Post Top 25 football countdown: No. 24 Boynton Beach

Monday, August 13, 2012
by Matt Porter

Fresh off its second playoff appearance in its decade-long history, Boynton Beach is hungry for more this season.

Though the Tigers were just 5-5 during the regular season, they earned District 14-5A's second playoff spot behind powerhouse Glades Central. Coach Rick Swain feels his team is improved from last year's, which lost 34-13 to Merritt Island in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

"I'm going to be disappointed if we don't win eight games this year," Swain said, echoing his words from last year.

Boynton liked to run behind last year's massive offensive line, led by since-graduated behemoths Jessamen Dunker (now at Florida) and Decarreus Mason (North Carolina Central). Senior Charlesson Fierve (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) is the lone holdover in a patchwork group.

While senior tailback Kevin Wilson (5-10, 220) returns, the Tigers plan to air it out with senior quarterback Jake Lutzen and a deep cast of receivers. Lutzen, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound pro-style passer, posted 1,146 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He could eclipse those numbers this year throwing to juniors Javon Shepard and Darrien Josey and Donte Sylencieux, who Swain called "the best sophomore receiver I've ever coached."

"He's unbelievable," Swain said, touting Sylencieux's 6-2, 175-pound frame and 38-inch vertical leap. "I've never had a kid who can go get it like he can."

Sylencieux will see plenty of targets and also will start at safety, where he had three interceptions in Boynton's 25-6 spring game win over Hialeah. "He's an eraser," Swain said. "If you take away big plays, you're in every single game."

The Tigers believe they should handle district opponents like Jensen Beach, Suncoast and Fort Pierce Westwood. They even are optimistic about their chances against Glades Central, which comes to town Nov. 2.

The Raiders won by 63 points last season, but a home crowd and an improved team has Swain believing the Tigers could make it a much more competitive game.

"We have a great opportunity," he said. "We finally have some athletes. If we keep it close in the first half and make a play or two in the second half, we've got a chance."