Palm Beach Central football's young QB, massive O-line show promise

WELLINGTON - On Palm Beach Central’s first possession against Miami Northwestern in its preseason game against powerhouse Miami Northwestern, sophomore quarterback Isaiah Hamilton dropped back, with wonderful protection, and fired a high ball toward the end zone.

Receiver Logan Lindsey Hartwig corralled it for a 45-yard touchdown catch. "Broncos Nation" erupted in jubilation, players romping along the sidelines on its home stadium on Aug. 14.

“It feels great," Hamilton said. “We’ve been practicing it all summer – me and Logan. We’re a great duo on the way."

Palm Beach Central might have the largest offensive line in Florida and if the unit can keep the sophomore quarterback safe and upright, this might be banner season off Forest Hill Blvd. where expectations are always high.

The five linemen – all 6-foot-3 or larger, including 6-8 and 6-7 giants – will also be run-blocking for a sophomore running back with immense talent, Brandon Pendergast III, whose father played at Wake Forest.

Pendergast sat out the Kickoff Classic match vs. Miami Northwestern with a hip pointer and it hurt the offense in a 30-19 loss that was close throughout. He should be back for the season opener at Glades Central on Aug. 20.

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“When you have young guys for the first time, you want to protect them," Palm Beach Central coach Kevin Thompson said a few hours before kickoff. “We’re going to use that big offensive line to build (Isaiah’s) confidence and help out the running game. We got a really good senior running back too (Jamario Rawls)."

The offensive line had its moments but Hamilton, who is slight of build, found himself under some heavy rushes and got battered. As the game wore on, he was hobbling about, in obvious pain, cramping up in his legs. Hamilton had to be treated a handful of times on the field and on the sideline.

“Just cramps," Hamilton said.

Thompson wasn’t happy with the protection. “Size means nothing if you don’t execute," Thompson said.  

But Hamilton still showed flashes of brilliance under duress with his quick release and quick feet. On the last touchdown drive that brought the Broncos within 22-19 in the final seconds of the third quarter, he made two miraculous completions.

On the first play, Hamilton got clobbered as he released the ball downfield, but as he hit the turf, the long ball was caught for a 35-yard gain to the Miami Northwestern 14.

Shortly after, Hamilton was chased to the right sidelines, pushed out of bounds as he released it. As he rolled to the grass, the ball found his receiver Donnie Yocum in the end zone for the score.

Hamilton didn’t see either reception but said “I heard the crack."

“I’m very versatile," Hamilton added. “It’s hard to hold me in a box. If defenses try to adjust to me, I’ll find a way to break that."

It is easy to see why quarterback Julian Ayala transferred to Saint John Paul, not wanting to get into a quarterback derby with Hamilton. It’s the second time Ayala had left the program after leaving once for Palm Beach Lakes.

“He came back here for like 10 minutes and decided he wanted to leave," Thompson said. “(Isaiah) is a really good player. I feel good about our quarterback. He’s a real dude. Really talented. We just got to protect him."

The game was delayed by an hour because Miami Northwestern arrived late, leaving the Broncos on the field, milling about. Maybe that caused Palm Beach Central to fumble away the opening kickoff, allowing Maimi Northwestern an immediate touchdown.

In fact, Miami Northwestern, once coached by the recently re-retired NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, scored another touchdown after Palm Beach Central botched a punt.

While the special teams disappointed, the grades for the Palm Beach Central defense, which allowed just two touchdowns, were high.

Usually, the offensive linemen never get the credit, only the blame. But when a unit is this mammoth, football cognoscenti are going to notice at all times.

At 6-7, senior right guard Zaquan Linton has committed to Colorado. At 6-3, junior guard Zayden Gatlin has more than 20 offers.

The left tackle, senior Michael Robinson III, is the tallest at 6-8. Senior linemen Chris Adderly is 6-3, as is sophomore center Evan Cedeno.

“We have a pretty decent size for a high school team - like a small Division II team,’’ Thompson said.

But the coach, now in his sixth season, cautioned before the game that size can also hinder.

“We were big last year and it didn’t work out for us," Thompson said. “Being big doesn’t mean you’re  going to win the game. You got to use the skills and technique. It’s harder for high-school kids who are that big because the D line is smaller and some bigger guys don’t have the bend. (The defense) gets into them really quicky. If they can stay low they’ll do really good. Sometimes speed kills you. But we’ll be alright. They have a great coach (former Florida standout Roderick Johnson)."

Palm Beach Central lost in the first round of the playoffs last season to Fort Pierce to finish 6-5. You’d think that campaign was much worse the way they speak of it. That’s how lofty this program is regarded.

In retrospect, the 2025 Broncos were a fractured squad.

“I feel it’s going to be a  way better season just off the culture," said star defensive tackle Tyler Alexander, who has committed to Texas. “We have the same talent as a lot of teams in Palm Beach County but they don’t have a great O line. We also have a great D line.

"(Last year), there were a lot of player-based players, a lot of guys who didn’t care about the culture or the team," Alexander added. “They cared about themselves, going to college and making plays. It’s a better culture. We care about each other and care about winning - not just going to college."

Thompson took the blame for the 2025 strife.

“We have to love the motto we re-established - the brotherhood,’’ Thompson said. “Last year was completely on me. We had too many individuals, too many people trying to do it by themselves. We’re really into the brotherhood part. We got to like each other.

“And we have to give max effort all the time or we’re in trouble. Because everyone else thinks of us as their Super Bowl. We’re going to get the best of everyone. Last year we didn’t understand that. Until it was too late."

Linton, who has made big strides in his blocking technique, is flowing with optimism.

“I believe we have enough potential, coming off the season we had," Linton said. “We have potential to restore the Central name. A lot of people doubt us, talk down on us because of the season we had last year. We’re still that good of a team. We’re going to prove it this year."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Central football's young QB, massive O-line show promise