AROUND THE STATE

HOMEBOYS DR. PHILLIPS CROWNED AT HOME…8A STATE CHAMPIONS

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ORLANDO – Four losses by a combined total of nine points in the playoffs can leave the most sour taste imaginable if you are Rodney Wells and his crew of Panthers. The hard luck ran out on Friday evening for Dr. Phillips and the good luck came rushing in as the Panthers recorded a 17-7 victory over Delray Beach Atlantic to claim their first state title in from of 5,900 frozen fans at Camping World Stadium. Atlantic was making their first title game appearance since 1978, while Dr. Phillips were in this same position last season before dropping a heartbreaker to Southridge.

Dr. Phillips harassed Atlantic QB Antoine Williams II sacking him 5.5 times good for a loss of 50 yards and setting up Atlantic behind the chains consistently all evening. Junior LB Japerri Powell led the way on the defensive side with 7 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a blocked kick, and a QB pressure. Powell’s twin brother Jaquarri was credited with 2 tackles for loss and six QB hits as well. Head Coach Rodney Wells calls both players pound-for-pound two of the best players he’s ever coached at the program.

The Panthers finish the season with a 13-2 record, while Atlantic caps off their most successful season in 39 years with a 12-2 record. Both DRP touchdowns were not of the offensive version: Punt block for a TD in the first period and interception for a TD early in the last quarter.

WE HAVE SOME GREAT PICTURES HERE

ALARMING STATS

1. Atlantic gained 62 yards rushing. But, 34 net rushing yards. Penalties hurt the production of the Eagles. Dr. Phillips Panthers produced 124 net rushing yards.

2. Eagles QB Antoine Williams threw 32 passes, completed 14 of them for 191 yards. When he time he was pretty good. Too bad he didn’t have much time too often. Dr. Phillips entered the game with 1,995 yards passing. Tonight the Panthers could only produce 75 total yards in the air.

3. 2 of 14 and 5 of 16. These numbers represent the the third down conversions for each team. Atlantic couldn’t get much going on offense at all. Much do to the third down defense of DRP. Not too fast. DRP was just 5 of 16 on third downs. Eagles were very good on defense. Note: Panthers did not score an offensive TD.