By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely basketball coach Melvin Randall promised his team could be special. It turns out he was right.

The Tigers won their eighth FHSAA championship and second Class 8A title in a row with a 57-52 victory over Bradenton Lakewood Ranch on Saturday at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. It marked the second consecutive game that Blanche Ely erased a double-digit deficit to pull out the win.

The Tigers (25-6) closed out the season on an 18-game winning streak since a 64-47 loss to Tampa Hillsborough in the Charger Classic two months ago at Suncoast High School.

Aderes Staton-McCray led the Tigers with 19 points and the win meant that the Tigers have won more state championships than any other school in Broward County. They were previously tied with Dillard at 7. Lamont Evans added 12 points and Malachi Hazelton chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds before fouling out.

Joshua Scott also became the first player in school history to win three championships, and he celebrated the moment with a T-shirt documenting his 2016, 2018 and 2019 titles. The front of the T-shirt had three photos of Scott with three championship rings superimposed over his body. The back of the shirt read: “The first to ever do it!”

“It’s really a blessing,” Scott said after the game. He finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds despite playing with foul trouble. “This one is more special, probably because I’m the first person at Blanche Ely to get three.”

Blanche Ely nearly didn’t make it there when they erased a 15-point halftime lead against Windermere in the semifinals to win 56-54. Hazelton had 14 points and 8 rebounds in the win, while Tyrecke Francois had 12 points in the win.

“Like I always say, it’s a blessing. I’m a very, very blessed man,” said Ely coach Melvin Randall, who has won seven of the Tigers’ eight titles. Wade Edmond won the other one in 1993.

“I know how hard I work,” added Randall, who also won titles at Deerfield Beach in 1997 and 1999. “I know how hard I work these kids, and they stepped [up] to the challenge. And they’re the ones that really, really deserve this moment.”

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line becomes home run sponsor

The Deerfield Beach-based Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has partnered with Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to offer a fan a chance at a two-night cruise during Miami Marlins Spring training games in addition to the Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals play their regular season at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium April through September.

“We are thrilled to bring the excitement of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to thousands of baseball fans at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium during both Major League Spring Training and the Minor League regular season,” said Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa. “This partnership solidifies our commitment to show locals and visitors everything Palm Beach County has to offer. You can go from a fun ball game to a quick getaway on a whim.”

Every time the home team hits a home run, the unmistakable Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line horn will sound, images of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s ships will display on the 35-foot Jumbotron and one lucky fan will have the chance to win a Bahamas Paradise cruise courtesy of the cruise line. 

“We are very excited to start a new partnership with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line,” said Mike Bauer, general manager of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. “They provide a first-class experience and we cannot wait to introduce our fans to their gorgeous ships and vacation packages.”

By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely boys basketball coach Melvin Randall never rebuilds, he just reloads.

He subscribes to that theory as the Tigers have won five of the past seven state championships. Last year, Blanche Ely romped Jacksonville Creekside 77-54 in the Class 8A final.

Before missing out on states in 2017, Ely had won four in five seasons, with 2014 the only year without a ring. The Tigers also won in 2007 and 1993.

Following a heart-breaking, 62-52 early-season loss to the defending Class 5A state champion, University School, Randall said games like that will prepare them for the postseason and tough games down the stretch.

“We fought well, but we made a lot of mistakes,” Randall said. “We did some good things, we just have to look at the film and reevaluate some of the things we did well and some of the things that cost us. I don’t believe in moral victories. I could care less about a moral victory. It is either win or lose.”

Blanche Ely led 18-14 after the first quarter, before University School outscored the Tigers 19-12 in the second to open up a 3-pont lead. The teams tied 14-14 in the third before University School outscored Blanche Ely 15-8 in the fourth quarter to pull out a 62-52 win.

Blanche Ely junior Aderes Staton-McCray had a team-high 17 points, while junior Tyrecke Francois added 12 points and five rebounds in the loss.

“I have to find a leader,” Randall said. “Although I have a person who has been here all four years and supposed to lead, I guess he wanted to play the childhood game of hide and go seek and he won. I couldn’t find him.”

