine Carn powers Gators
Friday, October 12, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Trying to protect a one-score lead with nine minutes left, Palm Beach Gardens started a drive at its own 16-yard line.
Every fan in the stands knew what was coming.
Boca Raton knew. Most importantly, Gardens senior Jermaine Carn knew, and he was up to the task.
The Gators took to the ground, and Carn, their workhorse running back, led fourth-ranked Gardens 84 yards - with help from a 5-yard Boca penalty and 11-yard quarterback sneak from junior J.P. Caruso - and dove into the end zone from 1 yard out with 5:17 remaining.
Carn had 147 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, and Gardens (5-1) went on to beat Boca 33-13 in a non-district Class 8A matchup.
"It's always comforting when they know you're going to run, you know you're going to run and you can still run the ball," Gardens coach Rob Freeman said.
While the Gators opened up a 20-7 halftime lead by capitalizing on two turnovers by Boca (2-4), they gave up a career-high 198 rushing yards and a touchdown to junior running back Cecil Johnson, who ran like a cyclone.
"Nobody's really moved the ball on us this year," Freeman said. "That was concerning. We're going to have to be better to beat Seminole Ridge next week."
Next Friday, Gardens hosts Ridge in a District 9-8A game, and on Thursday, Boca travels to No. 8 Park Vista for a 10-8A clash. Both are critical for each in their four-team district; Gardens and Ridge are 1-0, while Boca and Vista are 0-1.
Early in the second quarter, Caruso (6-of-13, 143 yards, TD, INT) hit senior receiver Frank Brown with a bullet over the middle that Brown turned into a 43-yard touchdown.
Minutes later, Gardens' Malcolm Depas returned a Boca fumble to the 38. Sophomore scatback Tommy Monday carried for 6, 13 and a 19-yard touchdown.
Boca senior Tard McCoy threw an interception to Gardens senior safety Terrance St. Hillaire, which was quickly converted into a 2-yard Carn touchdown plunge with 2:15 left in the half.
"Without those first-half mistakes, I really, really think it could have been a good game in the second half," Boca coach Lewis Burnham said. "Our guys made it competitive nonetheless."
On the first play after McCoy recovered a fumble, Johnson scored from 8 yards out with 5:22 left in the third.
In its second game without injured quarterback Kevin Anderson, Boca completed 4 of 14 passes with two picks. But McCoy hit Bryant for a touchdown pass on fourth-and-goal from the 15 with 9:32 remaining, pulling within a touchdown and setting up Gardens' pounding drive.
After Carn's plunge, St. Hillaire returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown and the game's final points.
"I hate the scoreboard, but we played tough," Burnham said.
.
User Comments:
Boca high commented on October 13, 2012 at 1 a.m.: report abuse
Please start lj smith at quarterback for the rest of season Kevin is out for the season. Tard and Ced are receivers and DB's not quarterbacks while lj is actually on varsity as Kevin's backup and can throw and lead an offense who cares if he is young it's in the best interest of all coaches,players,parents,teachers, and students. If you actually want to win districts this year and go to the playoffs play someone who knows how to play quarterback.
#ljsmith12forQB
From,everyone at boca high
Few questions commented on October 13, 2012 at 1:30 a.m.: report abuse
I saw Bryant had some good stats on the ground tonight Would smith be a threat running? Or is his arm good enough to be just a pocket passer?
What would be the point in having McCoy and Bryant at WR if no one can get them the ball?
Would smith throw less INTs then McCoy?
Has Smith built a good connection with any of the Bobcats top receivers, #1,5,6,7, or 24 in practice that the team could lean on?
Bobcat furball commented on October 13, 2012 at 3 a.m.: report abuse
Bobcats played tough and hung in there even without their starting QB, they have their next great running back in Cecil Johnson, this team has alot of heart, go bobcats!
