Story
No. 8 Atlantic handles No. 4 Royal Palm Beach
Monday, October 29, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Atlantic's coach prowled the sideline, yelling his head off.
"I told them not to kick to him," Chris Bean screamed into the chilly air. At the other end of the field, his team bounced around like pinballs. Behind them, the stands shook.
That's what Brisly Estime can do.
After Royal Palm Beach scored with 13.3 seconds left in the first half, Estime returned the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The senior's game-changing play reestablished Atlantic's momentum and sent the Wildcats into the locker room hanging their heads.
When it was all over, eighth-ranked Atlantic had a 35-20 win over fourth-ranked Royal Palm. The Eagles (6-2, 4-1), once down themselves after a sloppy start, have won four in a row. They now need only to beat Lake Worth on Friday night to secure the District 13-7A title.
"The beginning of the season, we just had some big-time selfishness going on," Bean said. "Now, they're thinking about the team. They're thinking about one another. They're fighting for one another."
On Friday, Atlantic hosts Lake Worth. Royal Palm (5-2, 5-1) will host Dwyer at 7 p.m. Saturday. If Atlantic beats Lake Worth -- the Eagles are a heavy favorite -- the Royal Palm-Dwyer winner goes to the playoffs as the runner-up.
Senior running back Tevin Spells had a game-high 112 yards on 19 carries. His two first-half touchdowns, of 1 and 33 yards, put Atlantic up 14-3. But Royal Palm senior quarterback Ant McGrew (9-of-21, 83 yards, TD) threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to senior Jake Wehrle with 13.3 remaining in the half.
Estime only needed one play to change the game. Royal Palm coach Willie Bueno didn't want to give him the chance, hoping to kick away from the dynamic senior. But the kick went to Estime at his own 5. He weaved his way inside and out, covering the distance as the clock ran out.
"The kicker slipped. I don't know what it was," Bueno said. "(Estime's) a good player. That's what happens. They're an explosive football team."
That wasn't the only major miscue by Royal Palm. After a fake punt rush went nowhere, Atlantic was in the end zone after a three-play drive that ended in Spells' 33-yard touchdown.
Atlantic quarterback Thomas Owens, who was installed as the starter after Atlantic's Sept. 21 loss to Santaluces, was 5-of-15 for 97 yards and a touchdown, but got loose for a 41-yard touchdown on a third-quarter keeper. That came after a roughing-the-punter call on Royal Palm gave the Eagles new life.
With 6:33 left in the third, senior cornerback De'Andre Simmons bobbled a sure interception on a deep ball. Atlantic junior receiver Adly Enoicy snatched it and was credited with a 49-yard touchdown reception that made it 35-10.
The Wildcats' mistakes mitigated an astounding amount of penalties on Atlantic. The Eagles finished with 182 yards on 20 flags, taking off the board an 80-yard punt return touchdown by Estime and several other plays. Royal Palm had seven for 73 yards.
"Our kids know. Take away three plays in this game and they're right there," Bueno said. "We've got to get ready for Saturday. There's still a heartbeat."
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User Comments:
smh commented on October 30, 2012 at 1:53 a.m.: report abuse
atlantic is state bound smh thats what happen when an over rated football team gets exposed. rpb is going to the same as they did last go to thee firrst round and choke.
hawker commented on October 30, 2012 at 3:24 a.m.: report abuse
Man you wildcats talk so much sh__. Every year you get spanked. We are changing your name from now on to the stinkcats... Lol... Go Hawks. Get readyif you thought 35 to 10 was bad... Lol... You all should just shut up... Lol...
really 3 plays? commented on October 30, 2012 at 6:07 a.m.: report abuse
You gotta be kidding coach. You were out coached the entire game. We need an offensive coordinator. Atlantic gave us last 10 points by taking a safety and prevent Defense. We have weapons learn how to use them!!!
atlfan commented on October 30, 2012 at 6:55 a.m.: report abuse
20 penalties???? Beanball!!!!!!
WOW commented on October 30, 2012 at 7:03 a.m.: report abuse
Glad a 20 year old man can run away from some 16, and 17 year old kids. Hope he feels good about himself.
Atl guard commented on October 30, 2012 at 7:56 a.m.: report abuse
WOW you are such a hater. you just talk cause you can't play the game as well as him or you just can't play it at all
@Hawker commented on October 30, 2012 at 8:13 a.m.: report abuse
Just worry about the sorry teams you play. You chumps havent beaten a good team all year. And after our Cats take care of bizness, Ridge will lose to another real team.
Maine West commented on October 30, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.: report abuse
We got a punch on the chin last night.....we still going to make the playoff!!! Prop to Atl on a great win.
@Coach B commented on October 30, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.: report abuse
The kicker slipped ? Why did the punter punt ball to same kid again in 4th quarter. Special teams coach needs to take some responsibility and I agree with above poster our offense is stale and predictable. Play calling helped us lose 2 games this year.
we was commented on October 30, 2012 at 8:52 a.m.: report abuse
Looking ahead To Dblock big mistake i know but all will be good when we are in playoffs
Lol commented on October 30, 2012 at 9:27 a.m.: report abuse
Haha all that smack rpb was talking before the season and now they aren't even gonna make the playoffs
Riviera Beach commented on October 30, 2012 at 9:37 a.m.: report abuse
There was no looking ahead, slip kicker or even a chance RPB could win that game. That was a domination. ATL is starting to look scary good. They have so many playmakers. It seems like they could bust a big play at anytime. Between the phantom call on the punt return and several missed deep throws to guys who were open. This could have been real ugly. RPB scored 10 points in the last few minutes when ATL was taking their foot of the gas. IMO if they game was played again ATL might beat them even worse. RPB looked alot smaller and simply overmatched. ATL helped RPB with all the penelties and it still didn't matter. An kicking to Estime at the end of the half was one of the worst calls I have seen all year. RPB had just switched the mo a little and it got crushed.
