By Scott Morganroth

Former FAU QB Rusty Smith was the first Owls player ever selected in the NFL Draft being chosen in the sixth round, 176 overall, by the Tennessee Titans in 2010, but he hasn’t played the best.

In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected tight-end Rob Housler in the third round, 69th overall, and he was the team’s fourth leading receiver with 45 catches for 417 yards this season.

The best player ever drafted from FAU was running back Alfred Morris. There have only been three Owls picked in the NFL Draft. But Morris, who turned 24 on Dec. 12, had a monster rookie season playing in the same backfield as Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. He rushed for 1,613 yards, with a 4.8 average and 13 touchdowns. He was second in the league in rushing. Morris broke the Redskins single season rushing record previously held by former Miami Hurricane Clinton Portis, who had 1,516 yards. He broke Charley Taylor’s rookie season touchdown total of 10.

In the Redskins final regular season game, a 28-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys that gave Washington its first NFC East title since 1999, all Morris did was amass 33 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns. It was Washington’s first playoff appearance since 2007. Not bad for a guy who was a sixth round pick, 173 overall, who Washington selected in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on July 27, 2011 for Donovan McNabb. Morris became the fourth player in NFL History to ever record over 1,600 yards rushing in his rookie year. It’s safe to say that Redskins Owner Dan Snyder got a bargain when he signed Morris to a four-year $2.22 million contract with a $154,000 signing bonus on May 6, 2012. Now, McNabb is out of football and is doing radio in Philadelphia. But leave little doubt that with Snyder’s deep pockets of signing veteran free agents which failed to produce, Morris will have a new contract soon enough.

What a difference a year makes. In 2011, Morris was the best player on a 1-11 FAU team. In 2012, he’s put FAU on the map, playing a key role in the Redskins 10-6 season and, as long as he stays healthy, the youngster out of Pensacola, Florida has a bright future ahead of him. The Redskins front office know they have found a hidden gem to build their offense around while FAU can use Morris as a recruiting tool to build its young program.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scott sports33.com.

By Gary Curreri

George Deeb couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Four of the top 50-over softball teams in South Florida came together for competition, camaraderie and charity, and, in the end, everyone was a winner.

“It is fabulously rewarding,” said Deeb, 72, of Ft. Lauderdale, who coordinated the inaugural South Florida Senior Invitational Softball Tournament benefiting Toys for Tots at 4- Fields Complex in Pompano recently.

“The guys in our club are very generous and many of them are fathers and grandfathers and I think most of them expressed a great deal of joy that we were participating,” said Deeb, who plays with the host team, South Florida Senior Softball Association. “The minute we said it was going to be Toys for Tots, they were really excited.”

The four teams that took part in the one-day tournament included the Cushing Softball League team, based at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton; the Latinos, an all-star team with players from The Royal Palm Senior League and West Palm Beach Senior League; Old School Softball, sponsored by Steve Levin Financial Services and is top-level tournament travel team with players from the Tri- County area.

In the semifinals, Steve Levin Financial defeated the Latinos, 19-10, while Cushing Softball League downed the host South Florida Senior Softball Association squad, 16-13, to advance to the title game. Steve Levin Financial prevailed in the championship game with a comefrom- behind 16-14 win over the Cushing All-Stars.

“It worked out perfectly,” Deeb added. “There was no goal. Everybody who participated had to bring a toy. If there were 12 guys on a team, we hoped to get at least 48 toys to come. We filled up a van full. It is unbelievable. It was not just ordinary gifts either. There were a lot of very unique expensive items. A couple of the men in the club are Marines and they are going to bring them to the Marines for distribution.”

Deeb said the event will continue and the winning team earns a trophy that they will hold for a year. He said, more than that, the seniors enjoy playing at a high level.

“I have a double hip replacement and I am out here playing ball every day at 72,” Deeb said. “There are guys out here with knee replacements, c’mon. It’s a delight. These are the best 50 year-olds in South Florida.”

