JUPITER — For the second year in a row, Jupiter football is in the driver’s seat for a district championship.
The Warriors defeated Palm Beach Central 21-12 on Monday, completing the final three quarters of a game that a series of lightning delays suspended Friday night.
Nick Bothe extended the ball across the goal line for a touchdown that iced the game in the final two minutes, capping a win in which Jupiter’s game plan was both better drawn up and better executed.
“It’s a huge win,” Jupiter coach Josh Brooks said. “That’s a really good team over there. You see year-in and year-out they’re competitive, really well coached. He does a great job. He’s been there for a while and we’ve had some good battles. So anytime you get one over them, it’s
a big one, something that we definitely take pride in.”
The win puts the Warriors (7-1) in control of their path to the district championship. The Broncos, meanwhile, face a short turnaround before playing Cardinal Mooney on Friday.
Take two: ‘Homegrown’ Jupiter shuts down Broncos again
Last year’s matchup also endured a prolonged lightning delay. This time, after Friday night’s postponement pushed most of the game to Monday, Jupiter returned prepared for everything Central had to offer.
There would be no near-comeback after Jupiter built a big lead, as there was in 2025. Instead, the Warriors delivered an old-fashioned, ground-and-pound defensive win. What the game lacked in offensive fireworks, it made up for in stakes.
“We’ve been working all offseason for this,” Zach Sulyma said. “You know, we hadn’t beaten Central before in the past and, now, back-to-back. We’re really making a statement in the county. We’re one of the best teams.”
Central managed only a handful of splash plays before Jupiter’s defense took control.
With the Broncos trailing by two and the game still within reach, the offense could not generate enough movement, eventually faltering on fourth down and turning the ball over on downs.
The possession was a fitting snapshot of Jupiter’s defensive performance. For most of the night, the Warriors contained Central and generated just enough offense of their own.
And Jupiter did it despite a disparity in the teams’ Division I recruiting profiles.
Asked about that difference after the game, Jupiter’s Thomas Carlstrom did not hold back.
"I'm not going to lie, they get all the transfers whenever they all get hyped up," Carlstrom said. "I grew up with these kids since I was five years old. I bet they knew each other for one year. They're going places. I'm not going anywhere for D1, but I don't care. I'm going to play my heart out every day with my brothers. I love these guys and I grew up with them, and there's nothing that can beat that. I'm homegrown. I love it."
Jupiter can lock up a district title with a win over Dr. Joaquín García this Friday.
Central not without opportunities in loss
The midweek film sessions will not be fun get-togethers for Palm Beach Central.
For players or coaches.
Two years ago, coach Kevin Thompson elected to kick a PAT rather than attempt a two-point conversion in a regional loss to Vero Beach, a decision that ultimately proved costly.
In the third quarter of Monday’s loss to Jupiter, Thompson again elected to kick the PAT after Central pulled within 14-12 rather than attempt a two-point conversion to tie the game.
What made the decision particularly notable was what preceded it. On fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Central went for the touchdown instead of kicking a field goal. The aggressive decision worked, with Jamarlo Rawls reaching the end zone, but it was immediately followed by the more conservative choice to kick the extra point.
In a game that already featured a missed PAT and limited trips to the red zone, the decision was debatable. Hindsight is always easier, but Central ultimately spent most of the remainder of the game trailing 14-12.
Winds of 18 mph, with stronger gusts, affected the play-calling for both teams. Central’s opportunities also were limited by an offense that struggled to generate variety or consistent production.
The Broncos’ offense leaned heavily on running-back draws. Sometimes, the offensive line created the necessary gaps. Rawls scored two touchdowns on such plays. Other times, the results were far less productive.
Given the personnel Central has, including multiple Division I commits on the offensive line, its season-long offensive struggles remain difficult to reconcile. The Broncos even ran essentially the same concept five consecutive times during one stretch before halftime.
Including Monday night, Central is averaging just 15.3 points per game.
Frustration was evident. Visiting fans repeatedly voiced their displeasure, and one Central coach threw his hands up while sitting on the bench. Even with the Broncos within one score and time remaining, the sideline became increasingly subdued as opportunities slipped away.
There is little time to dwell on the loss. Central faces a quick turnaround against Cardinal Mooney on Friday.
The Broncos can still qualify for the regional playoffs with an at-large bid, but after another night of missed opportunities and limited offensive production, something needs to change. And fast.
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter beats Central, takes over driver's seat for district title
