By Gary Curreri

For first-year Deerfield Beach Bisons cheerleader Dajae Nash, competing in the American Youth Football League annual cheerleading competition at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, was an enjoyable experience.

She was a member of the Junior Prep (Ages 11-Under) Small Division and one of 60 routines that performed in the large competition in front of an estimated crowd of more than 2,000 people.

“It’s fun,” said Nash, 10, who lives in Pompano and is a fourth-grader at Tedder Elementary School. “There is a lot of stuff you have to learn. The music that we have is really good. This is a really big competition, so you get nervous. I wasn’t nervous though. I just believe in God.”

“Cheerleading is hard,” Nash added. “It takes a lot of time to learn the routines and get them right. The first time you are never going to get them right. It is going to take time for the kids to learn to get them right.”

Bisons teammate Amiyah Ashley, who like Nash is a flier, wasn’t in awe of the more than 2,000 in attendance at the competition.

“I like the cheers, the songs and competing,” said Ashley, 10, of Deerfield Beach, who is a fifth-grader at Deerfield Park Elementary School. “I get nervous (sometimes). I think about what I have to do.”

Deerfield Bisons cheerleading coach Kenya McDowell brought nine girls with her for the 11-Under competition, which received a participation award in the Junior Prep category.

“This is very cool,” McDowell said. “For three of them, it is their first experience and the other ones performed here before. It’s exciting.”

The Deerfield Bisons placed second in the Youth Prep (Ages 9-Under) Medium Division and third in the Pee Wees (Ages 8-Under) Small Division.

Pompano Eagles Senior (13-Under) Division cheerleader Gianna Mercado has been competing for the past four years in the sport.

“I like that it is very active, and it is something to do,” said Mercado, 12, of Pompano, is a seventh-grader at Somerset Key Academy. “The competition is the best part. You get very nervous, but you just push through it and just do it.”

The Eagles had a slight mishap midway through the routine, but they persevered. The Eagles took second in the Senior (Ages 13-Under) Medium Division.

“You just have confidence in yourself and know that you can do it the next time,” she said. “It was amazing. It was worth it. We put a lot of effort into it.”

Mercado said she hopes to cheer in college and said the setting at the UM campus validated it.

“For sure,” she said. “I have good experience and I have the ability. I believe I can do it in college. It would be awesome.”

Michele Longerbeam, who presides over the American Youth Football League cheerleading program, said there were more than 800 participants in the competition at the University of Miami.

“We have mini competitions throughout the season to get ready for the big one and this is the Super Bowl for cheerleaders,” said Longerbeam, who noted all 13 programs in the AYFL competed and there were a total of 60 routines that were evaluated by a panel of judges.

Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association results

The Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association closed out the year with several competitions.

On Dec. 19, they held an individual play tournament with awards for Low Gross and Low Net in Classes. In the Class A Division, Roy Wilhoite shot an 82 to win the Low Gross honors. Tom Pawelczyk shot a 67 to win the Low Net honors, while Bill O’Brien shot a 71 to take second, after a match of cards.

Oscar Aleman carded an 85 to win the Low Gross for the Class B Division. In the Low Net Division, Jerry Goodman and Bob Schurr each shot 67s.however, Goodman won on a match of cards to win.

In the Class C Division, Jim Dunn won the Low Gross title with a 93. Jim Foster won the Low Net Division with a 74 and won on a match of cards. Robert Raser was second with a 74.

Bob Mascatello carded a 93 to win the Class D Low Gross title. In the Low Net competition, Brian Nixon recorded a 67 to take first place, while Joel Englander was two shots back in second with a 69.

Roy Wilhoite won the closest to the pin on the third hole when his tee shot stuck at 4-feet, 2-inches.

In the Scramble alternate shot on Dec. 12, the team of John Arrigo, Patrick McClain and Pete Strychowskyj shot a 65 to take first place, while Robert Blau, Frank Cutrone, and Mike Marruquin, and Roe Messner shot a 69 and won on a match of scorecards. The team of Jim Dunn, Tim O’Brien, Bob VanZandt and Neil Wilson were second.

There were two winners of the closest to the pin: (Hole No. 7): Jim Greeley and (Hole No. 15): Gary Gill. The winner of the longest putt on the 18th hole was Roy Wilhoite and Dennis Sejda was the closest to the line on the 9th hole.

