By Gary Curreri
Deerfield Beach is off to its best start in five seasons as it received another strong performance from Brandon Powell.
The University of Miami commit ran for 194-yds. on 22 carries and scored three second-half touchdowns as host Deerfield Beach defeated Coral Springs, 26-6, in an 11-8A District game on Saturday night.
The Bucks improved to 4- 0 for the first time in five seasons with the victory and faces a stern test this Friday when Taravella (2-2) comes to town.The Bucks and Trojans are both 2-0 in District 11-8A.
Michael Greene’s 3-yard run with 2:52 remaining in the second quarter gave Deerfield a 7-0 halftime cushion. It didn’t last long into the second half as Powell went 80-yards for a score and a 14- 0 lead.
Powell added a 33-yard scoring run to make it 20-0 before the Colts (1-3, 1-1) cut Deerfield Beach’s lead to 20- 6 on an 18-yard scoring toss from Jake Bofshever to Chad Boyd. Powell iced the game with a 6-yard scoring run on the ensuing drive for win.
“We came out a little sloppy, but we made some adjustments and came out with a different attitude in the second half,” said Deerfield Beach coach Allen Jackson, whose team lost to eventual Class 8A state runner-up Cypress Bay in the regional quarterfinals last season and hopes to go deeper in the playoffs this season. “We have to keep taking care of little things like missed assignments and missed tackles.”
Deerfield Beach’s senior running back Aeron McNeal missed the contest as he served a one-game suspension after picking up two personal fouls the previous week in a win over Douglas.
Sophomore defensive back James Pierre recorded two interceptions to pace the Bucks, which limited the Colts to just 110 yards. Powell led a solid ground game that churned out 327 yards. Green also had 59 yards rushing.
The Bucks are also receiving votes in this week’s Class 8A state football poll.
Ely guard, hoping for threepeat, commits to east Carolina
Blanche Ely High School point guard Lance Tejada will be able to relax a little heading into his senior year after pledging to play at East Carolina University during an official visit last month.
Tejada is a four-star basketball prospect and can now concentrate on delivering a third consecutive state championship to the Tigers. Tejada said he was drawn to the talents of East Carolina University coach Jeff Lebo, who was former point guard for legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith.
“Coach Lebo is a great coach and great person,’’ Tejada said. “He played for North Carolina and then in the NBA for a couple years. He knows what it takes on the next level. He has been through it all. He is going to push me to get better, especially at the point guard position.”
Tejada, a member of the ESPN 100, chose the Pirates over more prominent programs, including Alabama, Butler, Florida State, Miami, George Mason, Murray State, Tennessee and Virginia.
Tejada first became noticed on the hardwood after he helped lead Miramar to its first state Final Four appearance in his freshman year. After his sophomore year, Tejada transferred to Ely and helped the Tigers go 27-2 and win its second consecutive Class 7A state championship.
Tejada will be one of the catalysts this season as the Tigers bid for its third consecutive state championship under five-time state champion coach Melvin Randall. The Tigers lost some key players to graduation, including Dallas Cameron; however, Tejada is up for the challenge.
“I didn’t expect to commit this early, but when I got to East Carolina I didn’t want to leave,’’ said Tejada, who scored a game-high 24 points in a 71-52 victory over Bartow in the Class 7A state semifinals last year.
“I’m glad the weight is off my shoulders thinking about where I’m going,” Tejada added. “Now, all I have to focus on is basketball and helping Mr. Randall get that three-peat.”
