Week 4 Playbook: Centennial looking for revenge against Melbourne

PORT ST. LUCIE — Some coaches are determined never to look back. They prefer just to turn the page and move on.

Don’t count St. Lucie West Centennial’s Jamar Chaney in that group, especially with the Eagles hosting Melbourne on Friday at South County Regional Stadium.

Chaney wants his team to be fully aware of last year’s game at Melbourne — a 28-21 loss in which the Eagles allowed two rushing touchdowns in the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds.

“I talk about it a lot,” Chaney said. “I didn’t like how we went up there and played — especially on the defensive side of the ball. They came out and ran the ball down our throat. The same thing had kind of happened the week before against (Fort Pierce) Central and then we let the same thing happen against them. It’s kind a bitter taste in all these guys mouths, just how we lost that game.

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“I talk about it. Anything you can use to get these focused and ready to go, I use it.”

After the first three games of the season, Centennial has the area’s stingiest defense and is creating plenty of turnovers.

The Eagles have allowed only 12 points — none in the second half — and intercepted at least two passes in every game. The ball hawking is to be expected considering the Eagles have three defensive backs on the TCPalm Super 11.

That’s why Centennial’s defensive game plan doesn’t change regardless of the opponent.

“Stop the run and make them one-dimensional,” he said. “With this group, we (need to) stop the run and make them throw the ball.”

More:Centennial football team tries for rare 3-0 start Thursday

Here’s a look at the best games of Week 4

1. Melbourne (3-0) at Centennial (3-0): Statistically, both of these teams are scoring a lot and giving up very little. The Bulldogs run-based offense is averaging 31 points per game and giving up only 6.7. Centennial is scoring 37.3 and allowing just 4. Something has to give, right?

2. Treasure Coast (2-1) at Martin County (1-2): This game could come down to the team that makes the most plays on defense. The Titans single-wing offense has given some of the best teams in the state problems, while Tigers quarterback George Johnson is one of the most difficult to contain.  

3. Fort Pierce Westwood (2-1) at South Fork (1-2): Westwood comes into this game on a roll with back-to-back wins where the offense has looked sharp and the defense is finding the end zone, too. The Bulldogs aren’t looking for moral victories, but played very well in last week’s loss to Sebastian River and should be ready to give Westwood all it can handle.

Under-the-radar game

Bayside (1-1) at Jensen Beach (1-2): After three-plus years of futility (31-game losing streak from 2014-17), the Bears appear to much better under first year coach Corey Broomfield. The Falcons will be looking to get on track in the District 14-6A opener after a tough loss to Cocoa last week.

Individual matchups to watch

Martin County QB George Johnson vs. Treasure Coast DB Tyrec Thompson: Johnson (No. 1 on the TCPalm Super 11) primarily targeted junior wide receiver Sir John Reynolds last week against Central. If the speedy Thompson (No. 6 TCPalm Super 11) is on Reynolds, will Johnson look elsewhere? Thompson has three interceptions the past two games.

South Fork RB Joe Macgillivray vs. Fort Pierce Westwood LB Ahmanuel Thorpe: Macgillivray runs hard (evidenced by his highlight reel run against Sebastian River a week ago) and has impressed Bulldogsc coaches with his toughness. Thorpe has emerged as one of the Panthers top run stoppers and is coming off a solid performance against Jupiter a week ago.   

Okeechobee ATH Veyon Washington vs. Sebastian River DL Tim Smith: Okeechobee has had an extra week to prepare for the district opener and coach Ty Smith has said he wants Washington to touch the ball more. Guess what Sharks coach Tyrone Perry is saying? Sebastian River has to stop Washington. Smith has made impact plays every game this season and can take over when he wants to.

Melbourne RB Antonio Wright vs. Centennial LB Deshauwn Alleyne: The Bulldogs have relied on Wright early this season. The sophomore has 481 yards — including a career-best 265 last week against Bayside — and scored three touchdowns. Alleyne has been a physical presence in the Eagles front seven and likely will be called on often against Melbourne.

John Carroll Catholic WR Bryce Bevins vs. North Broward Prep DB Daniel Parker: Bevins and Jacob Krauza have given the Golden Rams a nice 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Expect the Eagles to try to neutralize Bevins with Parker, a speedy athlete who returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the season opener.

Get your camera ready

Fort Lauderdale OT Kaleb Boateng (6-foot-4, 293 pounds) is rated a three-star recruit with offers from several Power 5 programs, including Boston College, Pittsburg and Maryland. Vero Beach DE Jahfari Harvey (No. 2 TCPalm Super 11, Miami commit) has five tackles for loss, three sacks and seven quarterback hurries this season. It’s always fun to watch two future college linemen going against each other.

By the numbers

+1: Point differential for Treasure Coast this season. The Titans have scored 110 points and allowed 109.

2: Players who have scored touchdowns for Sebastian River this season. Wide receiver Corbin Gibson has scored five the past two weeks and running back Javian Tomlinson scored three in the season opener.

9: Touchdowns John Carroll Catholic quarterback Jay Allen has accounted for this season.The Golden Rams have scored 11 touchdowns this season.

15: Combined touchdown passes for Centennial quarterback Blayne Watkins and Vero Beach quarterback Nick Celidonio this season. Watkins threw a career-best four touchdown passes against Royal Palm Beach last week.

0: Combined interceptions thrown by Watkins and Celidonio this season.