By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – Over the years the annual Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan football rivalry game has had its outstanding individual performances.
Friday in the 66th meeting between the schools, it was senior Vila Jozama’s turn to shine.
The defensive back came up with a pair of big-time plays helping determine the outcome of the Flying L’s 17-0 victory at Lockhart Stadium on Friday.
The victory was bittersweet for assistant coach Richard Dunbar IV had stepped in for his father Richard Dunbar III, who suffered a gun shot wound a day after a postponed game against Halladale in mid-September,
“Oh man this victory was a blessing,” said Dunbar IV. “I feel like it was meant to be, it was meant to happen. I was meant to take over.”
The 17-point shutout win was the first for the Flying L’s since the two teams first met in 1958. It was also their eighth shutout all-time in the rivalry. Despite the loss, Stranahan still leads the series 41-23-2.
With the game still in doubt late in the third quarter, Jozama took a direct snap from center racing untouched for a 73-yard touchdown run for 14-0 lead with 2:24 left in the third quarter.
Following a 31-yard field goal by Brandon Guerrero increased the Fort Lauderdale (4-5) lead to 17 points, Jozama squashed any thoughts of a Stranahan comeback with an interception late in the final quarter.
“On the touchdown, the ball was coming to me, and I said all right I’m going to make the play to turn the game around,” said Jozama. “Coming into the game we said we’re not going to stop. Games like this are always important.”
Fort Lauderdale took advantage of an early turnover, scoring on a Armani Strong 16-yard run with 3:49 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.
Stranahan (4-5) had several chances to produce points, including getting to the Fort Lauderdale one-yard line in the first quarter, before mistakes failed them.
“Fort Lauderdale made a couple of big plays that were the difference tonight,” said Stranahan coach Jack Candy. “We made some plays, but we just didn’t get in the endzone. We just played sloppy bad football tonight.”
Stranahan junior running back Leroy Cooks led all runners with 75 yards on 15 carries.
FORT LAUDERDALE vs. STRANAHAN
Football History (Through 2024)
Stranahan leads All-time Series: 41-23-2
Stranahan All-Time points: 1,147
Fort Lauderdale All-time points: 812
Stranahan (Consecutive wins): 16 (1985-2000)
Fort Lauderdale (Consecutive wins): 6 (2013-2018)
Stranahan (shutouts): 14
Fort Lauderdale (Shutouts): 7
Stranahan (Mort points scored in game): 48 (2003)
Fort Lauderdale (Most points scored in game): 33 (2016)
Most points in game (Both teams): 75 (2003, Stranahan 48-27)
Year Winner Loser Score
2024 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 17-0
2023 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 30-14
2022 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan (OT) 20-14
2021 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-0
2020 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-20
2019 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 28-23
2018 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22-0
2017 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 24-19
2016 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 33-21
2015 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 2-0
2014 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan T 0-0
2013 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 23-0
2012 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 26-19
2011 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 23-6
2010 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 38-16
2009 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 45-24
2008 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 29-14
2007 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 3-0
2006 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 25-14
2005 No game Hurricane Wilma Xxxxx
2004 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 27-14
2003 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 48-27
2002 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 28-7
2001 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 14-7
2000 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-0
1999 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 41-0
1998 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 15-0
1997 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 25-0
1996 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 33-14
1995 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-0
1994 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 24-6
1993 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 9-6
1992 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-0
1991 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 36-0
1990 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 34-6
1989 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 22-21
1988 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 26-13
1987 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 25-0
1986 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-0
1985 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-8
1984 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 12-7
1983 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 25-21
1982 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 24-8
1981 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 17-14
1980 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 17-8
1979 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 7-0
1978 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 27-8
1977 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-10
1976 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 41-0
1975 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 14-0
1974 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-14
1973 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 13-12
1972 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 13-9
1971 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 29-7
1970 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 22-21
1969 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 21-15
1968 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-13
1967 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 21-7
1966 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan T 14-14
1965 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-7
1964 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 26-6
1963 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 7-6
1962 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 20-0
1961 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 13-6
1960 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 27-13
1959 Stranahan Fort Lauderdale 19-18
1958 Fort Lauderdale Stranahan 14-13
1956: Stranahan played 10th grade football under coach Clyde Underwood
1923: Fort Lauderdale first game Miami 25-0 (coach Bob Porter first coach).