Since that time, the Tigers (13-6) have started to roar winning five straight games, including victories over Pembroke Pines Charter, Plantation, Dillard, St. Thomas Aquinas and Western. The team is currently at 5-0 and leading the District 14-8A standings.

Randall said he is counting on Joshua Scott to spearhead of the group. He also cited Francois, junior Lamont Evans and Malachi Hazelton.

“There are quite a few,” added Randall, whose team graduated six players from last year’s team – including four starters. “We are young, but we still have a little talent. We just have to get on the same accord. We are going to reload and we are going to be alright. We are going to be better than alright. Trust me.”

Registration begins for women in distress tourney

Registration for the 7th annual Women in Distress golf tournament has begun and will continue until the maximum field of 32 teams are complete.

Once again, the Colony West Women’s Golf Group will be producing the tournament, which will be on March 21, however, the tournament will be held at Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course this year because of construction at the Colony West Golf Club.

“Because the (clubhouse) building is demolished so we could not have a luncheon after golf,” said Jan Parke, tournament chair. “We will play the tournament at Pompano Beach and eat at Galuppi’s Restaurant which is at the golf course.

For more information, details or the registration form, e-mail janparke@bellsouth.net or the registration chair, Geri Thomas, at gthomas6116@gmail.com.

By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely High School quarterback Noel Wilson said events like the recent Miami Dolphins 7-on-7 tournament are crucial to the Tigers’ success in the fall.

“It is really important because we are out here getting the experience,” said the 15-year-old who lives in Pompano Beach, who will be a sophomore in the fall. “I love the experience of playing football. This will showcase my talent.”

Wilson was on the junior varsity last year and hopes to make the varsity team this season. Events like the 7-on7s will get him that experience by getting the repetitions with the skill position players. Playing against some of the top teams in the Tri-County area, Blanche Ely reached the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“Our main (team) goal is to win the state championship,” Wilson said. “These events are also important because you always want to be the best. These tournaments will show you the things you need to work on.”

Blanche Ely’s Nick Ricks, who coaches the linebackers on the varsity team, said the Tigers have a mix of older and younger players so they put two teams in the tournament.

“Sometimes, when you go to 7-on-7s, the young guys don’t get a chance to play,” Ricks said. “The older guys want to play because they have already put in the work. I think it was a good idea by (new head coach Calvin) Davis to enter two teams so the young guys can get some experience. Obviously, it paid off.

“These events build confidence and camaraderie,” Ricks added. “We take most of the skill guys. Since it is the summer, some guys are away, but we bring the guys who are committed. We even have some kids who are going into the ninth grade and haven’t experienced anything like this and they didn’t even look shell-shocked. Those are the kind of things we were looking for.”

For the 10th consecutive year, the Miami Dolphins hosted the three-day event, which also consisted of a life skills symposium at Hard Rock Stadium that preceded the tourney. The symposium focused on character development, practical life lessons and specific skill training.

The event was followed by two days of 7-on-7 action on the gridiron at Plantation’s Central Park. There were 44 high school teams from the Tri-County area and an additional 23 teams that also competed in the youth tournament, which consisted of three age groups (10U, 12U and 14U).

Palmer released from hospital

Deerfield Beach High School cornerback Demetrius Palmer was back at practice this week after being released from Broward Health Medical Center last Wednesday.

Palmer, who will be a senior in the fall, was injured in a car accident on May 28 that killed teammate T.J. Bradley. He hasn’t participated in the offseason conditioning workouts and said he is a few weeks way from returning to the field.

He has a doctor’s appointment coming up to determine if his dislocated shoulder from the accident needs surgery. He also had injuries to his left arm, his face and head were scraped up when he slid 65 ft. into a pole.

Bradley’s mother had rented a red 2017 Corvette for an after-prom party and the 19-year-old teen reportedly lost control under wet conditions on State Road 7 north of Sunrise Boulevard. The car hit a curb and flipped several times and ejected both teens. Palmer was in a coma for eight days after the accident, according to Bucks coach Jevon Glenn.

By Gary Curreri

Always looking for a challenge, Coral Springs’ Calvin Davis believes he has found one as he was recently named the new football coach at Blanche Ely.

