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.”

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach coach Allen Jackson had a feeling his team might start off slowly in its District 11-8A opener against rival Douglas on Friday night.

After all, the Bucks hadn’t been challenged in their opening two contests as they outscored Northeast, 37-0, and Blanche Ely, 46-6, before having last week off with a bye.

“We knew this was going to happen,” Jackson said. “Both teams came into the game undefeated and a win is a win. We’ll take it any way we can get it. This is a big, big, big win. Deerfield hasn’t been 3-0 to start the season in a while.”

Senior running back Aeron McNeal rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns as visiting Deerfield Beach rallied for the come-from-behind 47- 31 district victory over Douglas.

McNeal was ejected from the contest with 8:30 remaining in the game after being called for his second personal foul penalty in the game. It is unknown what his status will be for this week’s game against Coral Springs. The Bucks were penalized for 160 yards in the game.

“We aren’t sure what is going to happen with that,” Jackson said. “Our athletic director (Vinnie Tozzi) was going to talk to the officials and see what is up.”

Douglas (2-1, 0-1) took a 7-0 lead on a 15-yard scoring toss from Brett Israel to Tate Lehito. The score capped a 9- play, 68-yard drive. Deerfield Beach answered as it took the ensuing kickoff and marched 77 yards in eight plays as McNeal scored the first of his two touchdowns in the first half to tie the game at 7-7.

The Eagles scored off a fake punt to grab a 13-7 lead as Israel found Corey May with a short pass and he went 41 yards for the score with 11:35 remaining in the first half.

Deerfield Beach (3-0, 1-0) took the lead for good at 14- 13 on a 34-yard scoring run by Brandon Powell with 8:22 left in the first half. Douglas was driving for a go-ahead score late in the first half, however Israel’s pass was deflected and Powell returned the interception 53 yards to set up McNeal’s 48-yard TD run with 1:24 remaining in the first half.

“That gave us the momentum right there,” Jackson said. “It was what we needed and we were able to straighten things out after that.”

Douglas’ Davian Daley pulled the Eagles to within 21-19 as he scored on a 1- yard run to cap a nearly 9- minute drive to open the second half.

Deerfield’s McNeal broke off right tackle and scampered 20 yards to push the lead the 27-19 with 1:03 left in the third and the Bucks iced the game on a 73-yard TD pass from Danarious Graham to Leonard Scott with 8:30 remaining in the game. Douglas closed to within 34-25 on a 5-yard TD run by Khalil Herbert; however, Justin Morgan caught a 20-yard scoring toss from Graham, and then returned an onside kick 50 yards for the score to up the lead to 47-31.

The Eagles added a 24-yard scoring toss from Israel to Ryan Allison in the fourth quarter.

The men and women of the Broward Sheriff Office are mourning the loss of a dedicated colleague, Deputy Daniel Rivera, who died Saturday night of injuries he sustained in a car crash. He leaves behind a 14-year-old son, Damian Luis Barrio, and many other grieving relatives, friends and coworkers.

Visitation for Rivera will be held Thursday, Sept. 26 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Pompano Beach, 138 NE 1 STreet, Pompano. The funeral is 11 a.m., Friday, September 27 at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, 2401 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale. Interment is at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, 1400 State Road 7, North Lauderdale.

Deputy Rivera, 32, started with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2003. He served in the agency’s Department of Detention until May 2012 when he transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement. He was a road patrol deputy in BSO’s Pompano Beach district. He was driving on Interstate 95 just before sunrise on Sept. 11 when his car left the roadway and hit a tree.

“Our entire agency is feeling the loss of this young, brave deputy who was taken too soon from his family, friends and coworkers,” Sheriff Scott Israel said. “I am praying for Deputy Rivera’s family to find comfort and strength during this time.”

Deputy Rivera was a confident, hard-working deputy who loved fitness, dancing to Latin music, rooting for the New York Mets and being with his friends, family and his girlfriend. He was born in Brooklyn and attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan and Florida Atlantic University. Deputy Rivera was an auxiliary police officer with the New York Police Department before moving to Florida at age 19. He attended Church by the Glades in Coral Springs.

Other survivors include his mother, Miriam Cuin, a captain with the New York City Department of Corrections; father, Antonio Cuin, a warden with the New York City Department of Corrections; sister, Jessica Ducos; brother, Carlos Ducos; grandparents, Moises and Maria Hernandez and girlfriend, Andrea Mendez.

