Dwyer Stops Atlantic

The two top teams in District 7A-13 battled it out for first place as the Dwyer Panthers got a 14-0 shutout win over the Atlantic Eagles in Delray Beach on Friday night. Unlike last year's non-district scoring shootout, it was a major surprise that both teams were held scoreless in the first three quarters. Atlantic(5-2,3-1) had a chance to score with 1:34 left in the first quarter, but A.J. Puente's pass from the Panthers one-yard line was intercepted by Clay Meister. Dwyer's Bobby Puyol had a 27-yard field goal blocked by Gerald Fulton with over three minutes remaining in the first half. Following a three-and-out late in the second quarter, Panthers punt return Julius Whigham turned the ball over on a fumble. The Eagles were unable to capitalize as Nick Privitera missed a 47-yard field goal wide left to end the first half. Dwyer(6-1, 4-0) recovered a punt early in the fourth quarter when an arcing ball hit the right leg of Trinity Fordham. Six plays later, Faton Bauta scored on a one-yard run with 8:03 left to break the tie. Atlantic then lost the ball on a fourth-and-one from their own 29. Bauta rushed in from 13 yards out three plays later. Both teams play district foes next Friday as Dwyer continues their six-game winning streak and hosts Lake Worth. Atlantic travels to Royal Palm Beach with a runner-up playoff spot on the line.