“This is a great opportunity to lead a very good storied program,” said the 38-year-old Davis. “They have a rich tradition, so they always have great athletes.”

Davis, who most recently worked as offensive coordinator at Deerfield Beach, led nearby Monarch High to a 26-8 record with two playoff appearances and a district title during his three years with the Knights.

“We are going to try to implement some of the same things we did at Monarch,” Davis said. “We will run a fast tempo offense. We will have a flying around, aggressive defense. We just want to score a lot of points and we want to do it fast.”

“We will probably run a no-huddle, spread offense,” Davis continued. “We are going to try and score as fast as we can.”

Davis was at his alma mater Deerfield Beach the past two years as offensive coordinator where he helped lead the Bucks to district titles under coach Jevon Glenn. Deerfield Beach reached its first state semifinal since 2007 last season.

Davis succeeds Carl Wilburn, who was in the job less than a year after the Tigers went 3-6 and missed the playoffs for the third time since 1999. Nakia Jenkins coached Blanche Ely’s football team for two years before stepping down after the 2015 season, when the Tigers went 2-9 but still made the playoffs.

“The school and I had a meeting a couple of weeks ago,” Davis said. “It was a mutual interest and I think both parties understood what they were looking for. Ely wanted to get back to prominence, and I was just looking for a better situation.”

“They have always had great players, so you know what you are getting into,” Davis added. “It is all about changing the culture there and getting the athletes to stay there and not leave.”

He is looking forward to working with the community and knows the task will be difficult because of the high expectations that come with the territory.

“We are going to embrace the community and winning helps a lot,” Davis said. “We are going to invite the community in to see how we are doing things so they are comfortable.”

Davis becomes the Tigers’ ninth coach in 14 seasons since Steve Davis (no relation) left the program in 2003 – one year after guiding Blanche Ely to its first and only state title in 2002. Calvin Davis said he is always open to college coaching opportunities. However, he said the Ely job was one he couldn’t pass up. Davis is a history teacher and is well aware of the history at the school.

“I think if I go in and do the things the right way, the kids will come back,” Davis said. “We want them to come back home and play for their community.”

His first head-coaching experience came at the now-defunct Zion Lutheran School in Deerfield Beach where he went 8-2 and 7-3. He also served as offensive coordinator at Coconut Creek, Ft. Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach High School.

Davis said he is a better coach than when he started at Zion Lutheran.

“You can’t beat experience, and that taught me a lot,” Davis said. “It taught me a lot about coaching. It taught me about interacting with administration and parents. I think I learned a lot from the first opportunity and used that the second time.”

Davis, who begins practice on April 24, returns eight players on defense and two to three on offense. They will play in a three-team district that also includes St. Thomas Aquinas and Ft. Lauderdale.

“We respect every opponent and we fear no one,” Davis said. “We like our chances. I guarantee we make the playoffs this year and, if everyone buys into what we are trying to do, we can go pretty far.”

Pro-Beach Soccer Returns

The 2nd annual Beach Soccer Tournament is returning to Pompano Beach on April 1-2.

The South Florida Youth Soccer Association continues to offer the event to promote the sport of beach soccer to its members and all those wanting to participate. Registration is available at http://proambeachsoccer.bonzidev.com/home.php.

For more information, email info@proambeachsoccer.net or call 415-308-0603.

By Gary Curreri

There will be no state championship three-peat for the Blanche Ely boys’ basketball team this season.

Palm Beach Lakes’ Daiquan Wyatt saw to it as he banked in a layup with just six seconds remaining to give the Rams (23-3) a 64-62 victory over the host Tigers in the Region 4-8A semifinal on Tuesday night.

Blanche Ely guard Mike Forrest missed a desperation three-point heave from just inside half-court at the buzzer setting off a wild celebration for the Rams and ended the Tigers bid for a sixth state championship under coach Melvin Randall.

It marked the second consecutive time that the Tigers (25-7) were stymied in the regional semifinals in a quest for a third straight state championship. After winning back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013, the Tigers fell to Boyd Anderson, 61-54. They also lost 70-57 in the regional semifinals to Dwyer in 2010.