By Rachel Galvin

Thinking about traveling with your family to the Big Apple? Wondering what to do? While this seems to be more of a great place for adults, there are places great for families, although waiting until children are a little older is probably preferred. Here are a few options.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org). From Egyptian temples to modern art, this is a great place to teach children about the art world. Ask about their family programs and free days. Exploreother museums nearby.
• American Natural History Museum (www.amnh.org). Look at fossils of dinosaurs; learn about whales or other creatures, see a film in IMAX or visit the planetarium. (While in the area, check out the Dakota Building (1 W. 72 St.). This 19th century landmark has been home to countless celebrities, including John Lennon, who died here. Nearby in Central Park, you will find “Strawberry Fields.”)
• Central Park Zoo (www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/central-park-zoo.html). In the southeast corner of the park, birds fly free in the aviary while reptiles slither nearby safely behind glass. Monkeys preen on rocks in a serene man-made lake. Also look for a polar bear, snow leopard and other animals.
• Empire State Building (www.esbnyc.com). The 86^th floor offers a great view. Bring quarters for a closer look.
• NBC Studio Tour (www.nbcstudiotour.com). See a behind the scenes look of some of the shows filmed here and be part of the action. Wear a jacket. It is very cold in here! Right next door is Radio City Music Hall (www.radiocity.com).
• Times Square. Experience the excitement of the Great White Way. Visit M&M World (1600 Broadway) and the Hershey’s store across the street.
• New York City Library (www.nypl.org). Visit the free exhibit “Why Children’s Book’s Matter,” about the history of children’s literature. On Fridays, from 1 to 2 p.m., in nearby Bryant Park, there are free fencing lessons. Call 212-382-2255 for info. Nearby are Grand Central Station and the Chrysler building.

• United Nations (http://visit.un.org) is currently closed from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7. They have a special tour for kids. Email unitg@un.orgwith questions. Mail your postcards here; they have a post office near the gift shop.
• FAO Schwarz (www.fao.com). This is a must-see for kids of all ages! You can build your own doll, or a whole doll house. You can even play beautiful music with your feet on the full size piano, just like the movie “Big.” Look for the Zoltar.
• For a better view of the islands, check out the Circle Line Cruises (www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises/home.aspx). Another great view is from the Brooklyn Bridge. See the nearby “Freedom Tower.”

Lodging is the most expensive part of a NYC trip. You can find food, gifts and even clothes that are very inexpensive. Do your homework, buy a book about the city that includes a good subway map. Look for discounts online. Bring your walking shoes and a camera. Take

the Big Apple by storm! See more at www.observernewspaperonline.com.

NYC Photos:

FAO Schwarz

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Empire State Building

Freedom Tower (Ground Zero)

BSO dispatch received a call of a breaking and entering at 9:10 a.m. at 2201 Bay Drive in Pompano Beach. A deputy was injured trying to apprehend the suspect on Hillsboro Blvd. and A1A. It appears the suspect hit the deputy with his vehicle causing non life-threatening injuries. A SWAT team moved in on the suspect and removed him in front of hundreds of shocked by-standers

PBFR transported the deputy to Broward Health North.

The suspect is in custody.

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach Raiders coach Bobby Cooper took in stride his Pop Warner Tiny Mite team’s loss to host Delray Rocks.

The Rocks got touchdown runs of 50 and 32 yards from Jayden Parrish, a 43-yard TD run from Zandher Mesidort and a 50-yard scoring run from Courtney Brown to improve to 3-0 for the year. Deerfield fell to 1-2 with its second consecutive loss.

“That is a very good team right there and our kids have got nothing to be ashamed of,” said Cooper, who has been coaching youth football for the past eight years. He took over the Raiders just eight days before the season opener. “Our kids kept fighting to the end. They didn’t quit and I am really proud of them. They are right about where they should be, considering how young and inexperienced they are.”

The Tiny Mite Division is composed of players ages 5- 7, who weigh between 35 and 75 lbs. The majority of the players on the Raiders team are 13. There are three players who are 7 and one who is 6 years old.

By contrast, the undefeated Rocks have an experienced team.

“We have 15 returning players from last year’s team, so they have been doing really well,” said Delray Rocks coach Anthony Guy, who has been coaching for 12 years, including the past six with the Rocks. “The best thing about this process is seeing the work that they put in on the field before the season is paying off.”

Cooper agreed and said his team is looking to rebuild from the bottom weight class. They have three teams in the program ranging from the Tiny Mite program to the Midget Program.

“The hardest part about working with 13 5-year-olds, and you only got two who have ever played (football) before, is to have patience,”

Cooper added. “The key is to have a lot of patience. If you don’t have patience, you don’t need to be out here.” Cooper and his staff concentrate on the basics with his Treasure Coast-based Pop Warner program.

“We teach them about teamwork and we like to get the families involved, especially the fathers,” Cooper said. “We try and get the families to spend time with the kids. We are teaching them everything they need to know. It also isn’t about winning. We want them to learn important lessons and sports will do that.”