“It is very competitive,” added Deeb, who said they may add a 60s division next year with four additional teams. “A lot of these guys are tournament players. They play in Las Vegas, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia. They are very active players. We asked the very best teams to play. It’s our first year and we wanted to go slow.”

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach High senior Biko Lobban is looking to reach the state wrestling tournament for the first time.

Lobban, 18, of Margate, lost in his last match at regionals last year and narrowly missed qualifying for the state event. “Right now, I want to be state champion,” said Lobban, who will wrestle in the 152lb. division. “I was one match away from going to state last year and it is still with me. I still picture it in my head all of the time. It motivated me a lot for this year.”

“Whether I am at practice, in the gym or on the treadmill working out, I go to practice every day,” Lobban added. “If it is not practice, I am at home refining my skills doing whatever I can do.”

Lobban has been wrestling since his freshman year and knows that a slight mistake on the mat could cost him.

“All of the emotions start pouring in,” Lobban said. “You think, ‘how did I let that happen? I saw that coming, why couldn’t I stop it?’ When time is running out, it can go either way. If you get that pin, it is the best feeling in the world.” Lobban said he likes the challenge the sport presents. He knows that practice makes him better.

“I like that I can get on the mat and actually see my skills getting better and bettering myself,” Lobban said. “I like the one-on-one aspect that the sport provides. When I get on the mat, everything else is blocked out. It is just that person and me. I love wrestling people who are better than me because it helps me better myself. It’s a great feeling.” Being this is his senior year, Lobban said there is a lot of pressure.

“The younger wrestlers, the rookies, are looking up to me, and at the same time, I am refining my skills too.”

Lobban said. “I know I have a lot of competition this year. I have to keep wrestling and try my best.”

Lobban, who is also a member of the Deerfield Beach- BSO PAL wrestling team, said the best feeling is when the referee raises your arm after winning a match.

“It is the greatest feeling when the referee raises my hand,” Lobban said. “You are thinking, ‘wow I actually did it! I did what I had to do to win.’”

Simply soccer coming to town

One week after Santa Claus hit Pompano Beach, Simply Soccer returns to hold a soccer camp from Jan. 2-4, 2013.

Registration is being held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The soccer camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who are taught a variety of soccer skills from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a Tiny Tot program for kids ages 5 and 6 is from 9 a.m. to noon.

Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Dept. at 954-786-4119 or 954-786-4111.

Stuart wins President’s Cup

Janet Stuart was recently named the 2012 President’s Cup Champion for the Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association.

Stuart finished with the best two out of three rounds as she carded a low net score of 138.

By Gary Curreri

The Highlands Christian Academy boys’ basketball team had nowhere to go but up after it limped through the worst season in school history last year.

So far so good, as the Knights have already doubled their win total of a year ago. Highlands Christian entered the week at 4- 6 overall, but 0-3 in the difficult District 14-3A standings.

“It took us to January last year to get to two wins and we have two before December, so we were feeling real good,” said Highlands Christian coach Jim Good, who is in his eighth year as head coach and has already improved on last year’s 2-21 mark.

“Last year was frustrating, but going into that year, I knew what was to be expected. We knew going in that we are really a 1A school playing 3A.”

Good said his team graduated eight seniors from the team that won back-to-back district championships in 2010 and 2011.

“Last year, we had no returnees and we were basically a JV team trying to get better and trying to improve and I can honestly say that they are maturing,” said Good, who has three seniors, including two starters this year. It’s coming. It’s a process.”

The Knights opened the season with a preseason victory over Berean Christian and then a victory over Community Christian in the squad’s home opener.

They suffered back-to-back defeats in the 35th annual Highlands Christian Holiday Classic basketball tournament earlier this season.

“We have everybody back from last year,” Good said. “We graduated one senior and have seven returning. It is an inexperienced group and now this is their second year on varsity. We are startinganeighthgrader(Herman Robinson) who still has to mature. He is our point guard and putting things into perspective, heshouldbeonourmiddleschool team. We are just investing six good years in him.”