Blanche Ely defeated Dwyer in the regional semifinal 75-56 in 2015 and again in last year’s regional quarterfinal, 57-52, en route to winning back-to-back Class 7A state titles.

Wyatt and Tyrese Mapp each scored 19 points for the Rams in the victory, while Lavorris Givins added 18.

“We’re just glad to stay alive,” said Palm Beach Lakes coach Lorenzo Hands following the contest. “[Blanche Ely] is a great team, well-coached. They’ve set the bar the past couple of years and that means we’re heading in the right direction, but we still have a way to go.”

Palm Beach Lakes carried a 32-30 lead into the locker room at the intermission and then flexed its muscle in the third period to start to pull away as it opened an eight-point, 54-46 lead and eventually carried a 6-point lead into the final quarter.

Blanche Ely, which faced a similar deficit in a regional quarterfinal win over Dwyer in overtime, were able to take a 58-56 lead with 2:27 remaining in the game when Joshua Scott converted two free throws. Forrest scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and Geremy Taylor delivered two free throws with 35.8 seconds remaining to knot the game at 62.

“We got off to a bad start,” Taylor said. “We came back from six points down in the fourth quarter. Mike (Forrest) hit a couple threes but we couldn’t pull it through. This is very disappointing.”

Jordan Strowbridge had a team-high 16 points for the Tigers, while Taylor and Forrest each finished 13 points.

By Gary Curreri

Blanche Ely and Highlands Christian Academy raced to their respective regional track championships last week.

For Highlands Christian, it was the first regional track championship in school history, and, defeated defending state champion Westminster Academy. The Knights boys and girls teams will send 15 state qualifiers in 20 events.

Highlands Christian’s Ryan Szklany was a double winner as he captured the 1,600 (4:31.23) and 3,200-meter runs (10:04.18) in the Region 4-1A meet. Highlands Boys placed first with 113 points over defending state champs Westminster Academy, who finished at 88.

Highlands Christian runners that placed second included Hunter Walton (800), Delimar Martina (high jump), Scott Bush (pole vault), Chris Julien (100). Placing third for Highlands was Kenny Armstrong (shot put and discus) and Jake Petersen (110 and 300 hurdles).

On the girls’ side, Sara Carroll won four events (high jump, triple jump, 100 and 300 hurdles). Abby Simpson placed third in the 300 hurdles, while Sydney Blackburn placed third in both the shot and the discus. Highlands girls placed third (72 points) behind South Florida Heat (133 points) and Westminster Christian School (Miami) (98.5 points).

“I am very proud of both the boys and the girls,” said Highlands Christian coach Jarod Ebenhack. “We knew at the end of last year that our boys would be as strong if not stronger than Westminster coming into the season, but we also knew that the athletes at Westminster are seasoned competitors and champions who would not be easy to beat.

“We conditioned hard all year long to make this a reality and we faced some adversity,” added Ebenhack, who lost their top 400-meter runner, Steven Ludwig, to a collapsed lung, and then Elijah Kerr to a broken foot the weekend before regionals. “Those two represented a large amount of points to our team. The team took on the challenge of filling the holes left by the loss of these two senior leaders. Our field events, in particular, rose to the challenge, and scored more points than I was expecting.”

Host Blanche Ely ran away with the boys’ crown in the Region 4-3A meet as it finished with 118-1/2 points. The Tigers’ boys’ 4×800-meter relay set the tone early, as Sueil Foucha, James Walker, Syvenson Noel and Roderic Wilson ran an 8:02.11.

“I’ve got a lot of 12th-graders that really worked hard to get to this point,” said Blanche Ely coach Anthony Jordan. “Last year a few that got to state, they got to state and didn’t do anything. This year they are focused on winning it.”

Blanche Ely senior Jacee Simon won the high jump with a leap of 6 ft., 6 in., while University of Cincinnati football signee, senior Thomas Geddis, won the 200 in 21.54. Ely senior Arthur Forrest placed second in the 100 with a time of 10.88, while Wilson also took second in the 800 (1:56.57).

The top four competitors in each event qualified for the state meet, set for May 6-7 at IMG Academy in Bradenton.

