Prep football: Townsend, Carter impress in Palmetto Ridge's weather-shortened win
CAPE CORAL -- The Palmetto Ridge High School football team showed off some speed in its preseason game, a 21-7 win over Ida Baker on Friday night.
The game was called at halftime because of a thunderstorm approaching from the southeast.
DeMarcus Townsend, a transfer from Gulf Coast who is being recruited by Division I schools, carried 11 times for 99 yards in his first appearance in a Palmetto Ridge uniform.
Just the threat of Townsend's speed will be an asset to Palmetto Ridge this year. On the Bears' opening drive, Townsend carried the ball six times. That constant pounding of the run gave quarterback Jacquez Carter, a transfer from Lely who was named Collier County's top player last year, the opportunity to pass to an open Bailey Anderson for a touchdown.
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"He's obviously a threat and defenses have got to respect him," Palmetto Ridge coach Chris Toukonen said. "It opens a lot of things up for our receivers and quarterbacks."
Townsend did score a touchdown. First, he caught a snap on a fake punt play and ran 46 yards before being dragged down by Baker's return man. Townsend then finished the job with a 10-yard run into the end zone.
Though it was a strong performance for Townsend, Carter actually led the rushing game, with 100 yards on 7 carries. 95 of those yards were from one play, on which he went around the Baker defense and outpaced them to the end zone.
The Palmetto defense was largely successful. The only Baker touchdown came after freshman Kamonte Grimes touched a punt that he was unable to play, giving the Bulldogs the ball on the Palmetto 3.
"He just wanted to make a play. He's young," said Toukonen, who added that Grimes will be "a gem" in the future.
The Bears have a bye next week and will open their season on Sept. 1 at home against Riverdale.
Palmetto Ridge 21, Ida Baker 7
PR 7 14 X X -- 21
IB 7 0 X X -- 7
First quarter
IB: Shomari Mason 7 pass from Christopher Kovacs (Michael Sheehan kick), 7:53
PR: Bailey Anderson 17 pass from Jacques Carter (C.J. Moya kick), 3:38
Second quarter
PR: DeMarcus Townsend 10 run (Moya kick), 4:31
PR: Carter 95 run (Moya kick), 1:21