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.