By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – For the second consecutive year offense defined the outcome of the high school football game between Pembroke Pines West Broward and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
But there was single play that shifted the outcome in favor of the Bobcats that led them to a 49-38 non-district victory on Monday night.
It was West Broward’s fourth consecutive victory after opening the season with a pair of losses to out of state opponents.
Seconds after a successful goal-line stand inside the one-yard line, West Broward quarterback Brandon Mincy connected on a 99-yard touchdown pass to Amir Sears with 54 seconds left in the opening quarter. It broke an early 7-7 tie, and the Bobcats never relinquished the lead.
“We knew we were going to get single coverage because they were going to blitz everybody,” said West Broward coach Brian McCartney. “We knew we were going to get Sears on the outside and he did what he was supposed to do.”
“I just threw it up and let him [Sears] make the play,” said Mincy. “Once I saw him juggle the ball and catch it, I knew it was a touchdown.”
Like last year’s 43-39 West Broward victory over Gibbons, there was plenty of offense on display on both sides.
Junior running back Amos Bradford, who rushed for 237 yards in last year’s win over Gibbons, had 172 yards on 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns on Monday. He was joined by Daquon Adderly with 120 yards on 13 carries and two more scores.
“We are redefining our run game and that we need to do to make a state championship run,” said McCartney. “We’re undefeated in Florida.”
Bradford’s second touchdown gave the Bobcats a 34-10 lead early in the second half.
Then came the Chiefs furious attempt to make a comeback.
With the Chiefs (3-2) inability to slow down the Bobcats (4-2) run game, they relied on an efficient passing game led by senior quarterback Jayden Torres to remain at striking distance of the Bobcats lead of 27-10 at the half.
Torres completed 31 of 44 attempts for 375 yards for the game and had four second half touchdowns. His scoring passes went to four different receivers – two to Merrick Toddich (8 catches for 152) and one to Luke Cichoski and junior standout Demarcus Deroche.
Senior Gary Hadley finished with seven catches for 114 yards.
In last year’s loss to West Broward, the Chiefs finished with 531 yards, compared to 388 Monday night. The Bobcats had 529 yards a year ago with 347 on the ground. They rushed for 363 yards, finishing with a total of 564 on Monday.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – There’s little doubt what the best girls’ volleyball rivalry is among Broward County schools.
How often is a high school gymnasium in Broward filled to its capacity, as it was Wednesday night when St. Thomas Aquinas hosted Cardinal Gibbons.
The front-line strength of Aquinas would eventually prove why the Raiders have been dominant in the series dating back to 2012.
Led by seniors Emmi Merhi and Isabella Sangha, the pair combined for 17 kills and 10 blocks to power St. Thomas to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-7 victory. The win was the Raiders (14-4) 16th over the last 17 matches against the Chiefs (8-9).
“It’s a great rivalry both ways,” said Aquinas coach Lisa Zielinski. “There’s nothing like and it’s been this was forever. It’s playful fun and competitive.
We blocked really-well and shut down Gibbons offensively. I think we played well tonight.”
“St. Thomas did a great job at the front line,” said Cardinal Gibbons coach Kathryn Reeber. “We were struggling to get our swings past their blocks.”
The last time Gibbons defeated the Raiders in a regular season meeting was September of 2011.
Overall, the Raiders were successful on 34 of 74 kill attempts, while protecting the net with 12 blocks. Seniors Hailey Trebbien and Sydney Guerrier combined for 26 assists.
“With our balance and great front line was a big difference,” said Sangha, a transfer from Pine Crest. “We always come in with a lot of energy. That’s our game with our front line.”
Taylor Scott and Beatriz Matos each had five kills for Gibbons, while Avery Paton added 13 digs and Ava Flores 11 assists.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PHOTO CAPTION: (Left to right): St. Thomas Aquinas front line of Sydney Guerrier, Isabella Cabrera, Isabella Sangha.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – This was a game the Dillard Panthers football team was required to play.
Technically, the District 14-4A home game against Suncoast took 48 minutes of game clock, but though it was over 2 minutes and 33 seconds into the first quarter where the game was decided.
The undefeated Panthers (6-0) needed only their first seven plays from scrimmage to score three touchdowns enroute to a convincing 65-0 victory on Thursday. In two games over the past two meetings, Dillard outscored the Chargers 121-0.
Panthers starting quarterback and Plantation High transfer Jayden Chico, played only the first quarter finishing with 135 yards passing and three touchdowns in a 42-point first quarter. He also had a five-yard rushing touchdown in the opening quarter.