Deerfield Beach

Dec. 26: It was reported that 103 cell phones were electronically purchased by Duckfish Electronics, Inc. from Reagan Wireless at 720 S. Powerline Rd. When the checks were presented at the victim’s bank, all three were returned as having insufficient funds to cover the purchases.

Dec. 26: A woman who is a resident of Century Village reported a stolen fraudulent check in the amount of $5,500. The incident was reported at 1030 Lyndhurst J.

Dec. 26: It was reported that a woman stole various items from Bath & Body Works at 3688 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Dec. 27: A man reported a bicycle stolen from in front of a mobile home at 875 NE 48 St.

Dec. 27: A woman reported that a customer’s boat being stored at A1 Storage at 1615 SW 45 Way was broken into and a GPS valued at $1,000 was stolen.

Lighthouse Point

Dec. 21: Police responded to an alarm sounding at a rear laundry room of a residence at 2411 NE 45 St. Police responded, but were unable to gain access because the side gate was locked.

Dec. 21: Police responded to an audible alarm going off at 4420 NE 23 Ave. Police found the residence was secure.

Dec. 21: A small dog was discovered behind a residence at 2743 NE 28 Ct. A resident who lives two doors down said it was his.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Deerfield Beach

Dec. 18: A man was arrested and charged with possession of illegal narcotics at 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. in the parking lot of Target. He had MDMA and heroin in his possession.

Dec. 18: A man reported that his van that was parked at 750 Lock Rd. was broken into and a wet tile saw valued at $900 and other miscellaneous tools were stolen.

Dec. 18: A man was arrested and charged with grand theft at Home Depot at 60 SW 12 Ave. The man stole $781 worth of electrical wire from there.

Dec. 18: It was reported that two wheels were stolen from a vehicle parked at Owen Business Systems at 409 Goolsby Blvd.

Dec. 18: A woman was sitting in the driver’s seat of her car parked at 1060 SW 5 Terr. She reported that a man snatched $1,000 from her hand and ran off.

Dec. 24: A man reported his vehicle stolen from 601 NW 42 Ct.

Lighthouse Point

Dec. 14: A resident called police and said there was a loose dog on the second floor of an apartment complex at 4200 NE 22 Ave. Police arrived but they were unable to locate the dog and residents walking outside the complex said they did not see anything.

Dec. 20: The manager said a male subject entered the restaurant at 3784 N. Federal Hwy. and caused a disturbance. Police arrived and were told the subject left and he was found at another nearby store. He was told he was being trespassed from the restaurant.

Dec. 21: Police responded to 4200 NE 22 Ave. in reference to a call of a reckless driver in the area. The driver was reportedly driving fast and peeling out. Police circulated the area and was unable to locate the vehicle.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Deerfield Beach

Dec. 11: A man reported that he parked his F150 overnight at 351 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The next morning, he found that it had been stolen.

Dec. 11: It was reported that someone smashed the front door of Sabores Brasil Restaurant at 4831 N. Dixie Hwy. The person then stole $1,800 in cash from the register. It was estimated that $1,000 damage had been done to the door.

Dec. 11: A man reported that someone broke into his vehicle parked at 438 Durham O and stole two GPS devices, prescription medications and cash. A man then came to the scene and said he believes his son stole the items because he found the property in his son’s room.

Dec. 11: A man reported that his bicycle was stolen from 875 NE 48 St.

Dec. 11: A man reported that someone entered his backyard at 265 NE 45 St. and stole $800 worth of golf clubs and a golf bag.

Lighthouse Point

Dec. 13: A resident discovered a backpack in her backyard at 4800 NE 27 Terr. She believes it may belong to the suspect who broke into her van the night before.

Dec. 13: Police responded to a call of an alarm at 4400 NE 25 Ave. The point of entry was the garage. When police responded, they met with the owner who stated everything was okay.

Dec. 13: A resident found a tan dog running loose in the neighborhood at 2260 NE 38 St. The dog was found and returned to the owner.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

By Gary Curreri

The Deerfield Beach Bisons 13-Under team made program history as it reached the American Youth Football League Super Bowl at PAL Field in Plantation. The Bisons finished the regular season with an 8-2 mark and defeated the previously undefeated Colts, from Cooper City/Davie, 33-20 in the second round of the playoffs to advance to the title game where they fell to host Plantation, 22-6. The winning Wildcats wound up the year at 13-0.