Vince Lombardi commented on October 30, 2012 at 10:06 a.m.: report abuse
It's only halftime, Atlantic is history. Time to beat Dwyer, it can be done, Atlantic did the same thing to Dwyer. Tighten up and kick some azz fri. night.
hayes commented on October 30, 2012 at 11:16 a.m.: report abuse
atlantic go tem
Should be in College commented on October 30, 2012 at 11:28 a.m.: report abuse
I agree, it's a shame that the 20 year old is allowed to play out there with the kids. He even look older and as you see he plays like he is older. WAY TO GO ATLANTIC WITH THE COLLEGE PLAYER ON YOUR TEAM!
EXCUSES commented on October 30, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.: report abuse
20 YEAR OLD PLAYER....LMAO WHAT SORE LOSERS!!!!!! ROYAL PALM COACHES SUCK!!! AND IF ONE 20 YEAR OLD BEATS YOU THEN YOUR IN TROUBLE IDIOTS!!!
EAGLEMAN commented on October 30, 2012 at 11:38 a.m.: report abuse
he is 19... take away the estime touchdowns ATL STILL wins haha RPB a joke they always are overrated.....always ATL has the talent to match up with anybody..THEY WUD BEAT HERITAGE IF THEY PLAYED THEM AGAIN
AHS Alum commented on October 30, 2012 at 12:08 p.m.: report abuse
RPB coach leaving game last night couldn't shut up about Estime being 19. And now he is on blog acting like that's what cost them game. Like Bueno wouldn't use any kid he could to win. He was the king of recruiting at AHS , Socha learned most of what he knows from Slick Willie. Relax Eagleman , you still wouldn't beat AHS .
@EAGLEMAN?!? commented on October 30, 2012 at 12:10 p.m.: report abuse
Dont get too carried away with that one?? Let's just say it would have been a better game if they had Thomas Owens playing Q.B. great job last night atl! One game at a time fellas....
AHS Get For Real! commented on October 30, 2012 at 12:21 p.m.: report abuse
How many years has Estime played HS football?
@ eagleman commented on October 30, 2012 at 12:48 p.m.: report abuse
IF IF IF YOU COULD IF ALL NIGHT ALT WOULD NOT BEAT AHS QB WON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TIME JUST LIKE BEFORE OH YEH DON'T 4 GET AHS GOT BETTER ALSO.
Go Eagles commented on October 30, 2012 at 12:52 p.m.: report abuse
Great win. We pulled it together even wen no one else believed we are one of the best in the county all we have is one another to lean on. So thanks to everyone that said we wasnt going to make it look at us now. And for the record Black(Estime) have only played for years of football. The first time he touched the field was his freshmen year and the reason the he is still playing at his age is because he immigrated here from Haiti when he was younger and got lost because he did not know the language he is just a young black Haitian kid who is trying to make it like many other kids out there but keep hating he will just take back 10 more kicks on the year and as he like to say HOLLYWOOD COULDNT HAVE DONE IT ANY BETTER THE ERA
EAGLEMAN commented on October 30, 2012 at 1:15 p.m.: report abuse
Like I saaid before.. THEY WUD BEAT HERITAGE IF THEY PLAYED THEM AGAIN... ATLANTIC didnt have one game under their belt at the time.. And you know they were not playing to full potential (T.O shud have been QB SINCE LAST YEAR).. But hey AHS is on top.. I def can see them beating Dwyer.. and On the Topic everybody knows RPB cudnt stop ATL without Estime..
really commented on October 30, 2012 at 1:42 p.m.: report abuse
Good game but don't get beside yourself there's no way on God's green earth that the team that I saw last night good beat American heritage. I know it sounds good to say that but really!really!!
EAGLEMAN commented on October 30, 2012 at 2:11 p.m.: report abuse
Clearly You havent been on GODS GREEN EARTH long enough to know that AHS can consistently beat ATL... I know about AHS to be honest thats not even the Best Squad Heritage has had....but it dont matter long as ATL winning their ROAD to State will be wayy TOUGHER than AHS own..
@ Matt & Jeff commented on October 30, 2012 at 6:46 p.m.: report abuse
Do you guys believe now...are you convinced now! Go on and jump on the Eagles bandwagon baby! Way to go ATL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tim b runinn commented on October 30, 2012 at 11:37 p.m.: report abuse
Man stop cryin you were out played and out coached thats it. Now go back to practice and learn how to take better angles when tackling and catch a interception or two when it comes your way. offense got some weapons by the way and the general is to nervous to pull the trigger. C'MON MAN!!!
Atl commented on November 1, 2012 at 12:40 p.m.: report abuse
Ok everyone knows when next year comes along, Atlantic will beat American Heritage. Atlantic's QB and Recievers are all Juniors and most of their defense. Heritage will be absolute garbage without Greg Bryant or Marcus Davis. So as the next year comes along Atlantic will be the favorite to beat AHS. Wahetevr anyone says, Greg Bryant is the only GREAT player AHS has.
And the last laugh goes to... commented on November 3, 2012 at 10:58 a.m.: report abuse
way to go RPB looks like a little thing called Karma came knocking good luck against Dwyer I hear Ol Jack has a special play or 2 meant 2 embarass ur over- hyped, egotistical, recruiting, meat-headed coaching staff
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