Story
Palm Beach Gardens 35, Park Vista 21: Gators end Cobras' perfection
Friday, November 18, 2011
by
Matt Porter
Allen Eyestone / Palm Beach Post
Game stats, mashup video recap
The public address announcer had just shared the news that Seminole Ridge was the winner of the area's other Class 8A regional quarterfinal.
Park Vista's players could sense a comeback.
But on a rainy, windy night, a lost fumble did them in. Minutes later, Gardens senior Roshard Burney raced 40 yards and slid into the end zone for an insurance touchdown in the Gators' 35-21 victory.
"I was nervous. I thought they were going to come back, but we prevailed," Burney said.
Down 28-0 to Palm Beach Gardens to start the fourth quarter, the Cobras scored 21 points. When quarterback Qwad Martin, playing on special teams, fell on their second recovered onside kick of the quarter with 3:55 left in the game, Park Vista's players believed they just might drive 51 yards, get the tying score and keep their playoff drive - and perfect season - alive.
But the fumble dashed their hopes.
"I knew we had the heart to stop them," Gardens senior running back Alex Clark said.
In next week's regional semifinals, Palm Beach Gardens (8-2) will travel to Seminole Ridge, which beat the Gators 28-27 on Oct. 21. Park Vista ends its season at 9-1.
As expected for two teams who played to a rain-shortened tie Oct. 28, this was a showdown - just not at the start. Park Vista didn't gain a first down until 6:55 remained in the second quarter. By then, Gardens sophomore J.P. Caruso already had thrown three touchdown passes.
It was the Gators' two-headed rushing attack that did the most damage. Burney put up 172 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Clark, who had been nursing an ankle sprain in the final weeks of the regular season, gained 128 yards on 18 carries.
Caruso finished 5-of-7 passing for 101 yards, and completed his only attempt in the second half.
Meanwhile, Martin started just 2-of-12 passing. However, he completed 10 of his final 20, despite sustaining a neck injury after he was hauled down by his facemask late in the second quarter. Martin found Nelyja Floyd and Adrian Cerrato for fourth-quarter touchdowns, and ran in a 1-yard sneak before falling on the onside kick.
"I'm totally proud of our kids," Park Vista coach Brian Dodds said. "Let me tell you, Gardens is a heck of a football team. They've got a legitimate shot to make a run."
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User Comments:
Congrats Gators commented on November 18, 2011 at 11:51 p.m.: report abuse
Stop making excuses and give the Gators the credit they deserve. The games was totally lopsided for three quarters. Gators were predicted to win before the players were suspended. Obviously the game wasn't that important to for the players to openly drink only a few blocks from school.
CoBrA commented on November 19, 2011 at 12:09 a.m.: report abuse
Hey I hate losing, but that was a great game. Came down to the wire and you guys just had a bit more than us to pull thru. At least we went out fightin. Good luck to y'all boys.
rofllll commented on November 19, 2011 at 1:22 a.m.: report abuse
2 words : alabama joes
same stuff different school commented on November 19, 2011 at 8:11 a.m.: report abuse
Here he goes again Shane Bussey at his finest. Way to go Shane. Proud of yourself.
confused commented on November 19, 2011 at 8:27 a.m.: report abuse
what did bussey do know lol
Davis Fan commented on November 19, 2011 at 9:25 a.m.: report abuse
To all you people that hated on Chris Davis, admit you were wrong. Can you say second round of the playoffs. I believe Gardens will beat SR. to go to the third round.
former GDS Bible Teacher commented on November 19, 2011 at 9:27 a.m.: report abuse
Good job Roshard Burney! God has blessed you with a special talent and when you play for the Lord, whether you win or lose He will always bless you.
Gator Alum and Current College Scout commented on November 19, 2011 at 9:43 a.m.: report abuse
Are those ex PV players that stupid or that selfish???
I give a lot of credit to PV coach and admin for suspending those idiots from your team.
It shows that Coach Dodds and the school are more about teaching life lessons than just USING 17 year olds to win football games. A nice reward for those kids who picked up playing time because they do the right things. Hopefully those idiot drinkers who showed just how unimportant a playoff game was look in the mirror. Real impressive to scouts too !!
