Miami Palmetto bests Coconut Creek, now ‘locked in’ for playoffs
Palmetto High School coach Michael Manasco corralled his players into a huddle after their final regular game Thursday night to tell them he needs them “locked in for the next five weeks,” or they could turn in their gear.
“We have a long road ahead,” Manasco said, alluding to the upcoming playoffs, where the Panthers look to make a run after a disappointing (relative to expectations) regular season campaign.
“Every time you win, it creates more responsibility.”
Palmetto defeated Coconut Creek 28-21 Thursday night at Miami Southridge High School. The Panthers came back from a 14-0 deficit to earn a much-needed win and garner more responsibility in the postseason.
The Cougars (6-4) likely will still make the playoffs, but are now in danger of facing St. Thomas Aquinas (9-0) as the eighth seed. Palmetto (5-5), who looked prime for a four-seed heading into Thursday night, hope this win will pad its playoff résumé in Region 4-4M.
The victory comes after Palmetto started 1-4, won three in a row, and lost handily to Miami Norland two weeks ago. It’s been an up-and-down year, Manasco acknowledged, marred by injuries. He pointed to the performance of Jacory Barney, who Manasco referred to as a wide receiver and has listed as an athlete, at quarterback Thursday as evidence of Palmetto’s resulting adaptations.
Manasco said Barney did a “heck of a job” stepping in. The junior threw three touchdown passes, two interceptions and had an explosive 38-yard run in the second quarter.
Palmetto’s first scoring play was set up by a clutch catch in double coverage on third-and-16 by wide receiver Javon Reid at the 12-yard line. Running back Ethan Lopez snagged a 10-yard throw in the end zone with 7:08 left in the half.
The second came after Coconut Creek turned the ball over on downs on an unsuccessful fake punt attempt. Palmetto took over with a short field at the 32-yard line and ended the drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch by Javon Reid for the lead (21-14 with 8:02 left in the third quarter).
The final Panthers score came after Barney pitched the ball to wide receiver Robby Washington, who took it 40 yards to the 16. Then an 18-yard catch (after a sack for loss of 2) by Reid added to his touchdown tally and cushioned Palmetto’s lead.
Defensive pressure and explosive offensive plays helped Palmetto catch up to the Cougars and overtake them in the second half, Manasco said. One big play came from defensive lineman Nigel Trim when he sacked Coconut Creek quarterback Asante Daniels on fourth down, giving the Panthers the ball with 2:40 left in the game and a tighter grip on their seven-point lead.
“Energy is the biggest factor in football when talent is even,” Manasco said. “If you have high energy and you make [big] plays, the momentum is gonna go your way. And it helps. I think that we’ve been on the other side of that a lot this year, and more than normal.”
“We’re good enough and talented enough to go as far as any team and 4M,” Manasco said when asked about the team’s mindset moving forward. “We really, really are. We haven’t shown it this year, due to a bunch of different things. And it’s time for kids and coaches and everyone to just stop being the issue and be the solution. I think anytime you win it helps you do that.”
This story was originally published November 3, 2022 at 11:28 PM.