By Alex Kushel
Sun Sentinel Correspondent
Oct 08, 2021 11:41 AM
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Boynton Beach junior quarterback Tyrone Smith lifted the Tigers to a victory in the team’s District 14-5A opener. (Barkley Wyckoff / Courtesy)
The Boynton Beach Community High School varsity football team continued to play at a high level on the gridiron as it recently rallied on the road in dramatic fashion for a 17-15 victory against Jensen Beach in a District 14-5A contest.
Despite trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter, the Tigers were able to score 10 unanswered points in the final four minutes to complete the comeback.
The Boynton Beach varsity football squad has bounced back since falling in the season opener against Boca Raton. The Tigers are riding a five-game win streak after victories against Santaluces, West Boca Raton and Palm Beach Lakes during September while also earning wins against Jensen Beach and John I. Leonard during the first week of October.
The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after forcing an early turnover on defense in the first quarter. Senior Germain Horace recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage at the Jensen Beach 10-yard line. The Tigers offense capitalized and took advantage with the short field on the ensuing possession. Junior running back Bobby Smith Jr. powered his way up the middle and went untouched for an 8-yard touchdown run.
Despite trailing 8-7 at halftime and falling behind 15-7 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers delivered a strong performance late in the game to earn the victory in the team’s District 14-5A opener. The Tigers offense marched downfield for a scoring drive as junior quarterback Tyrone Smith rolled out to his left outside of the pocket and scrambled upfield to reach the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown run. He also rushed for a two-point conversion to tie the score with 3:46 left in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers defense stepped up on the next series as it was able to make a game-changing play to earn the victory. Sophomore defensive tackle Jamarous Thomas blocked a punt and the ball traveled out of the end zone as the Tigers recorded a safety on the play to jump ahead by two points with three minutes left.
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The Tigers offense closed the contest with an effective running game on its final possession. Tryone Smith converted on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak from their own 41-yard line to seal the victory. The junior quarterback has lifted the Tigers offense with his ability to make throws in the pocket and by showing his mobility on the run.
“I have really developed and I am throwing the ball better and have been running very well,” Tyrone Smith said.
Bobby Smith Jr. led the Tigers with 130 yards rushing and a touchdown against Jensen Beach. He leads the team in rushing yards and touchdowns, including four scores earlier in the season in a victory against West Boca Raton.
“I have progressed and I am much stronger and faster,” Bobby Smith Jr. said. ” I am scoring more to help the team.”
The Boynton Beach varsity football team finished with a 5-2 record during the shortened 2020 season, which marked its first winning season in the last four years. The Tigers are under the direction of head coach Clifford Fruge, who is in his third season.
The Tigers recently extended its win streak with a 63-16 victory against John I. Leonard in a non-district contest. Bobby Smith Jr. scored five touchdowns and Bobby Trequan Smith had a 102-yard interception return for a score.