By Gary Curreri

With 20 returning seniors from last season, it wasn’t the season that Blanche Ely High School football coach Nakia Jenkins had hoped for; so, after careful thought, he told his players and administrators last week that he was resigning.

Jenkins, who finished 2-9 this season and 8-14 in two seasons as the Tigers head coach, did manage to reach the playoffs in both seasons. The Tigers lost to Atlantic, 21-13, in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs last year and Dwyer, 16-14, this season.

“I think it’s best for myself and the community that I move in another direction,” Jenkins said. “I think it’s best for my family and health to step away from the game of football.”

Ridley decides

Cavin Ridley is going from being a Buck to a Bulldog.

The Deerfield Beach High School senior receiver decided on the University of Georgia, surprising many who thought he would go to the University of Alabama, where he would join his older brother, Calvin, a freshman receiver and major contributor on the national championship squad.

“This was by far the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life,” Ridley wrote on Twitter. “As you all have seen, I have really struggled to choose between some amazing universities with outstanding football programs. I took a step back to go over my recruiting options and take an in-depth second look at all the schools on my final list.”

The four-star recruit is regarded as one of the top skilled players in the country and briefly committed to South Carolina before switching to Georgia two days later. Ridley helped the Bucks win the District 11-8A title this past season. Deerfield Beach fell to the eventual state champion, Flanagan, 17-0, in the Class 8A Regional championship contest.

Local cheer teams qualify for state

Several local high school cheerleading teams are headed to the Florida High School Athletic Association state finals following their recent performances in the Region 4 tournament at Dillard High School.

Blanche Ely had the highest finish of the local teams as it placed 6th in the Large Non-Tumbling Division, while Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach placed 12th and 13th , respectively, in the Small Non-Tumbling Division at the competition. The three teams all scored at least 60 points and are headed to the state semifinals.

The Small Non-Tumbling, Small Varsity, Medium Varsity competitions will be held on Friday, Jan. 29, while the Large Non-Tumbling, Large Varsity, Extra Large Varsity, Small Co-Ed and Large Co-Ed competitions are on Saturday, Jan 30.

Beach soccer tourney slated

The South Florida United Youth Soccer League will host its inaugural SFUYSA Beach Soccer Tourney on March 12-13 on Pompano Beach.

The tournament, which is coordinated by Pro-Am Beach Soccer, will feature all divisions and age groups from youth to men, women and co-ed.

The tournament format will consist of Micro Soccer, 4v4 (4 field players, no goalie and small goals will be used); the Under-9 division plays 6v6 (5 field players, one goalie), while all other divisions play 5v5 (4 field players, one goalie).

The first place will receive a team trophy and player medals, while second place teams will receive player medals.

For more information, call 415-308-0603.

By Gary Curreri

Even though the Deerfield Beach High School football team came up short in its game on Friday night against visiting Jacksonville Bolles, Bucks quarterback Teddrick Moffett was the big winner earlier in the week when he was presented with a very large check.

Moffett and Blanche Ely High School linebacker David Francis were each awarded $1,000 scholarships from the McDougle Family Foundation. The two players were recognized as MVPs of the rain-shortened McDougle Bowl held in honor of the McDougle Brothers on Sept. 12.

Stockar McDougle (1996 Deerfield Beach grad) and Jerome McDougle (1997 Blanche Ely grad) were on hand for the second annual McDougle Bowl game. Stockar McDougle went on to play college football at the University of Oklahoma, while Jerome McDougle played at the University of Miami. Both brothers went on to play in the NFL.

The scholarships were handed out during a pep rally at Deerfield Beach. Moffett accounted for four scores, while Francis had an interception and fumble recovery.

The mission of the McDougle Family Foundation and Firstability Program is to encourage teens to stay focused on their education and provide at-risk students with support during those crisis moments.

Jerome McDougle said the game and the Foundation help start the students off with the tools necessary to succeed. Jerome McDougle, who played with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants from 2003-2008, said the game has its place.

“The McDougle Bowl is super important because it’s about two guys coming back to the community to show the kids there are many ways to make it to the next level,” he said. “You get through the front door and achieve success through academics.”