The kids from PV who played last night have nothing to be ashamed of. You and your coaches showed a tremendous amount of character by battling back and playing hard.
That being said: Congrats to the Gators , I know we are ready to beat the Ridge if we keep working hard and believing !!!
@ yea right commented on November 19, 2011 at 10:28 a.m.: report abuse
Above post, look at you writing as you are a college scout and x PBG alum.
please, scouts would not come on a blog and write anything, and you are not a gator alum.
You are a perfect person that wants to just keep things going, because you are so perfect.
Most likely the kid's just haven't figured it out yet and not selfish. Big difference between the two, and maybe the coach should try to make sure all players are at home, but the answer I'd they shouldn't have to baby sit kid's.
I am sure they feel bad enough, but thankfully other players that were doing the same thing and didn't get caught can learn from a lot of things that go down.
Hopefully they won't point fingers like you, because they are not as perfect as you are, except you are a liar about who you are on here, because a college would not hire someone like you. So you are a sinner like all. Signed raider alum
Gator Fan & Parent commented on November 19, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.: report abuse
Congratulations to the Gators for the win and Park Vista for a great game. PV played a clean game and with heart. I really enjoyed the fourth quarter and proud of how PV played as a team and didn't resort to dirty tactics when times got tight like other teams have resorted to. As a parent and football fan, I will say again I'm proud of PV players. My Gator team - guys you started celebrating in the third quarter, almost lost the game. Don't let your egos get in the way next time because it may end up being your last game.
Ray commented on November 19, 2011 at 12:38 p.m.: report abuse
I doubt that the above is a college scout. As a Alum of a university who played I can recommend certain players to be looked at when our recruiter comes into the area. Palm Beach Gardens has a couple of nice players, as well as PV. Congrats to both coaching staffs, as the game was well played as a result of coaching. Good line play, and good adjustments. Good luck to both teams, and coaches.
lets not forget commented on November 19, 2011 at 1:03 p.m.: report abuse
To all the people making a big deal about the suspended players- Lets not forget a few years ago when PBG went to PV in the 1st round after suspending 5 MAJOR players, including RB james jones,and OL Justin Greene. Gardens lost 12-10 in a very controversial victory. Don't remember a lot of excuses coming out of Gardens back then...Sh1t happens!!!
Willie Wonka commented on November 19, 2011 at 1:28 p.m.: report abuse
@@yea right = Mr. Bussey. Guaranteed. You are on the blogs so much, we can tell how you write. No raider alum cares about a PV/PBG blog at 10:28 on a Saturday morning after they won.
@ the past commented on November 19, 2011 at 2:30 p.m.: report abuse
Not trying to make excuses for PV at all. Gardens played a great game and deserved the win. Just sick and tired of Mr. Bussey blogging all the time about how great his kid is. GREAT KID ALL RIGHT! Sense a pattern here? Kings - kicked off the baseball team for his actions, PV - kicked off the football team for his actions. Don't let him or his dad fool you.
Gardens deserved the win. Bussey or no Bussey. PV's vote NO MORE BUSSEY
Mr. G. commented on November 19, 2011 at 3:34 p.m.: report abuse
As an Alumni of PBG I look at all these post and see how times have changed I think sometimes athletes who are good but let it go to there heads and think that if they do something they know that is illegal and think since they are such a good athlete that they will get a slap on the hand.What this player did was let hinself down his family don his school down and his teammates down and look what the outcome was. The PV coaches,players,parents & school have alot to be proud of they played there hearts out and almost won the game but it just was not meant to be on this night and I give the school credit that they stood up like they should and show these players that starting now this shows when you don't follow the rules or break the law you pay for your actions and maybe you will learn later in life you look back and know that the school was doing you a favor to show that better now then in the future it could of been worse for something you thought you could get awy with. Some of us that were and are still athletes and have gone on to bigger and better things some of us are pro athletes or Olympic athletes and know if it wasn't for our parents and coaches and rules to follow we would not be where we are today so if a parent makes excuses for there young adult then it looks like that maybe your young adult life you had the same issues and thought it was ok to do what your child did today was a copy of you. PBG remember keep your heads in the game don't ever think a game is over in the 4th quater it isn't over until the clock says 0:00 good luck in the next game GO! GATORS!
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