Atlantic Edges Deerfield Beach

     The Atlantic Eagles got past the Deerfield Beach Bucks 12-10 at Atlantic Stadium in Delray Beach on Thursday night in a preseason kickoff classic. Both schools, who are 12 miles apart on I-95, are likely to contend and make the FHSAA playoffs this year.
     Bucks new quarterback Michael Pratt, who transferred from Boca Raton, did not play in the contest. He did play in a two-quarter game against Cardinal Gibbons last week.
     The first half belonged to Atlantic as they put up nine points. After Deerfield Beach began their first drive with a three-and-out, Atlantic scored on the third play of their first possession with a seven-yard touchdown run at the 10:13 mark of the first quarter. The Eagles added a safety with 1:58 remaining in the second and moved ahead 9-0.
     Deerfield Beach got a field goal in the third quarter and trailed 9-3. Ashlee Ritter, who became the first female player in over 15 years on the team, kicked a 29-yard field goal with 3:49 left in the third and the Eagles regained a nine-point margin.
     The Bucks added a touchdown and were down 12-10 with 10:53 to go in the final quarter. Quarterback Marquis Pierre sprinted and dove into the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run. Deerfield Beach had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing stages of the game, however they lost the ball on a fumble in Atlantic territory with 33.1 seconds left.