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – The St. Thomas Aquinas girls volleyball team inched a step closer to their eighth state championship in a very powerful way.
Mikayla Porter, Sydney Guerrier and Emmi Merhi combined for 24 of the Raiders 47 kills to cruise past South Plantation 25-7, 25-11, 25-12 in a Class 6A regional final on Wednesday.
The victory moved Aquinas a step closer to defending their state title and possible eighth over championship. They will face Land O’Lakes Sunlake (15-8) in a state semifinal match on Nov. 8 at Polk State College in Winter Haven at 10 a.m.
Should the Raiders advance they would face the winner of the Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer/Gulf Breeze winner. The championship match is set for Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
“We were very offensive tonight, and everyone contributed,” said St. Thomas coach Lisa Zielinski. “The inside was strong and the outside was scoring. It wasn’t just one player. It was multiple players that were scoring.”
The victory was the third of the season against South Plantation, all in straight sets. Aquinas has won 10 consecutive matches against the Paladins (20-4) dating back to 2008, while losing just one set.
Overall, the Raiders have outscored the Paladins 25-2 in sets won.
The Paladins hung tough down two sets to none, trailing 11-6 and 20-12 in the third set before the Raiders closed out the match with five straight points that included a Porter kill to seal the victory.
“Our front row is very aggressive,” said Porter. “That’s one thing we have and other teams know. We’re all such a good team with such good players. We come together do get it done.”
St. Thomas was clearly the better team from the onset.
The ended the first set on a 12-2 run with Porter’s deciding kill.
An indication of how one-sided the regional final was, is the Paladins’ longest point streak was held to three, but not until Aquinas led 20-9 in the third set.
Overall, the Raiders had all the right moves to a clear victory.
Senior outside hitter Tameary Wardlaw had eight digs and Makia Brooks had six digs along with her match high 17 assists.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Make no mistake about it, when it comes to high school football talent in south Florida, age means nothing.
This is the region of the country where 9th and 10th graders are fair game. If they are needed to make a contribution at the varsity level, they step in – no questions asked. The talent level is that impressive.
Many chalk the talent up to the amazing youth programs that run through Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and produce elite talent.
RUSSELL PROFILE
PLAYER: Daylen Russell
POSITION: DE
SCHOOL: Miami Christopher Columbus
CLASS: 2024
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 235
SCOUTING: Having watched this young man play, there is no limit to how impressive he is going to be.
Remember, this is someone who already has turned heads, and with a solid spring and a summer where college coaches are getting an early peak, this is definitely the next defensive lineman who will step up for the Explorers.
He is quick off the ball, strong and very athletic. When you see him play, it’s hard to believe that he has three seasons left to go – and that already has many thinking this is going to be a top area player.
In his spring game against North Miami Beach, he showcased some of what he’s all about – coming up with a sack and getting off the ball against a quality senior offensive lineman.
While the Explorers have several holes to fill, and questions to be answered, here is a young talent who will certainly give head coach Dave Dunn and his team less to worry about.
TAPE: https://www.hudl.com/profile/9810163/Daylen-Russell/about
For the past 51 years, we have spent time going from games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
When you happen to be a smaller school, stocking your roster with elite talent is not the norm, but things are changing.
At schools like Miami LaSalle, head coach Helder Valle has been able to assemble some quality talent as this program grows and builds toward the future.
With two weeks left until college coaches and athletes will once again head into another “Dark Period” of the recruiting cycle, it has come down to getting to as many events as possible.
The team tours that so many high school programs are taking has opened up avenues that have not been there for the past 14 plus months – and no matter what college it may be, doing the best you can is essential.