Good said the team is a tough district with Sagemont, Coral Springs Christian and Westminster Academy. He said the team is looking forward to a “featured game” against Community Christian on Dec. 22 at the American Airlines Arena. Following the game, the Knights will take in a Miami Heat game against the Utah Jazz.

“There is a lot of stuff we have to work on,” Good said. “Maybe the idea will set in that they don’t want to lose. We are going to lose games. You play sports and it is very rare that you go undefeated. I want them to work hard in practice and I want to get better.”

Simply soccer coming to town

One week after Santa Claus hits Pompano Beach, Simply Soccer will return city and hold a soccer camp from Jan. 2-4, 2013. Registration is being held at the Pompano Beach Civic Center. The camp is for boys and girls, ages 5-14, of all skill levels, who are taught a variety of soccer skills, from dribbling to shooting. There are three sessions each day ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., extended hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a Tiny Tot program kids ages 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. Campers must bring a soccer ball, swimsuit, shin guards, water bottle and lunch. For more information, call the city of Pompano Parks and Recreation Dept. at 954- 786-4119 or 954-786-4111.

By Gary Curreri

It took a little more than half a century; however, Bill Delaney finally got his second hole-in-one.

Delaney’s first ace came as a 14-year-old at the George Wright Golf Course in Boston when he used a 5-iron from 145-yds. out on the fourth hole.

He recorded his second hole-in-one on the 17th hole at the Palms Course at Pompano Beach Municipal during a Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association Two Best Balls of a Foursome tournament on Halloween.

“I think my skill level had something to do with it,” joked Delaney, 65, of Ft. Lauderdale, who used a 5-hybrid on the 155-yd. hole. “It didn’t allow me to get any closer. It’s actually the luck of the draw. I have had seven or eight balls that I have left inside of 2 in. of the cup. I have had three or four that I have left literally hanging on the cup.”

Delaney, a retired printing company president, helped his team – George Disch, Don Mann and Carlo Spirito – to a third place finish in the tournament with a 121.

“It was nice day,” Delaney added. “I was playing very well. I was hitting it straight all day long. There was a fair amount of humidity in the air and there was a moderate breeze.”

Delaney said after hitting his shot straight as an arrow, the ball hit the pin and dropped straight down into the hole.

“I knew when it hit the pin that it was in,” Delaney said. “It hit the pin with such a loud smack, I felt pretty confident that it went in and, sure enough, when we got up there, we saw it in the hole. My understanding is that when someone gets a hole-in-one, they come in groups. I sincerely hope that between now and when I am 70, I will get a three or four more.”

Delaney started playing golf when he was 12 years old and tries to play three to four times a week. He has an 18-handicap at Pompano because of the conditions; however, he said his actual handicap is around a 12. He said he plays a fair amount of golf at Palm Aire, Heron Bay, Woodmont and Woodlands Country Clubs in Broward County.

Delaney is an admitted chocoholic, so it was pretty fitting and sweet when he scored the second hole-in-one of his golfing career on Halloween. “Given the fact that I love candy, this was probably as good,” Delaney said. “I have absolutely no favorite (candy). As long as it is chocolate, I’ll devour it. I had a jar of candy when I got home that night.”

By Gary Curreri

Ken Zeber has played in the Sunshine Seniors Softball League at the 4-Fields Complex in Pompano since 2003, and, despite having five bypasses 16 years ago, he still loves playing. Zeber, who will turn 69 in December and lives in Oakland Park, said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The best part is probably seeing guys older than me out there playing and getting exercise even though I still go to the gym,” Zeber said. “The bypasses came after being too active at night with my playing softball, coaching little league for my son, the wife and I were bowling and my daughter at dance. With all this activity, we ate (fast food) five nights a week and I believe that’s what caused them.”

The league recently concluded its summer season as Wally’s Raiders rallied for an 11-inning, 18-14 victory over the Reds in the championship game of the slow pitch summer league that plays on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the complex.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Bill Coyne, who retired from the Town of Davie three years ago where he was a police lieutenant. “There is great camaraderie and you meet a lot of people from all walks of life and areas.”