“This is awesome,” he continued. “It is great for me and my brother to come back to one of the greatest rivalries in Broward County and we were a part of it. Both teams have had players go and play in the National Football League so it is good for us to come back.”

Stockar McDougle, who played with the Detroit Lions from 2000-04 and the Miami Dolphins in 2005 before finishing his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2006-07, called it cool for him and his brother to give back to the community. He is the only one from his family that didn’t attend Blanche Ely because of unusual boundaries during his high school tenure.

“This is all about pouring more resources into the community,” Stockar said. “We have a lot of athletes who have come out of these two programs and who have gone on and done great things.”

Deerfield Beach coach Jevon Glenn said the game has taken off and is glad the McDougle brothers are invested.

“It has gotten bigger and actually better,” said Glenn, who played in the game in 1995-96. “Especially with the McDougles coming on board and doing everything leading up to the game. I am very pleased and proud of the growth that the game has had over the 20 years.”

Class 4A power Jacksonville Bolles (5-0) scored 26 unanswered points in the second half to carve out a 33-15 victory over the Bucks (3-1) in a battle of unbeaten teams. Moffett once again was the star as he scored on runs of 97 and 46 yards to account for both Bucks’ touchdowns.

By Gary Curreri

Both the stadium and the host football team suffered from a power outage, and, in the end, Deerfield Beach prevailed 30-12 over host Blanche Ely in the second annual McDougle Bowl last Saturday night.

Deerfield Beach struck early and often, and, ultimately, a power outage ended the contest with 3:25 remaining in the third quarter with the Bucks winning the contest. The second annual McDougle Bowl game was presented by brothers Jerome McDougle (1997 Ely grad) and Stockar McDougle (1996 Deerfield Beach grad) who both went on to play in the NFL.

Deerfield Beach coach Jevon Glenn said it is was a big game for the program.

“This is huge,” Glenn said. “It is a big rivalry game between the Pompano and Deerfield Beach communities. I played in this game (1995-96) so I know the electricity in this game and I want to make sure the kids know the importance of it. You can throw the records out of the window. Throw the wins and losses out the window. It is time to battle.”

“It has gotten bigger and actually better,” Glenn said. “Especially with the McDougles coming on board and doing everything leading up to the game. I am very pleased and proud of the growth that the game has had over the [past] 20 years.”

Deerfield Beach (2-0) struck as quickly as the lightning in the area that prompted the game to be delayed for one hour and 40-minutes. The game then endured a 20-minute power outage at 10:45 p.m. before officials called the game.

Bucks senior quarterback Teddrick Moffett, who transferred from Blanche Ely prior to the season, engineered three scores in the game’s first 6:25 as he threw for two scores and ran for another. Moffett finished the game with three TD passes and one running score.

Moffett hit Jerry Jeudy on a screen play on the first play from scrimmage that covered 62 yards and gave Deerfield Beach a 7-0 lead. The pair connected again on the next series on a 9-yard scoring play for a 14-0 lead and Moffett drove his team 60 yards in nine plays and capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring run and a 21-0 lead with 5:25 remaining in the first quarter.

Blanche Ely (0-3) was able to trim the lead to 21-6 following a fumble recovery by David Francis on the Bucks’ 25-yard line. Arthur Forrest capped the 5-play drive when he bulled in from three yards out with 8:25 remaining in the second quarter. Francis later added an interception for the host Tigers.

The Bucks closed out the first half scoring with Alton Allen hauling in a 23-yard scoring pass from Moffett on the final play of the first half for a 27-6 advantage.

Jefferson Souza booted a 23-yard field goal to make it 30-6 with 10:54 left in the third quarter and Blanche Ely took the ensuing kickoff and marched 88 yards in 17 plays to trim the lead to 30-12 on a 7-yard scoring pass from Perdue to Jeremy Taylor with 4:54 left in the third quarter.

Less than two minutes later, the lights went out rendering the stadium pitch black and after a 20-minute delay, officials called the contest.

Blanche Ely entered the contest 3-7 lifetime against the visiting Bucks.

