Playing football in the best schools of the COVID-19 era may have had ups and downs, but Dwyer coach McKinley Rolle wasn’t ready for the roller coaster his team endured last week.
“I’ve been head coach twice,” Rolle said, “and this has never happened. “
The week began with the Panthers preparing for their first game delayed as opposed to Forest Hill. Palm Beach County public school teams, which did not reach the practice area until mid-September due to coronavirus restrictions, were nevertheless in a position to start with 11 games in 3 places.
On Thursday, Rolle learned that the Falcons had faced COVID-19 disorders and would not play. On Friday, he won a call asking if he would be willing to bet with another opponent. Some other time. Somewhere else.
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On Saturday, after seeking to face all the logistical challenges, Rolle and the Panthers took control opposed to Pahokee, one of the county’s most productive groups, took a 14-0 lead, fell in the middle of the moment and then recovered for a 25-22 Victory.
After winning only three games last season, any win would have been a sweet spot for the Panthers, but given the 72-hour odyssey, it’s a testament to their stamina.
Rolle and his team planned to pursue the same educational regimen two days before a game. “Our total game plan to prepare Forest Hill,” he said.
This afternoon, he won a call from the school district, saying that the Falcons had reported COVID disorders and that the game had to be canceled, he had to tell his players that after lacking spring training, summer conditioning and about a month of preparatory work. , now they would have to go down the opening weekend while other public schools were playing.
“It’s very difficult to tell young people that they may not play because of cases beyond our control,” Rolle said.
Rather than making plans for a Saturday afternoon game at Jupiter High, with the Panthers celebrating Senior Night, he started with the following weekend’s game opposite Palm Beach Gardens.
Ironically, it was the misfortune of some other school with COVID-19 that gave Dwyer a chance to play.
Seminole Ridge, who was scheduled to play in Pahokee, also reported coronavirus disorders and had to withdraw from the game, leaving two groups not affected on the sidelines.
With public schools playing only a normal 4-game season and without the option to catch up on canceled games, district officials had an idea: why ask Dwyer and Pahokee if they agree to play with 24-hour ice?
When he won the call related to the proposal, Rolle said, “I didn’t know who, I didn’t know where, I didn’t know when. It didn’t matter. Young people had the right to play. “
The game would be played in Wellington, a 25-mile adventure for the Panthers of the four-mile adventure on the Military Trail to Jupiter. It would start at the 19-heures. au of 2. total ticket factor,” Rolle said of the online-only formula established across the district.
And all this had to be fixed in a day.
When they arrived for the game, the Panthers encountered some other obstacle: the triple-headed game Glades Central opposite Palm Beach Central had been delayed by the weather for about two hours and was still continuing. the Dwyer and Pahokee groups and car fans were stranded in Wellington’s car park for more than an hour due to stadium access restrictions.
Rolle didn’t need his players to be anxious on the bus, so he borrowed a concept he had adopted at one of his past practice stops.
“We took them off, went to an empty parking lot and went through some things,” he said. “I looked for the kids to start thinking about the game. “
The groups didn’t make it to the box until after 7:30 a. m. and they didn’t have a full warm-up, but the game is perhaps the most productive played of the weekend.
Dwyer quarterback Tre’Von Taylor, a Palm Beach Lakes move that won from Preps in the first team last season, led two practices to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead. Taylor joined Elijah Hopkins in the first half to score a 26-yard box purpose through Chance Gagnon that put the Panthers forward 17-14.
Pahokee came out in the part of the moment and took a 22-17 lead with a landing and a two-point conversion.
“Many groups might have retired, but our young people simply fought,” Rolle said.
Taylor, one of the team’s few dozen seniors, took over and led the race, scored in a 5-yard run and threw a two-point conversion pass. The defense sealed the game with a fourth save.
Rolle later said he was “extremely proud” of the way his young team treated this week backwards.
“We had to make a lot of adjustments,” he said. I thank the children, the parents, everyone for making the most of the situation. “
While public schools are just beginning, five of the county’s personal schools are starting the postseason festival this weekend with entry games.
Private schools were allowed to enroll in the FHSAA playoff formula because they are not affiliated with the county school district. The couples decided by a blind draw instead of a ranking.
Glades Day (2-5) attracts the most difficult task, welcoming state protection champion Class 2A Hialeah-Champagnat Catholic (5-2) on Friday night. Champagnat’s victories come with a 33-27 resolution over American Heritage Class 4A.
In Class 3A, 3 Palm Beach County groups are home. John Paul II (4-2) faces Homestead-Everglades Prep (1-3), Benjamin (1-3) plays Miami-Westminster Christian (3-1) and King’s Academy (4-1) plays Fort Lauderdale-Calvary Christian (Cardinal Newman has the week off and can prepare for a playoff game opposite the Winner of St. John Paul-Everglades Prep.
In Class 4A, American Heritage (2-3) had a break before Avon Park (3-4).
Public schools
1. Atlantic (0-0)
2. Central Glades (1-0)
3. Palm Beach Gardens (1-0)
4. Vista Park (1-0)
5. Dwyer (1-0)
6. Mouse Mouth (1-0)
7. Palm Beach Lakes (0-1)
8. Royal Palm Beach (1-0)
9. Pahokee (0-1)
10. Jupiter (1-0)
Private schools
1. American Heritage (2-3)
2. Cardinal Newman (4-3)
3. King’s Academy (4-1)
4. St. John Paul II (4-2)
5. Christian Jupiter (3-3)