Coyne, 61, of Coral Springs, is also a member of the No Stars All-Star team that plays in the Florida Half Century Softball Association. They’ve won three tournaments in the 60s age group this season and they play once a month around the state. The Pompano Beachbased league has many travel team players still competing at the highest levels despite their ages.

“I see myself playing as long as I am healthy,” Coyne said. “We have some guys that play in the league that play well into their 80s and (play) at a good level. You forget that they are that old and still doing that.”

This is the 16th year of the Sunshine Seniors Softball League, which will have between four and six teams during the three seasons the league holds.

“It is the greatest thing in the world, especially for the ages of players that we have,” said Bart Grillo, 83, of Deerfield Beach, who serves as commissioner of the league. “I would say the majority of our guys, at least 50 percent of them, are over 70. They enjoy the game.”

Grillo, who hung up his cleats three years ago because of health issues, said he tries to downplay the competitive nature of the seniors.

The 55-and-older slow pitch softball league plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will play occasional tournaments on Saturdays at the 4-Fields complex in Pompano. Grillo said there are players who are involved in the Florida Half Century Amateur Softball Association that features tournaments around the state for seniors.

Grillo, who was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in January 2007, joked there is an age limit for his league. He credited the city of Pompano for its support and that the league has been able to succeed.

“You can play up to 100 if you can make it,” Grillo said with a laugh. “We have a dozen guys who are in their 80s. I would still be playing if I didn’t have a problem with my breathing. It is a lot of fun. It is enjoyment and something to do.”

For more information on the league, contact Grillo at 954- 421-6892.

Youth soccer registration

The city of Pompano is currently taking registrations for its youth soccer program. Registration began on Nov. 5 and the program begins on Dec. 17, for players ages 5-7 and 11-13 (Monday & Wednesday); Dec. 18, for players ages 8-10 (Tuesday & Thursday). Cost is $54 for residents and $110 for non-residents.

It is an opportunity to experience a great program that offers the fundamentals and skills in the sport of soccer. The city will be hosting evaluations for ages 8 and up to determine team assignments. For more information, call 954-786-4119.

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy sophomore Andrew Celesti made school history recently as he became the first member from his school to reach the FHSAA state bowling championships.

Celesti rolled a three-game total of 733 (255-198-280) to finish just 17 pins shy of tournament champion Pablo Cerda of Coral Springs Charter at Strikes at Boca recently.

“It was pretty cool,” said Celesti, who went on to place 109th out of 183 bowlers after rolling a four-game total of 697 (202-176-167-152) at the state tournament at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando. “It was amazing to be going to state. I didn’t really have that thought at the beginning of the year.”

Celesti said he averaged 180 in the league during the year, but put up a career-best, 280 in his final game at district to ensure his team would have a shot at the Baker games. His previous high was a 267.

“We were bowling good in competition and, in the third game, we went all out,” Celesti said. “I kept the mindset to strike out and I did it.”

Celesti’s brother, Chris, a senior, took fifth (205-212- 235-652) and narrowly missed advancing to state with his brother.

Knights’ teammate, Tyler Current, rolled a three-game series of 557, while Jonathan Cunningham totaled 461 for his three-game series. Ethan Peraza bowled a three-game series of 358.

Highlands Christian was a surprising qualifier for the Baker games at the statequalifying District 14 tournament as it made up a 36-pin deficit on Coral Springs Charter in its final game by bowling a 1,022. Coral Springs Charter School was only able to muster an 863 in its final game.

The Knights finished with a three-game total of 2,761, while Coral Springs Charter was fifth with 2,638 pins.

Highlands lost 3-1 to Boca Raton in the opening round of the Baker games, but rallied to top Santaluces, 3-1 in the second round. Boca Raton then swept Highlands in three straight games to advance to the final where it lost to Park Vista, 3-2. Only the Top 2 teams and Top 2 individuals advance to the state tournament.