BIGDAWG commented on October 13, 2012 at 6:21 a.m.: report abuse
Do shacori Foster play on Gardens Team. I know he transferred from Cardinal Newman Last year. he was a pretty good running back, he was putting some good number but I haven't seen or heard his name at all this year.
what did he do fall off the earth?
boca player commented on October 13, 2012 at 8:54 a.m.: report abuse
Please put LJ Smith to help Mr. Boca High see the truth then we can go back to Ced and Tard in peace
boca high commented on October 13, 2012 at 12:50 p.m.: report abuse
Fire burnham he is not taking the team anywhere!
And then what? commented on October 13, 2012 at 1:03 p.m.: report abuse
Whoever else you brought in wouldn't play LJ either LMAO
Jooboo commented on October 13, 2012 at 1:46 p.m.: report abuse
Boca just sucks!
Sad for the kids commented on October 13, 2012 at 2:19 p.m.: report abuse
It is sad for the kids when a coach is petty enough to comment back at a parents comment. It cleary is burnham on the comment by Really? and And then what? By the way Coach Burnham you should be fired.
Keep commented on October 13, 2012 at 2:38 p.m.: report abuse
Keep burnham just play lj
Bobcat furball commented on October 13, 2012 at 3:10 p.m.: report abuse
Some a yall need to get a life, these coaches know whats best for the team, its just not LJ's time yet, he'll have his turn, GO BOBCATS, ignore all them haters, jus do you and yall be fine
Coach B. commented on October 13, 2012 at 4:39 p.m.: report abuse
Yo Coach Burnham. Do what you do. It is rough when you lose a Div. 1 QB. No one understands the plight of a coach. All of those parents in the stands think they can coach. Invite them out in the sun, then have a staff meeting after practice to discuss practice. After Fri. how about a morning film session? Problems that kids have are also on your plate. Ask the want to be coaches to discuss fronts vs. unusual line splits. Then go over pass defense vs. twins away with TE to the boundery, not to mention down, and distance tendencies. Hang tough, good luck,and Jack owes me a T shirt.
Boca Fan commented on October 13, 2012 at 5:04 p.m.: report abuse
I watch all these other teams do a hurry up offence and drain are defence. You would think we could learn from this but we dont,the coach needs to take notice but he wont. I agree with trying LJ at QB and letting Tard do what he does best not to saying he has not done what he was ask to do. It would be nice if the head coach would have a parent meeting like Byers did last year and talk introduce all his coachs and spend time with the parents. Parents might have a different perspective of him if they new him. He is young and learning but he needs to have an open mind and know as Lou Holtz would say change does work. Good luck Bobcats there is still time to put it togeather and win district.
hobbie commented on October 13, 2012 at 9:48 p.m.: report abuse
^^ That's "OUR" and "Defense"... Wow ^^
Bobcat commented on October 13, 2012 at 10:37 p.m.: report abuse
Coach B, keep moving we got faith. Losing Kev was a hit but Im behind what were doin. Were playing with what we got and putting our best out there. Were there everyday and we know what we got to do to win so forget the haters because they dont know or see what we do.
Gator backer commented on October 14, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.: report abuse
Some of you must be watching another game. From our viewpoint, your coaches and players had an outstanding game. Some of the boys played both sides of the ball, and never quit. They left it all on the field, and need your support.
Bobcat Fan commented on October 14, 2012 at 10:16 a.m.: report abuse
Bobcat you did not hear a hater in anything I said. We (PARENTs) are seeking as you said in the last 7 words of your statement; WE DONT KNOW OR SEE WHAT YOU DO. We are on the same TEAM. hobbie thx I will work on my spelling.
The Gators commented on October 14, 2012 at 1:23 p.m.: report abuse
It wasn't going to matter one way or another who your quarterback was we still were gonna beat yall. I will say this whatever you did second half yall look like a different team. I'm assumming the people supporting this kid must be his parents and his friends cause if this kid is as good as you proclaim then the boca coaches are just stupid and I feel like that might not be the case. Just saying
Bobcat fan commented on October 14, 2012 at 2:43 p.m.: report abuse
To the Gators. this is not just about your game. As I said im not a hater. To your point an example of lost opportunity. We have the ball in the near the end zone. you look at are receiver 24 on are side line matched up against a short corner, 24 can jump good basketball player, QB did not even look at him we rolled are running back out to the other side for a lose and walked with no points. Thats the played that was given by the coach, Kids did what they were told. What about giving the QB a wrist ban and doing like your team and most of the other teams, have the next play called and jump on the line.We waste so much time and ware the QB down running him back and forth. Your offence flat wore are defence out this way, not to say are boys did not play hard. I have not missed a varsity game in two years and the list goes on. As i said change can be good, coach should try some new things.