Deerfield Beach’s D’mitre Nazaire scored the lone touchdown for the Bisons that cut the deficit to 14-6 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Plantation added a late score to put the title game away.

The Bisons’ victory over the Colts avenged a 24-14 setback in Week 11, while the other setback during the season for the Bisons came in week three when they lost 28-0 to Plantation. Deerfield Beach opened the playoffs with a 33-6 win over Coral Springs and then topped the Colts.

“We accomplished a lot of great things during the season,” said Deerfield Beach coach Corey Collins, whose team traveled to Atlanta for a preseason tournament and reached the Super Bowl in just the third year that Deerfield Beach has been a member of the AYFL. “It was a bitter defeat at the end, but I am proud of the boys and what we were able to do during the season.”

Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association

The Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association is in its 63rdyear and once again staged several outstanding golf outings in the past few weeks.

Sandra Gore took first place in the Low Net in Classes tournament on Dec. 4 when she shot a 71 and won tiebreaker over Nancy Rack for the A Flight Division honors. Janet Stuart cruised to the B Flight title when she carded a 67 to top runner-up Deb Ladig, who shot 73.

In the C-Flight Division, Vonnie Okeefe shot a 71 to win over Phyllis Maillet (75), while Alberta Bove shot 66 to win the D-Flight by two strokes over Ellie Depasquale.

The women played a Scramble event on Nov. 27 with Mimi Denoma, Ann Symonds and Darlene Sesto taking top honors with a 70, while Deb Brown, Phyllis Maillet, Lynn Goodman and Anita Macmichael carded a 73 to finish three strokes back in second place.

The previous week, in the Class Team Battle, capturing the top honors with a 71.75 were Janet Tomchik, Deann Baumann, Sue Bardhi, Janet Stuart (B Flight), while finishing in second were the C Flight group of Ann Symonds, Lori Tarmey, Liette Brabant, Wiltrud Messinger, Vonnie Okeefe, Lynn Goodman (72.50).

Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association

The Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association held their Partners AB and CD – One Best Ball tournament on the Pines Course on Nov. 21.

Winning the Partners Classes A&B Flight with a net score of 57 was Chuck Brown and Neil Wilson. One shot back at 58 were Gary Gill and Bill Hadersbeck, while Andy Burt and Pete Strychowskyj shot 59 to finish third.

Winning the Partners Classes C&D Flight were Don Worrell and Gene Stoller with a 60. Jerry Goodman and Tim O’Brien shot a 63 and won the tiebreaker on the back nine with a 31, while Jim Blake and Willie Smith also shot a 63 and had a 32 on the back nine.

Terry Denoma hit his shot on the Par-3, 15th hole 6 ft., 4 in. from the cup to take closest to the pin honors in the field of 38 players.

The Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association also held an Individual Play on Nov. 28 on the Pines Course. It featured Low Gross and Low Net in Classes and Bob VanZandt carded an 82 to take Low Gross honors in the A Class. For Low Net honors in the A Class Division, Jacques Patry shot a 69 to take the top honors, while George Disch shot a 70 to finish second.

In the Class B Division, Jim Muschany carded an 89 to win Low Gross honors, while Jim DeCicco shot a 69 to take first place, while Bob Schurr carded a 70 to finish second. Bart Valerio shot 93 to win the Class C Low Gross title, while Don Worrell shot 75 to win Low Net in the division and Dennis Rooy shot 76 and won in a tiebreaker to finish third.

Scott Feinman won the Class D Division Low Gross title with a 94. Brian Nixon (68) and Paul Murphy (70) were first and second respectively in the Low Net standings.

Al DiBenedetto bested the 43-player field by winning the Closest to the Pin contest on the 15th hole.

The Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association followed that tournament up with a Two Best Ball of Foursome event on Dec. 5.

The team of Al DiBenedetto, Dave Dowling, Dennis Sejda and Carlo Spirito shot a Low Net score of 117 to take first place. Finishing in second was the team of Chuck Brown, Jim Muschany, Tim O’Brien and Bert Welage shot a 119 and won the tiebreaker with a score of 34. Andy Burt, Jim Dunn, Bob Mascatello and Bob VanZandt shot a 119 and won the tiebreaker with a score of 37 to finish third, while the team of Bill Delaney, Charles MacMichael, Bill O’Brien and Willie Smith shot a 120 and won the tiebreaker with a score of 58 to finish fourth.