“We always want to win district games, but for me it’s about four quarters of football,” said Dillard coach Demitris Mincey Sr. “This is a process and is part of the steps we need to take. What I got out of this was the defense played the way it was supposed to look, and the offense was efficient.”
Senior running back Anthony Carey had the first touchdown for the Panthers, two plays after recovering a fumble on the first play from scrimmage.
Freshman quarterback Lamech Rucker Jr. added a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter. Timothy Rusley had a 52-yard fumble return for a score and Christopher Tillman added a 58-yard scoring run.
The Panthers finished the first half with 370 yards of offense. Suncoast was held to negative 27 yards on offense.
The 65 points equaled the 65-0 victory over Archbishop McCarthy on October 4, 2019. The most points scoring in a singles game over the last 10 seasons was a 77-0 drubbing of Blanche Ely in the annual Soul Bowl in 2018
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PHOTO CAPTION: Dillard senior quarterback Jayden Chico (No. 5) threw for three touchdowns passes and ran for another in the first quarter of a 65-0 victory over Suncoast
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
POMPANO BEACH – Every offensive player on the field during Saturday’s high school football game between Deerfield Beach at Blanche Ely didn’t come close to the performance of senior Ladarious Smith, a 5-10 senior, typically plays wide receiver and strong safety. On this night he was called on to be Saturday’s starting quarterback after the departure of Landen Carter.
It turned out to be a great decision by Tigers coach Josh Moore.
Smith rushed for 208 yards on 24 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown run of 64 yards with 30 seconds for a Ely 14-7 none-district game on Saturday.
“The victory was the Tigers fourth straight over the Bucks, having out scored them 127-7. Deerfield had won 12 consecutive games against Ely dating back to 2012, while outscoring the Tiger 430-67 during that stretch.
“I’m real tired but it comes with preparation, and I wanted to help my team out,” said Smith. “They pushed me to become the best player that I am. Today I had to step up because my teammates depended on me.”
“We lost our quarterback earlier in the week because he transferred out,” said Moore. “I told Ladarious we needed him to play pretty much the whole game. Special teams, defense and quarterback. He came out and put on a show for everybody.”
Deerfield Beach (1-4) took a first quarter lead after recovering an Ely fumble at the Tigers 20. Senior quarterback William Martinez completed a 10-yard scoring pass to Amarion Ray for a 7-0 lead with 4:14 left in the quarter.
Ely (3-2) tied the score at 7-7 on a Preston Tookes scoring receptions with 7:51 left in the second quarter.
Both teams had put themselves in potential scoring positions in the second half, but defenses stiffened in keeping the game tied.
On third-down and nine from their own 36, Smith ran the ball into the gut of the Bucks defense breaking free for the winning score.
“My coach said if the defensive end comes crashing down, go straight up the middle and that’s what I did,” said Smith. “My goal was for 200 yards and get the win for my teammates.”
“That kid was amazing,” said Deerfield Beach coach James Thomas. “We would have rather run the clock out, rather than give him another shot.”
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – The combination of St. Thomas Aquinas senior quarterback Mason Mallory and junior wide receiver Julius Jones was proven too much to Western High on Friday.
Mallory connected with Jones seven times for 141 yards and three touchdowns as the Raiders comfortably defeated the Wildcats 45-6 in a non-district meeting on Friday.
“The offense was clicking early with them connecting in meticulous ways,” said Aquinas coach Roger Harriott. “Jones compliments our offensive attack.” It was a great execution between the two tonight.”
Aquinas (3-1), who is No. 1 in south Florida and No. 2 in the state, improved to 20-0 all-time against Western, having outscored the Wildcats 760-175.
The Raiders have now won 12 straight games on the fourth game of the regular season school. Their last loss was to Miramar 22-20 in 2013.
Mallory and Jones connected three times in the first half for touchdowns as part of building a 31-0 lead at the half. Through the Raiders first four games Jones already has seven receptions for touchdowns.
“It’s always great when I have a guy like Julius Jones,” said Mallory. “He shows up every day and is a hard worker. I seemed like today no one could guard him. He always found a way to get open.”
“Things come naturally and I work really hard,” said Jones. “Mallory came in with a great morale and mentality. We have a great chemistry together.”
With the Raiders offense playing a high level, the defense was equally as efficient in shutting down the Wildcats (0-3) offense. They were held to 119 yards in total offense. A late Western touchdown accounted for 34 yards.
Collectively, the Aquinas run game finished with 144 yards on 20 carries with touchdowns coming from Morris Choice and Kayin Liddle.
The Raiders look to extend their win streak to four when they play at McArthur on Friday.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.