How Fort Pierce Westwood won its first football game in 653 days? 🗣️ Run The Ball

ROYAL PALM BEACH — For the first time in 653 days, Fort Pierce's Westwood Panthers have won a regular-season football game.

Westwood snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 36-13 victory over the Royal Palm Beach Wildcats. Their last win was a 28-0 victory over Middleton (Tampa Bay) on Nov. 11, 2020.

“You see the smiles? That’s what it’s all about,” first-year head coach Chris Kokell said. “We are all feeling happy and proud. That is the pride that Fort Pierce Westwood deserves. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Panthers started the game down 7-0 after Royal Palm snuffed out two red zone possessions. The first was a three-and-out, then after stopping an early fourth-down conversion attempt, Wildcats' corner James Williams returned an interception from his own end zone for a pick-six with 3:35 to go in the first quarter.

That is where the momentum stagnated for Royal Palm.

After forcing a Westwood fumble on the next drive, they could not capitalize on another red-zone opportunity. The Panthers would tie the game with 7:44 to go in the second quarter with a Joseph Weathers screen pass to Cornelius Wilson.

Westwood continued to stop Royal Palm Beach in the red zone and scored 36 unanswered points to run away with the win. It included a deep touchdown reception by Jacob Mills just before half that sunk Royal Palm’s momentum. It was not until Williams — who scored the first points of the game — rushed in a four-yard touchdown with 2:28 to go that the Wildcats would get on the board.

Last season does not tell Westwood’s story
Westwood did not look like a team coming off of an 0-9 season on Friday.

Returning talent from its 7-2 campaign two seasons ago in FIU recruit and star corner Jaylyn Monds and rushing attack duo Kevin Royals and Todd Jackson, the Panthers looked more like their 2020 selves.

“You watch that film from last year, that was not an 0-9 or 0-10 talent. Things just did not happen the right way,” Kokell said. “These kids are doing it. They are the heart and soul of the school. I see these kids there, the program is great, the young kids are filled with energy and you hear them cheering right now. They love their school, they love their city and I am blessed to be a part of it.”

Kokell, who previously worked with ESPN West Palm, has seen the game from a different lens and could be key to turning around a talented Westwood squad.

Monds shines on both sides of the ball
Westwood cornerback Jaylyn Monds showed why he has become a highly touted recruit on Friday. On defense, he broke up numerous key passes to help dash Royal Palm Beach’s red-zone hopes while contributing with two successful two-point conversions on offense.

“It really means a lot to me to help my team win and that they depend on me,” Monds said.

The junior cornerback has garnered interest from around the country — including Pittsburgh, FIU, Coastal Carolina and Marshall — and for good reason.

“I mean, he is a Monds,” Kokell said. “There have been a generation of Monds that have come through and he is the next one up. He is so special and there is not a guy in the area I would take over him. If there were trades allowed, he would have a no-trade clause right there”