Coral Glades High School Football following their win over Coral Springs Charter. Photo by Matt Rothman.

By: Matt Rothman

High School football is officially back as Coral Glades High School defeated Coral Springs Charter 34-13 on Friday night.

Both teams were hoping to keep up the momentum from last year as the Jaguars returned several key players compared to CSC, who had roughly 80 percent of their starters make their varsity debut.

The experience paid off as Coral Glades scored four rushing touchdowns and defeated CSC for the first time since 2017. Head Coach Cam Thomas was proud of how his team came out to begin the season after a delayed start to the year.

“Charter is always going to give us competition,” Thomas said. “It’s a battle of the field, and this year, it is our field. It is a good way to start. We will go watch the film and get better.”

Early in the game, the Panthers forced a turnover, and despite pinning Coral Glades back inside their five-yard line, it took the Jaguars only four plays to score their first touchdown of the season from Joesph Rispoli.

Coral Glades extended their lead later in the first quarter after Dylan Knaebel connected with Jamari Collier for a long completion. Then, Keshawn Barrett scored his first touchdown of the game to give the Jaguars a 13-0 lead.

However, CSC cut the lead to six on the first of two touchdowns in the game by quarterback Brett Strauss. Coral Glades, though, scored two touchdowns late in the second quarter to take a 24-7 lead into halftime.

The Jaguars were able to score again in the second half after Knaebel threw his first touchdown pass to Jerimiah Holmes to push Coral Glades to 1-0 on the year.

Even though they fell by double figures, CSC still forced five turnovers in the game, which Head Coach Matt Garris said was a good sign moving forward.

“We learned about some of the guys,” Garris said. “We had some guys answer the bell and learned a lot about players who can make plays for us. Five turnovers are always something we want to encourage, and this team is capable of continuing that.”

Up next, the Panthers will return to action on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. when CSC hosts Pompano Beach. The Jaguars will head on the road for a conference matchup with the reigning District Champions, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.

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