Al DiBenedetto won the Closest to the pin contest on the 17th hole when his shot came to rest 14 ft. 3 in. from the pin. There were 50 players in the field.

Deerfield Beach

Dec. 4: Two people were observed on video surveillance smashing windows on five vehicles parked at Broward Health North at 201 E. Sample Rd. It was reported that three handguns, 190 rounds of ammunition, a set of knives and gym clothing were stolen.

Dec. 4: A man reported that his vehicle parked at 4389 SW 10 Pl. was entered, ransacked and a $250 diesel watch stolen. Two people were arrested for the offense and the watch was found with the two people.

Dec. 5: A man was arrested and charged with felony retail theft and trespassing at CVS at 2 S. Federal Hwy.

Dec. 5: A woman reported that her car parked at 411 NE 20 Ave. was entered and a purse valued at $260 was stolen.

Dec. 5: A man was observed stealing a television from Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy.

Dec. 9: A man reported that his vehicle parked at Home Depot at 60 SW 12 Ave. was stolen.

Lighthouse Point

Nov. 26: The victim was washing clothes at the laundry mat located at 1991 NE 39 St. when he realized he had left $1,060 cash in a pants pocket. He returned to the location to discover the money was gyrating in the dryer. When he opened the door, he was only able to find $60 of it. The remaining money was discovered in his vehicle.

Dec. 8: A resident called the police to report the son had lost the keys to his vehicle and house, located in the 2300 block of NE 29 St. earlier in the day. They called back later in the day to report they found the keys.

Dec. 12: The victim told police she had parked her bicycle outside the store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and went inside for about 15 min. When she came out, the bike, which was left unattended and unlocked, was missing. The loss was $180.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Deerfield Beach

Nov. 27: A company van parked at 700 NE 42 St. was broken into. A number of items including a yellow hammer valued at $420 and electrical wiring valued at $100 were stolen. Two windows on the van were broken for a loss of $360.

Nov. 27: An individual was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana by police while they were on patrol. The incident was reported at 400 SE 21 Ave. and the individual was issued a notice to appear in court.

Nov. 27: Two women were observed stealing several gift boxes from the Ulta Store at 3820 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Dec. 2: A man reported his vehicle parked at 149 SE 21 Ave. was broken into and $40 and two credit cards were stolen.

Dec. 2: A man armed with a gun entered the Shell gas station at 301W. Hillsboro Blvd. and demanded money. The man then fled the area.

Lighthouse Point

Nov. 18: Graffiti was spray painted on the walls of the business at 4980 N. Federal Hwy. The damage was estimated at $1,000.

Nov. 18: A passerby found a loose dog at 2111 NE 42 Ct. The owner was located and the dog was returned.

Nov. 26: A customer test drove a vehicle from 4540 N. Federal Hwy. and a dealer tag went missing. Two other tags were also reported missing from the dealer.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

Deerfield Beach

Nov. 20: A man reported that unknown suspects stole all four alloy wheels and tires from a Toyota Camry parked at 977 Spring Cir. The loss was estimated at $2,000.

Nov. 20: A man reported that wheels and tires were stolen from his Honda Accord parked at 627 Siesta Key Cir.

Nov. 20: A man reported his minivan parked at 1100 SE 4 Ave. was broken into. A window was smashed causing $300 in damage and coins were stolen from the interior of the car.

Nov. 24: A man reported that his car was stolen after an informal party he hosted at 4411 NW 3 Terr. He was told a man named “Billy” stole the car.

Nov. 26: It was reported that a woman stole cellphone cases/chargers from Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy. The loss was estimated at $519.

Nov. 26: A man reported his vehicle stolen from his home at 274 SE 1 Terr.

Lighthouse Point

Nov. 10: Someone took a package of dog food from a porch at 2765 NE 21 Terr. The loss was $260.

Nov. 13: The victim placed her Apple iPhone in the pocket of her apron and, following her shift, she left the apron at work and clocked out. The victim left the business at 2460 N. Federal Hwy. and later returned when she discovered her phone was missing. It was not turned in and the phone was estimated at $500.

Nov. 17: A male holding a bank envelope and a restaurant menu entered the store at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. and said he needed to get $1 bills in exchange for wrapped coins for his business. He received $100 in singles and the store employee put the coins on the side. It was later discovered that there were pennies in the wrapped coins and there was a total of $85.46 loss. The subject attempted to do the same larceny at a nearby ice cream store but was refused.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)

By Gary Curreri

The Deerfield Beach High School football team is within two games of going where no previous team has gone – a state championship.