Two way guy commented on October 14, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.: report abuse
I am one of many bobcats who go both ways, with the way gardens goes no huddle, if we tried to use the same tempo I would not have made it to the end of the game, I would have cramped. I busted my A$$ all year to get in shape so don't call me lazy, I'm just sayin the way we all on both ways, I think I woulda fell out if we tried to do hurry up. Also, we killed their Dline, we ran for 269 yards almost yards a carry, I know I wanted to keep runnin
They did commented on October 14, 2012 at 2:58 p.m.: report abuse
They threw to 24 3 times in the Redzone, you want them to only do that every time?
Bobcat fan commented on October 14, 2012 at 3:41 p.m.: report abuse
I watch you guys and you do bust your butts in practice and you guys are not lazy. I will be at all the rest of the games cheering you on. Keep up the hard work we see it. if i did not believe in you guys I would not comment.
Shame commented on October 14, 2012 at 3:51 p.m.: report abuse
You Boca parents disgust me. you think cause you xsee one team do something you should be doing the same. Maybe you need to understand that your kids lack any talent or coach it yourselves since you have all the anzwers....maybe that lj kid dad can call the offense for his son while your at
Boca fan commented on October 14, 2012 at 4:49 p.m.: report abuse
Shame, sounds like the thought of Boca doing some new things bothers you, I get that. This was not based on just this game. do you have a problem retaining what you read.
Peaches commented on October 14, 2012 at 5:17 p.m.: report abuse
Congrats to Jermaine Carn you're awesome!
@Coach B. commented on October 14, 2012 at 6:26 p.m.: report abuse
You hit the nail on the head. Boca is not the only nut house, it is the nut house. We love what you are doing, and know you felt the sting of crazy Boca parents.
Ex grateful player.
boca fan commented on October 14, 2012 at 7:40 p.m.: report abuse
Hey Coach B. I quess you were not there when the coach and keith byers junior had a cuss session in frontt of the team this summer at at a car wash at the school parking lot. he got a lot of respect after that not. you sound like a vista parent trying to add to the chaos thats already going on over here, shame on you. your an idiot
@boca fan commented on October 15, 2012 at 3:42 a.m.: report abuse
I read Coach B's statement. It tells the coach to hang in there. What does this have to do with any thing else? Yes you sound like a nut job.
@ the real idiots commented on October 15, 2012 at 8:58 a.m.: report abuse
I do not think that Coach B. is a idiot. I think the Boca fan is. Take your son out of the program, and you coach him.
Bobcat for Coach "Toe" commented on October 15, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.: report abuse
Wrong choice: No surprise
Leadership: NO
Accountability: NO
Integrity:Hell NO
Fairness: NO
Mentor: Hell NO
Parent/Booster Relationship: NO
agree commented on October 15, 2012 at 11:26 a.m.: report abuse
Boca seems to lose good people. Atlantic scored getting coach Toe, and why did Sutton go, He was a great guy and everyone seemed to like him . Coach Davis is doing a great job with JV kids and he gives parents time.he seems fair. I hope he sticks around. 3 good examples here of good coachs and men that seem to not have anyone complaining about them, I could be wrong.
No way commented on October 15, 2012 at 9:14 p.m.: report abuse
Coach Davis is a terrible coach don't refer to him as a good choice
agree commented on October 15, 2012 at 9:28 p.m.: report abuse
I quess i was wrong
Luk commented on October 21, 2012 at 8:09 p.m.: report abuse
Furrelaz? That's marvelously good to know.
Xyman commented on October 22, 2012 at 10:27 a.m.: report abuse
The expertise sheins through. Thanks for taking the time to answer.
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