CORAL SPRINGS Fla. – The Coral Glades Jaguars nearly matched last season’s point total in tonight’s game alone and is starting off a new season 1-0 for the first time since 2012.
The Jaguars pounded the visiting Inlet Grove Hurricanes (0-1) 56-0 in Friday night’s season opener, just 29 points short of last season’s total of 85.
THE INFO: The Jaguars’ offense was rolling from the first drive and never truly let up.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Shannon Bent broke out a 15-yard run on the first play of the season. On the next play, Bent got the nod again and set up the Jaguars offense in Inlet Grove Territory.
Quarterback Cameron Brooks then connected with Douglas Guy for a 35-yard touchdown at 10:53, on Brooks’ first regular-season pass attempt in a Coral Glades uniform.
After a failed first drive by the Hurricanes, they punted away on fourth down, but the Jaguars special teams blocked the punt and recovered it deep in Hurricane territory. Seconds later, Shawn Valcin went nearly untouched for 20 yards on the ground to put his Jaguars up 14.
In the second quarter, already leading 21-0, Brooks hit Ricky Williamson for yet another touchdown. Later in the quarter, Bent shredded the Hurricanes’ defense yet again when he ran one in from just outside the 10-yard line. The Jaguars took a 42-0 lead into halftime, and Inlet Grove was reeling.
Neither David Wooten or Bobby Steen, the two Inlet Grove quarterbacks who made appearances, were able to do much against the swarming Coral Glades defense. However, sloppy special teams play put the Hurricanes at a disadvantage from the start.
The second half was much less eventful than the first. The high-octane Jaguars offense posted just 14 points in the second half compared to their offensive onslaught in the first. In the third quarter, Brooks connected with Williamson again for his second receiving touchdown of the night. Late in the fourth, Brooks proved he could get the job done on the ground when he broke out of the pocket and dove for the end zone, breaking the plane to put the Jaguars up 56-0 with just 3:07 left in the contest.
KEY PLAY OF THE GAME: On Inlet Grove’s second drive they were once again forced to punt the ball away, already down 14-0 early in the first. The Jaguars once again took over in stellar field position, looking to expand upon their lead. On this drive, Brooks found fellow junior Leif Nilsson from 40 yards out for six, and the point after put Coral Glades up 21-0 in the first quarter of play. A 21-0 deficit is quite insurmountable in the first quarter, especially with a team rolling like the Jaguars were.
STAR OF THE GAME: Cameron Brooks, who transferred last season from Coral Glades’ rival J.P. Taravella, was the star of the game in the season opener. The junior quarterback was nearly perfect through three-quarters. He found three different receivers for four touchdowns and ran for a touchdown of his own late in the fourth quarter. Brooks is at the forefront of this prolific Jaguars offense who have outscored opponents 94-0 in their past two games, counting last week’s preseason game against Hialeah Gardens. With an array of talented receivers and a strong offensive line in front of him, look for Brooks to continue to shine this year.
DID YOU KNOW: Last night’s score does not indicate it, but the Coral Glades football program has had very little success in its 12-year tenure. The Jaguars are just three seasons removed from a winless season and have seen four coaches come and go in seven years. Head coach Christian Baldwin is the fifth coach in that time frame, and it looks like he is here to stay. Baldwin made monumental strides with the program in his first year at the helm, but the 2-8 finish did not show it. Since Coral Glades opened in 2004, the school’s best record has been just 3-7, it appears that the Jaguars are on their way to shattering that under Baldwin’s leadership.
QUOTABLE: “Great game on both sides of the ball,” junior Cameron Brooks said. “It was the perfect home opener to boost the school’s morale who isn’t used to seeing 56 points on the home side of the scoreboard. I’m proud of my offensive line for keeping me untouched all night. It’s going to be a monumental season, and we’re just getting started.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Inlet Grove will play host to the Calvary Christian Eagles (1-0) next Friday, looking to bounce back after this loss. The Eagles are fresh off of a 31-0 victory on the road over Pompano Beach and will look to continue their stellar road play in next week’s matchup. Coral Glades’ homestand continues next week, playing host to Pompano Beach (0-1). The Jaguars will look to ride their momentum after this commanding victory as they approach a tough midseason schedule.