By Joe Malmuth

Photo Credit: Daniel Boczarski, Getty Images

What makes a good outdoor concert? Plenty of sunshine and cool breezy weather, lots of good food and drink, positive vibes from your fellow concert goers, and of course, good LIVE music. What happens if it’s rainy, hot, humid, and stagnant? What if your friends had to cancel last minute? What if you drop your first drink of the night all over yourself?

You experience one of the best concerts of your life!

I have always known that John Mayer is a great musician, songwriter and performer, but I was blown away at his ability to connect with his audience of roughly 14,000.

Mayer, traditionally pegged as a blues guitarist, has this uncanny ability to morph into this soulful, free spirited, leader of the new jam band culture that sprang up out of the wet, muddy lawn at Cruzan Amphitheater that sultry Sunday night [Sept. 8].

With his stage backdrop a scene from a starry night over a red-rock canyon, he made statements through his guitar that tugged everyone a little bit closer to the stage. Once you were hooked, he commented on how the air, thick with South Florida humidity, made him feel like we were all sharing the same substance of being, the same sub-atomic particles, the same existence.

Between his unifying, existential sermons, his music rose above the steamy night and helped everyone forget the miserable weather and lose themselves in that starry backdrop on the stage.

He and his band were perfect in every note. He continued to play this coy, cat-and-mouse game with the audience, pulling them in further and further, leaving them hoping to hear their favorite tune along with the fresh cuts from his newest record, Paradise Valley.

Every track blended seamlessly into the next, creating a symphony of good vibes for both beatnik and straight-laced concert-goers whom Mayer seems to cherish in an honest and open way.

Musicians in the crowd couldn’t help but feel like they had just wrapped up an intimate, open jam with an old friend as the evening drew to a close.

A satisfying quiet seemed to permeate the droves returning to their cars to leave; everyone sharing in the same understanding that for a few brief hours, we were all connected and it was a good thing.

Thanks for freezing time for a while, John!

By Becki Coffy

Hungry for a great burger? Have a hankering for a hot dog? Then be sure to stop by Gimme A Burger restaurant at 1200 E. Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. The easy access and ample parking make it a breeze to enjoy this restaurant. The first thing you notice when you enter is the bright white and orange (a nod to Syracuse) decor and how sparkling clean and neat everything is. Owners Yasmin and Serhad Oktay chose the color scheme, designed the interior and the menu and their daughter suggested the hungry wolf logo.

This family business offers more than just burgers. There is something for everyone. Of course the most popular item is the Hungry Wolf Burger, made with your choice of 12 free toppings or, for a small fee, you may select other toppings, such as caramelized onions, bacon, wasabi mayo, Tahini sauce and fried egg, to mention a few.

Gimme A Burger has delicious hand-cut french fries, sweet potato waffle fries and onion rings. I hate to admit it, but we tried all three and they were wonderful. The onion rings were light and crispy with real onion inside. French fries were served with the skin on – my favorite.

The menu offers burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, chicken, soups, salads, fish and falafel. We decided to break from tradition and started with their soups. My husband chose the chili that was made with just a hint of heat as the spoonful of thick, hearty soup slipped to the back of your throat. I chose their signature cheese burger soup, which was rich and creamy, filled with meat and topped with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes. It was not what I was expecting and a wonderful surprise. Both soups are made fresh in-house. We moved to course No.2 and my husband chose the most popular item on the menu: the Hungry Wolf Burger. So much for breaking from tradition! The burger was big, very juicy and full of flavor. All burgers are made from 100 percent certified prime black angus beef.

To shake things up a bit, they offer four other burger types. The Buffalo Burger is made from ground bison meat, the Wow Burger is primeblack angus beef mixed with spicy dried Turkish sausage, the Gobbler is a fresh ground turkey patty served with cranberry mayo and the Mediterranean Burger is fresh ground beef infused with onions, garlic parsley, herbs and spices.

I decided to take Yasmin’s recommendation and ordered her favorite, the ‘Wazzup Grilled Fish Sandwich.’ It was marinated in a blend of special herbs and spices to punch up the flavor of this flakey white fish, topped with lettuce and tomato and finished with a wasabi mayo to add just a little kick to the sandwich.

Also on the menu are hot dogs and chili dogs served on a grilled bun. There are crispy chicken tenders, a ground beef quesadilla, a grilled chicken sandwich and for the vegetarian they offer a ‘red, red vegan’ stuffed pita sandwich and falafel in a pita with tahini sauce.

Their signature salad comes with mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, dried cranberries, walnuts, chick peas and greek olives. Garden salads are also available. Chicken, a burger patty, falafel or grilled fish may be added.

For dessert, try the cinnamon sugar puffs. Add a scoop of ice cream if you wish or order one of their homemade milk shakes.

Gimme a Burger also serves breakfast from 7 to 11a.m. The ‘Cluck and Moo’ sandwich is an egg and cheese muffin served panini style. The ‘Howling Gobbler’ is made with an egg, cheese and turkey sausage. The Timber- Wolf, a sandwich made with a burger, American cheese, hash browns and a fried egg, will keep you full until dinner.