Blanche Ely lost the first four meetings and the last three games sandwiched in between three victories from 2009-11. Deerfield won 14-12, 46-6 and 19-0 the past three years. The Tigers won 28-10, 37-0 and 34-16. Deerfield Beach won the first four matchups 36-27 (2004), 28-6 (2006), 20-2 (2007) and 21-14 (2008)

Glenn said the team didn’t go into the game overconfident.

“Nobody is more desperate than us,” Glenn said. “We went 4-6 last year. We are hungry. We will never walk into a game where somebody wants to beat us more than we want to beat them. That’s the mentality of our program.”

Blanche Ely coach Nakia Jenkins had guaranteed a victory before the game. He said the team made some coaching changes during the week, and Jenkins said he took over play calling duties.

“We just had a couple of bad breaks and the kids are ready,” Jenkins said. “We made a couple of coaching changes and I am back to calling plays.”

Jenkins said things hadn’t gone the way he thought they would despite a senior-laden team entering the year.

“Speaking for myself,” Jenkins said. “I think I got away from it. I wasn’t putting both hands in it like I should have. I think my kids started drifting and not focused like they should of. I am the leadership. It starts with me. I think if they see me take it more serious, then they do the same.”

For more information on what the McDougle brothers do in the community, visit their website at http://firstability.org/#first-ability.

By Gary Curreri

With 20 senior players returning from last year’s squad, Blanche Ely football coach Nakia Jenkins believes that his team will fix last year’s late-game woes.

Jenkins, in his second season at the helm of the Tigers football team, said his team has a wealth of experience.

“Last year, we had a lot of talent, but we were young,” said Jenkins, whose team finished 6-4 with three losses in the closing moments of games. “We are returning about 20 seniors this year that played last year so we are really senior heavy this year with a lot of experience. That should be our plus this year. We should know how to finish ball games.”

The Tigers reached the first round of the FHSAA Class 7A state playoffs where it fell to visiting Atlantic, 21-13, in the closing moments, much like two other losses during the season to Miami Northwestern (23-20) and Plantation (31-23).

“Last year, we lost three games in the last minute and a half that we were winning,” Jenkins said. “We should have easily been 9-1 last year instead of 6-4.”

“It still stings,” Jenkins added. “It is going to sting probably until our first regular season game. We have about 15-20 players who contributed last year and helped us out.”

Jenkins will need to get some rapid growth from an inexperienced offensive line; however, they will have three strong running backs to run behind them, including Arthur Forest, Demeterice Bellamy and Robert Williams. Quarterback Zackery Purdue also returns and has talented wide out Thomas Geddis to throw to.

“The offense is going to be loaded,” Jenkins said. “A couple of other wide receivers who are going to help us are Jeremy Taylor and Leonard Williams.”

Defensively, look for senior David Francis to lead the way.

“He’s a leader, captain and three-year starter,” Jenkins said. “He knows where everybody should be.”

Purdue is looking forward to the season.

“This year, I am more confident,” he said. “Last year, I didn’t really read my coverages and go through my progressions. This year, we are loaded with seniors and we are going to be a better team.”

Bellamy, 17, a senior in his fourth year at the school, said he’s excited for the season.

“I have to prove a lot of people wrong,” said the 5-ft., 6-in., 165 lb. running back. “They underestimate me. They say I am too small and not fast enough, and not strong enough. I have been doing two-a-days, and sometimes three times on weekends.”

The 18-year-old Geddis agreed and said the seniors could make the difference.

“We have a lot of guys who are going to go out there and compete and go hard, and are very experienced,” Geddis said. “Being seniors, it makes you want to go harder. Our coach says you only got one game and you have to take every game like it is your last high school game.”

Geddis, who received 18 college offers during the spring, said last year’s tight losses were frustrating and they will look to change that this season.

“You don’t have the time to come back and redo the mistakes you made,” Geddis said. “You have to go 110 (percent) on every play and just know that you are putting everything on the line.”

Jenkins said the team would have to fight through adversity.

“What I am teaching my guys now is football in four quarters,” Jenkins said. “It is not three quarters and we have to finish until the last whistle blows. That is the one thing that we are teaching day in and day out. It is fighting to the last whistle. If we do that this year, we should be in the thick of things this year.”