After his team dismantled visiting Miramar, Plantation, and Palm Beach Central in successive weeks, the Bucks (12-1) have undefeated Miami Columbus (13-0) coming to town on Friday night for the Class 8A state semifinal with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.

Deerfield Beach football coach Jevon Glenn believes the home field advantage will pay off.

“We have a lot of respect for that program and what they have done over the years and this year,” said Glenn, whose team downed Palm Beach Central, 21-6, last Friday night. “It is time to go after it and we are ready. Two years ago, we got close when we got to this round and lost to Southridge.”

The Bucks reached the state final in 2005 when they lost to Palm Beach Gardens, 49-29, at Dolphin Stadium, now known as Hard Rock Stadium.

“Our motto all year has been, ‘let’s make history,’ Glenn said. “We are trying to do something that has never been done around here. I told our guys, and I put the onus on them to make a new culture around here.”

It also pays off to have junior running back Jaylan Knighton, who carried 23 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns. With the effort, he has padded his season totals to 2,045 yards and 28 total touchdowns this season.

The Oklahoma commit, who rushed for a school-record 347 yds. in a win over Taravella earlier this season, scored on runs of 1 and 8 yds. as the Bucks seized a 14-0 halftime lead.

After Palm Beach Central (11-2) cut the lead to 14-6 on a Charles Stewart 5 yd. TD run, the Bucks padded their lead to 21-6 on a 26 yd. pass from Derohn King to Dashaun Davis with 2:43 left in the third quarter. The Broncos had won 11 straight coming into the game, with their other loss coming to Atlantic, 14-0 in the first week of the season.

“We are going to be here for the long haul,” said Glenn, whose only loss this season came at the hands of St. Thomas Aquinas, 38-6 six games ago. “For some of these kids, this is their second time in four years playing in the state semifinal game.

“We told them after the game that we want to set the bar at the highest of the high and be state champion,” Glenn added. “We will let the kids that come after them follow. We are going to live in the moment. We’re peaking at the right time.

Obviously we’ve got a ways to go, but we’re playing really good football right now both sides of the ball.”

Glenn said he knows what to expect from the Explorers, who entered the game having outscored the opposition, 456-154. They were on a six-game winning streak last year before they were upset by Miami High in the regional finals.

Deerfield Beach, on the other hand, has outscored its opponents, 399-125, and are riding a six-game winning streak.

“I know that (Miami) Columbus is a very disciplined, well-coached team,” Glenn said. “They have a lot of great athletes and it is going to be a battle of two good football teams.”

Deerfield Beach

Nov. 13: A Ford F350 was broken into and $30,000 worth of tools were stolen. The vehicle was parked at 351 W. Hillsboro Blvd. in the parking lot of La Quinta Inn.

Nov. 13: It was reported that a maintenance golf cart was stolen from outside a clubhouse at Hidden Woods of Deer Creek at 207 Deer Creek Blvd.

Nov. 13: It was reported that an A/C unit valued at $1,000 was stolen from a home at 1213 SW 1 Terr.

Nov. 13: Three women were observed stealing about $2,000 worth of cosmetics products from 1041 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Nov. 13: It was reported that a vehicle parked at 501 E. Sample Rd. was broken into and a semi-automatic pistol valued at $540 was stolen.

Nov. 18: A woman reported that someone siphoned five gallons of gas from two vehicles parked at 70 SE 6 Ave.

Lighthouse Point

Nov. 10: The victim who lives in the 3800 block of NE 25 Ave. said someone opened a fraudulent account in her name and discovered a $3,300 transaction. She said she never opened a credit card account.

Nov. 10: A subject was warned previously to stay away from the area and returned to 3650 N. Federal Hwy. and was causing a disturbance. The subject initially refused to leave the premises, but eventually did and was trespassed again by police.

Nov. 12: The victim who lives at 2182 NE 28 St. said three of his vehicles were entered during the night. $2 was removed from one vehicle, a glove box was taken and placed in the driver’s seat of a second vehicle, and nothing appeared to be taken from the third vehicle. All three vehicles were unlocked.

(This is a partial list. For Deerfield Beach Crime Watch in full, visit www.DFB.City and click on “Sign Me Up” to receive the city wide report.)