First-year coach Timothy Celesti, father of both Chris and Andrew, said advancing to the Baker games didn’t surprise him.

“There was some good talent and I knew the boys could do it if they kept their minds clear,” the elder Celesti said. “What I did at districts was that they were loose so I left them alone. It would have been unbelievable to get a berth to states, but the fact that we were even in that position was a huge accomplishment because it is only our second year bowling at Highlands.”

By Gary Curreri

Deerfield Beach football coach Allen Jackson hoped to use last Friday night’s regular season finalé against St. Thomas Aquinas as a tuneup for this week’s Class 8A regional quarterfinal game at Cypress Bay.

What he discovered was there was still some tinkering to do as the visiting Bucks went back to the early season mistakes that led to a 0-3 start as it dropped a 45-0 decision to St. Thomas Aquinas. Deerfield Beach (5-4) had seemed to put those miscues aside in recent weeks as it rolled to five consecutive wins and advanced as the No. 2 seed in the district tiebreaker.

The Raiders scored 31 points off four Deerfield Beach turnovers and a muffed punt to record its second consecutive shutout and third of the season.

Quarterback John O’Korn passed for 138 yards and ran for two scores to lead the way.

The running back tandem of Aeron McNeal (15 carries, 38 yards) and Brandon Powell (13 carries, 36 yards) were held in check most of the night.

“We knew we couldn’t make mistakes against a team like this,” Jackson said. “They are one of the best teams in the state.”

Jackson admitted his team suffered from playing three times in a week – an emotional win over then-undefeated South Plantation to force the three-way district tiebreaker, defeating Taravella before falling to South Plantation in Monday’s tiebreaker, and then playing St. Thomas Aquinas in a road game.

“It took a lot out of us going back-to-back two weeks in a row,” Jackson said.

“You just have to take care of bruises. We’ve seen Cypress Bay before so we have to get ready for them.”

The Bucks fell to Cypress Bay, 29-6, in the season opener; however, Jackson still believes his team can go deep in the playoffs.

“The kids just started believing in what we were trying to do,” Jackson said. “After the Taravella (regular season) game, we just went back to the basics. We decided to go back to the drawing board. We have two special backs back there so we are going to run it a little bit. We didn’t know if we were a running team or a passing team. Now, we have our identity.” Jackson gushes when he speaks of Powell, who is fourth in the county in rushing behind South Plantation’s Alex Collins (145 carries, 1263 yards, 14 TDs). Powell has 140 carries for 1,116 yards and 13 scores, while McNeal has 112 carries for 813 yards and 7 scores. “Brandon, oh my goodness,”

Jackson said of his junior running back. “He’s special. He’s a great kid, who gives you everything he’s got. He’s going to play hard until the final whistle blows every game.”

By Gary Curreri

Sophomore quarterback Trystan Lago passed for 183 yards and three touchdowns as visiting Highlands Christian Academy defeated Coral Springs Christian Academy, 26-20, at Mullins Park in the ‘Annual Battle of the Sword’ gridiron clash last Friday night.

Lago was 13 for 24 passing and found senior wideout Kyle Audet five times for 98 yards and three scores as the Knights (2-3, 1-1 in District 7-2A) won their fifth consecutive game in the series. Senior Arelious Burns added 16 carries for 158 yards and one TD in the winning effort.

Coral Springs Christian (0- 1, 2-2) won the first six meetings between the two schools beginning in 2002 with a 43- 27 victory. Highlands won last year’s game, 48-7.

“It’s been a great rivalry and tradition,” said Highlands Christian Academy Athletic Director Jim Good. “The winning team gets to keep the sword for the school year. The theme verse on the plaque reads: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).”

Ely downs unbeaten Monarch

Blanche Ely’s James Butler ran for 125 yards and one TD, while quarterback Nelson Irvin accounted for scores both in the air and on the ground as the Tigers (4-1, 2-0) ended Monarch’s hopes for an undefeated season in winning the District 14-7A contest, 20-14 last Friday night. Ely (4-1, 2-0) overcame three fumbles as they rolled to 257 yards on the ground. Irvin had an 11-yard scoring toss and added a 5-yard scoring run in the winning effort.

