The Rams of Palm Beach Lakes were one of the best teams in Florida to not make the postseason last year as they went 7-3 with all 3 losses comming to quality opponents in very close ball games. PBL will be playing one of the toughest schedules in the state and will have their work cut out for them if they want back into the playoffs.
Team: Palm Beach Lakes
Schedule:
Week 1: @ Glades Central
Week 2: @ Atlantic
Week 3: Pahokee
Week 4: @ Seminole Ridge
Week 5: Lake Worth
Week 6: Vero Beach
Week 7: Dwyer
Week 8: Palm Beach Gardens
Week 9: Bye
Week 10: @ Jupiter
Week 11: @ Royal Palm Beach
Strength: Running Backs- Last year we saw how beneficial a star RB duo can be as Royal Palm Beach carried it all the way to a 10-2 season. This year Palm Beach Lakes hopes to repeat that, on the legs of Jaquon Hogan and Jabari Byrd, both of whom have the talent to dominate a football game. Without a stellar passing attack or offensive line, the Rams offense will rely heavily on these 2 backs to get the job done.
Weakness: Mentality- When you look at this roster, there really is not a major weakness on the team. PBL has sufficient talent at every unit to be at least adequate. The problem with this Palm Beach Lakes team the past 2 season has not been talent, the problem has been translating that talent into wins on the football field. This program has had an extremely difficult time winning close games in the past, and until they can get over that hump, they will remain outside of the conversation of the top programs in this county.
Key Player: DB/WR Matt Elam- It's rare to find a 10th grader getting this label, but Matt Elam is not your typical 10th grader. He is a budding superstar who is being put in the same breath with former PBL athlete Brandon Heath. However, filling big shoes isn't something new to Elam, as his older brother is playing in the NFL. The speed and overall talent that Matt posesses on the football field should be enough to compenstate for all this pressure.
Key Game: The Palm Beach Lakes vs. Vero Beach game has determined a playoff birth in almost every season in the past 5 years, and with both schools once again featuring a strong team, that will most likely be the case again this year. Circle Week 6 on your calendars this year if you want to go see what has become an annual showdown.
Outlook: This Palm Beach Lakes team is very similar to the past few years in that you have great talent, but something also appears to be missing from the equation to take this team to the next level. Couple that with an absolutely brutal schedule, and this PBL team is going to face some struggles this year. At the same time though, they are an opponent that teams will not want to see in the postseason if they make it that far.
Prediction: 5-5 (2-2), 3rd in District
