Story
Palm Beach Gardens 41, Lake Worth 20: Gators romp in playoff tuneup
Friday, November 09, 2012
by
Steve Dorsey
Palm Beach Gardens closed out the regular season in impressive fashion Friday night. Now it's time for the Gators to get ready for the rematch.
Gardens routed Lake Worth 41-20 in a tune-up for the first round of the Class 8A playoffs next Friday, when the Gators will meet Palm Beach Central in a rematch of an early-season game that Gardens won 10-6.
"They've been dominating everybody lately," Gardens coach Rob Freeman said of Central, the District 10-8A champion. "Hopefully, we come out with renewed energy."
The Gators (7-2) had more than enough energy to handle Lake Worth, which finished with a 1-9 record.
Gardens scored on four of its six first-half possessions to take a 28-6 lead at the intermission. It quickly extended the lead in the third quarter to force a running clock.
Gardens' running game, a staple of the Gators' program, produced 187 yards, but the Gators also had a productive game passing the ball.
Junior quarterback J. P. Caruso threw two touchdown passes and also ran for a score. Caruso connected with senior wide receiver Frank Brown on scoring passes of 13 and 14 yards before adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime.
"I thought J. P. threw the ball as well as he has all season," Freeman said of Caruso, who completed 6-of-10 passes for 121 yards and no interceptions. Caruso also had 44 yards rushing.
Lake Worth's defense did a commendable job limiting Gardens standout senior running back Jermaine Carn, among the county's leading rushers, to 39 yards on 12 carries. But sophomore Tommy Monday showed that Gardens is not a one-man backfield by rushing for 78 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.
"Monday has really come on the last few weeks," Freeman said.
Carn reached the end zone midway through the third quarter on a 2-yard run that gave Gardens a 34-6 lead, and senior Noah Harris completed the Gators' scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run for a 41-6 advantage with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter, initiating the running clock.
James Jones caught a pair of 10-yard touchdown passes from Lake Worth quarterback Jermer Braswell. Richard Seraphin had 93 yards rushing, including a 15-yard touchdown run, for the Trojans.
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User Comments:
Gator Fan commented on November 10, 2012 at 8:25 a.m.: report abuse
Why don't yal talk about defense. Gardens Defense killed Lake Worth. I'd like to see my defensive boys mentioned on here.
Happy Gator Fan commented on November 10, 2012 at 10:34 a.m.: report abuse
Good job last night gator football
Gator Fan with a headache commented on November 10, 2012 at 10:44 a.m.: report abuse
Gators win again, now if they can act humble, they can win the first playoff game. The defense was tight and did their job. Caleb ran the game last night, no doubt he is an excellent athlete & seems humble. His friend JP could learn from him, i heard one parent's comment" JP is conceited with average talent and we are all still scratching our heads trying to figure out why JP is the QB? "
Speaking of JP, can someone please take his fathers very large stick(that he brings into every game) away before the next game. The guy bangs the obnoxious stick the entire game and is obviously craving attention. He bangs that stick when the band is playing their songs, he is off-key every time. He bangs that stick when the lovely cheerleaders are saying their cheers, you can barely hear the girls over the stick banging on the bleachers. Last night I watched several parents look at him in disgust as JP's daddy was oblivous to his pure lack of manners for other fans as he banged his stick. Many games I have seen other fans get up and move away from him so they can enjoy the game and not leave with a headache courtesy of JP's dad. Last night, the church lady took the stick and hid it for a while. It was pure entertainment watching JP's dad run around the stand looking for the "stick." I wish she would have cut it in half or used it at her next bonfire instead of giving the stick back. JP's mommy should not be allowed to bring in her screaming siren to the next game. My ears are still ringing from it, and I moved away from her more than once during the game. The problem is that she runs around telling everyone she is JP's mommy and you can't get away from the woman or her siren.
Love watching the gators win, hate leaving the games with a headache thanks to JP's family.
Best of luck to the gators football program next week, we believe you can take the win.
Renowned commented on November 10, 2012 at 1:29 p.m.: report abuse
Who ever this is talking about JP is a low life. Maybe you shouldn't come to the games if you don't want to hear fans scream in passion for the team. Your most likely a jealous parent cause your kid isn't playing or maybe a little kid with no future. I like to attend football games with the croud into it. Now either stay home and read about or just shut up.
Doc commented on November 10, 2012 at 11:30 p.m.: report abuse
Please, my son is a starting defensive player and most kids are totally mortified by JP mom that is always grandstanding! Calls herself the "team Mom" please we don't support her and would love for her to just chill! We all love her son, the good and bad! He is just learning! Go Gators!
@doc commented on November 11, 2012 at 10:46 a.m.: report abuse
doc, respectfully, as a huge pbg supporter I must say although not everyones personality pleases everyone, JPs mom do tireless work for the program and all the boys. maybe they are a little quirky, but she praises ALL the boys and volunteers countless hours. some of us appreciate it much. bottom line GO GATORS
Cmon commented on November 11, 2012 at 11:56 a.m.: report abuse
They gave jp . Perez's rush yards
Gator Fan commented on November 12, 2012 at 11:16 a.m.: report abuse
Don't turn this program into a soap opera. It is about what happens on the field, not what happens in the stands. Maybe more parents should come to the game, get involved and be enthusiastic about what their kids do. Palm Beach County has so little parent involvement, I applaud parents that not only go to games and passionately cheer for their kids, but also raise funds to support the programs in it. Come together, learn from the example of a good family that is making a good program better. Get involved. Most of all Go Gators!
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