Kickoff classics: What did we learn about the Treasure Coast entering Week 1?
After preseason football action in which almost the entire Treasure Coast was able to see what they've got heading into next week's start of the regular season, it was a strong night for the area.
Notable performances included Martin County's 47-0 thrashing of Seminole Ridge, Vero Beach limiting Boca Raton to only three points in a 31-point victory, John Carroll Catholic shutting out Port St. Lucie 34-0 and Treasure Coast going up to Rockledge and emerging with a 16-14 win.
TCPalm takes a look at what stood out area teams as we review Week 0 and spotlight the names that showed out.
John Carroll Catholic 34, Port St. Lucie 0
Wide receiver Marion Frederick showed at times in 2021 that if the ball was thrown to him, he could turn it into a big play.
Now a senior and stepping into a bigger role, he showed Friday night that he can handle more responsibility as he hauled in a highlight-reel 22-yard touchdown catch over a Jaguar defender and shook off another tackler on a screen pass for an 8-yard score in the Rams' shutout win.
Frederick wasn't the only receiver to have a big night as classmate Freddie Pittman had three catches for 110 yards, including a 60-yard reception and senior and Lehigh commit Aidan Singleton showed his speed with two long touchdown catches of 49 yards and 86 yards for the Rams.
Quarterback Dawson Maehl threw for 303 yards on just nine completions, junior running back Tony Colebrook ran for 153 yards and a touchdown and on defense, Auburn commit Wilky Denaud had two sacks and sophomore TJ Alford totaled 11 tackles.
While the Jaguars were shut out, Port St. Lucie only trailed 14-0 late in the first half but allowed Singleton's 49-yard score and had trouble finishing drives strong that stalled outside the red zone in the first half.
Fort Pierce Westwood 18, Forest Hill 12 (2OT)
For a team that didn't win a game in 2021, Fort Pierce Westwood in its first game under Chris Kokell looked the more organized team compared to the Falcons, who reached the state playoffs last year.
It helped that the play along the lines, in particular the defense front led by junior Chris Pierre generated movement that shut down Forest Hill's run game with senior linebacker Bryce Haynes having a great night with numerous crunching tackles.
Junior star cornerback Jaylyn Monds had a long interception return for a touchdown in the first half and the offense had its moments with junior running back Kevin Ryals having a strong night with several physical runs through contact.
The quarterback spot for the Panthers is one they will need to sort out as the season goes along as freshman Joesph Weathers had some moments and sophomore Todd Jackson accounted for two rushing touchdowns in overtime, the final one eventually being the deciding margin for victory.
Treasure Coast 16, Rockledge 14
Shomari Pettigrew showed he was one of the area’s top sprinters at last year’s 4A FHSAA Track and Field Championships placing sixth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.76 seconds.
In his first game playing on the gridiron for the Titans, the senior showed that if he gets daylight, a simple handoff can lead to six points.
Pettigrew made a host of Rockledge defenders miss on a direct snap and outran the defense for a 54-yard touchdown to help the Titans defeat one of Brevard County’s top teams.
Treasure Coast's Xa recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter at the 12-yard line after rain came through and Manuel German de Leon knocked in a 25-yard field goal with 2:22 left in regulation that stood as the winning moment.
George Roberts scored on a four-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to open the scoring for Treasure Coast.
Vero Beach 34, Boca Raton 3
New faces showed Friday for Vero Beach that they can be counted on to produce led by junior quarterback and SMU commit Tyler Aronson throwing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Florida State wide receiver commit Vandrevius Jacobs caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Justin Woulard had a team-high nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown with both touchdown catches coming off well-blocked screen passes.
Freshman EJ White saw time in the secondary but also had two touchdown runs at quarterback showcasing his athleticism that the Vero coaching staff feels will have White as a top talent in his high school career.
Sophomore linebacker Affeon Rivers took back a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown capped the scoring for Vero Beach.
Martin County 47, Seminole Ridge 0
Martin County speedster Denzel Alexander had flashes of brilliance sprinkled into last year’s excellent 2021 season for the Tigers helping the program win its first district title in 15 years.
The senior showed Friday night that he has the capability to score from anywhere on the field by out-running anyone trying to catch him.
Alexander gashed the Seminole Ridge defense on a 92-yard touchdown run and took a punt back in the second half for another score as the Tigers scored an impressive blowout win in Palm Beach County.
It was also a strong showing for sophomore quarterback Jayden Vega, who threw two touchdowns and ran in another as the Tigers defensively forced four turnovers in the victory.
Ricardo Weaver and Jayden Soto had touchdown receptions and Pauly Boisvert and Dominic Lucci each had touchdown runs for Martin County’s offense.
Jensen Beach 20, Heritage 13
With Eden James, one of the area's best running backs in recent memory graduating from Treasure Coast last year, there are a few returning candidates across the area that want the title of the top dog on the Treasure Coast.
Jensen Beach junior Dennis Palmer, Jr. has thrown himself right into consideration after his performance Friday night.
Rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns, Palmer made his biggest play midway through the fourth quarter taking back a kickoff 95 yards after Heritage drew within a point at 14-13 to lead the Falcons to victory.
Jensen Beach's defense forced two fumbles and allowed just one offensive touchdown on the night.
South Fork 13, John I. Leonard 8
Jason Curry took back an interception with three minutes left in the fourth quarter to put South Fork on top 13-8 and a strip sack by David McDermott was recovered by Jonas Barros to help the Bulldogs to victory.
South Fork’s defense had a big night collectively finishing with seven sacks.
Fort Pierce Central 19, Forest 13
Sophomore Ahmar Atwell threw three touchdown passes as the Cobras returned from Ocala with an impressive win.
St. Edward's 28, Melbourne Central Catholic 7
Senior quarterback Dylan Redmon threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 93 yards to help the Pirates enter the regular season with confidence.
Tyler Ross had six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown and the St. Edward's defense had a nice night as Patrick McMullen took a fumble back 37 yards for a score and Josh Langsam along with Nicky Collontrelle also had fumble recoveries for the Pirates.
Master's Academy 42, Oasis Christian 0
Caleb Cotton accounted for all six touchdowns for the Patriots, four of which coming on the ground to lead the offense.
Aiden Vitale had 12 tackles and Marcus Lasiter recovered two fumbles for Master's Academy on defense as they prepare for the 8-man football season in the SSAC.
Chiles 33, Sebastian River 6
After a scoreless first quarter, Sebastian River surrendered 30 second-quarter points as they fell to former head coach Kevin Pettis in Tallahassee.
Jupiter 14, Okeechobee 0
In head coach BJ Pryor's first game at the helm of the Brahmans, Okeechobee's defense performed well but the offense couldn't put together anything as the game was shortened due to weather in the fourth quarter.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Preseason football: What did we learn about the Treasure Coast?