As for me, I’ll be trying the Snow Wolf Bizkitz on my next trip. These fried biscuits are served warm with powdered sugar and a side of cream cheese or mixed berry jam. Could that sound any more delicious?

Indoor and outdoor seating is offered and online ordering will be available soon. Menu available at www.gimmeaburger.com or call 954-708-2553 to place order in advance. Easy access, plenty of parking, great menu choices and friendly service make Gimme A Burger the new place to try. Stop by the next time you are out. Until we eat again..

By Gary Curreri

If Friday night’s contest was any indication, the third time could be the charm for Deerfield Beach football coach Allen Jackson.

Brandon Powell rushed for 144 yards, caught two passes for 40 yards and scored three touchdowns as host Deerfield Beach blanked Northeast, 37- 0 in the season opener for both teams.

Jackson went 3-6-1 in his first year with the program and failed to make the playoffs. The Bucks went 5-5 last year and fell to state runnerup Cypress Bay, 41-13, in the regional quarterfinal round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

“Last year helped a lot for the simple reason that we figured out what we had to do, and the kids bought into the weight room during the offseason, and we’re trying to get the team continuity back together,” Jackson said. “That told them they could play. They were able to do that and we were able to bring the core of the kids back, and I think that worked out well for us.”

Northeast (0-1) looked good on its opening drive as it took the opening kickoff and marched 44 yards to the Bucks’ 22, but lost the ball on downs when quarterback DeAngelo Fulford’s pass was incomplete. From then on, it was all Deerfield Beach.

Powell and Aeron McNeal each scored twice in the first half as the Bucks (1-0) scored on its first three possessions to grab a 21-0 lead.

“They are a great 1-2 punch,” said Jackson, whose team will face Blanche Ely this Saturday. “They got over 2,000 yards last year, and we are hoping they could duplicate that this year. We added a quarterback (Danarious Graham) this year and we have some receivers so we will be able to throw the ball a little bit more this year and it will take the pressure off them. The basis of our team is still running the ball.”

Powell, a University of Miami commit, bolted to a 67-yard TD run on the Bucks’ third play from scrimmage to give Deerfield Beach a 6-0 lead. McNeal capped a 5- play, 45-yard drive with a 1- yard plunge and Powell caught the 2-point conversion pass from Graham to make it 14-0.

Powell extended the lead to 21-0 with 10:09 remaining in the first half when he hauled in a 35-yard scoring toss from Graham. The Bucks picked up a safety and McNeal added a 12-yard scoring run to propel the Bucks to a 30-0 halftime cushion. Powell, who finished the game with 15 carries for 104 yards, added a 10-yard TD run in the third to push the lead to 37-0 and force a running clock. McNeal had 12 carries for 79 yards, while Graham threw for 110 yards and added another 40 yards on the ground.

The Bucks defense is led this season by defensive ends Tyler Sayles (FIU commit) and Jason Strowbridge, and a freshman linebacker in Emmit Bruton. Justin Morgan, Artez Levine, Vernon Thompson, James Pierre all have experience in the secondary.

“I am very excited about the season,” said Jackson, whose team graduated 15 players from last year’s team, including seven starters. “We set our goals high and the kids know this is it. We have to strive for it. I am realistic, and I know you need a lot of luck. You need a lot of things to go your way. If we stay away from injuries, stay healthy and the ball falls our way, I think wecan do pretty well.”

By Gary Curreri

Pompano Beach’s Maddie Cooper got a chance to kick start her travel soccer season along with about a dozen others as they took part in the Simply Soccer Four Fields Complex at Pompano Community Park recently.

Cooper, 11, and her two brothers, Jacob, 11, and Ryan, 7, spent the week refining their old soccer skills and learning new ones as part of the annual camp. The camp marked the seventh year that the city of Pompano has hosted the Simply Soccer camp for boys and girls ages 5-14, of all skill levels.

“This was a lot of fun,” said Cooper, who along with her twin brother, Jacob, play soccer for the Team Boca travel soccer club. “We learned some skills, scrimmaged and got to go the pool. I like coming to the camp.”

The day consisted of a group warm-up with all campers before they broke into groups based on age and skill levels. The first part of the day was learning a skill (dribbling, passing, receiving, heading/chipping, shooting) and then playing games or activities utilizing that particular skill.

After a short break for lunch and some time at the swimming pool, the campers were right back out for end-of-the day scrimmages.

“Friday is our World Cup tournament where we break the entire camp up into small teams (5v5) and play during the morning,” said Simply Soccer coach Jim Cappello. “At the end of the day, we gave players their evaluations and certificates. We try and make it as fun as possible so they learn and want to keep playing the sport.”