Monarch fell to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in District play with the loss.

Bucks pound visiting Douglas

Deerfield Beach’s Brandon Powell made his presence felt on the first play from scrimmage as the Bucks grounded visiting Douglas, 49-7, on Friday night.

Powell, a junior running back, scored on a 68-yard touchdown run on the Bucks first play from scrimmage to set the tone. Powell finished the first half with 183 rushing yards and three touchdowns en route to a 214-yard effort for the night. He also had scoring runs of 60 and 49 yards.

Teammate Aeron McNeal added 171 yards on the ground and two touchdowns of 10 and 42 yards for the Bucks, who improved to 1-3 overall and 1- 1 in the District 11-8A race. Douglas fell to 1-4 overall with its fourth consecutive loss and 0-2 in the District.

Golfing & Giving

The local chapter of Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) GOLF RALLY FOR A CURE is planning its fifth annual golf event fundraiser to help protect the women in our lives against cancer.

This fun and exciting golf outing on Sunday, Oct. 21 at Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield Beach, welcomes all levels of players – women and men – and offers great prizes, too.

Entry fee is $95 and includes golf, range balls, tips and dinner. There will be a 1:15 p.m. stroke play shotgun start. All proceeds will benefit The Women’s Imaging Center of the Memorial Foundation to support breast and ovarian cancer research, screenings and treatment.

For more information and to register for Golf Rally for a Cure Event, please go to www.ewgafortlauderdale.com register no later than Oct. 10.

By Gary Curreri

Fittingly, when the Florida Flag Football League State Championship (FFFL) in Melbourne concluded, the team left standing was the Pompano Beach-based Apocalypse team.

James Panui, Quinton McLendon and Derrick Brown each scored touchdowns as Apocalypse defeated the Palm Beach Knights, 19-7, to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive FFFL state title recently in Melbourne, FL.

Apocalypse surpassed the previous record of four consecutive victories held by Palace Saloon of Tallahassee. Following the tournament, Brown was inducted into the Florida Flag Football Hall of Fame.

“All the credit for this championship goes to Tony Walton, our linebacker and defensive coordinator,” said Apocalypse coach Craig Miller. “Our offense was sputtering and not as high-octane as in the past. Our defense kept us out of the fire. Tony won MVP for the tournament.”

Playing a double elimination tournament against the best flag football teams in the state, Apocalypse defeated four teams to win it all. The local squad defeated the Impact (Orlando), 23-12; Ruff Ryders (Miami), 20-18, and the Palm Beach Knights, 24-12, to advance to the finals where it defeated the Palm Beach Knights again. It marked the second year in a row that Apocalypse defeated the Palm Beach Knights in the championship game.

Local headed to paralympic games

Pompano Beach resident and 41-year-old double amputee Bradley Johnson left this weekend for London where he will compete in the Paralympic Games as a member of the 2012 U.S. National Sailing Team.

After finishing his undergraduate degree in criminology in 1992, Johnson had his eyes set on attending law school at the University of Florida (UF). However, his life took a dramatic turn the day he took his law school entrance exams. While traveling on I-75, his automobile hydroplaned and slammed into a guardrail, which severed Johnson’s left leg below- the-knee and right leg above-the-knee. However, Johnson didn’t let the accident deter him from achieving his dreams as he went on to obtain his law degree from UF in 1997.

In 1999, while at the Hanger Clinic for a prosthetic follow-up appointment, Johnson saw an ad for the National Disabled Summer Games hosted by Disabled Sports U.S.A; this compelled him to seek out a viable sport in which to compete with the objective of achieving Paralympic glory. Johnson then took up sitting volleyball and competed in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

It was there he was introduced to the U.S. Sailing Team coaches. Upon returning to the states, Johnson, who has always had a passion for the water, went on to join a sailing team and compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games. He took home a bronze medal!

In addition to chasing his Paralympic dreams, Johnson is a practicing attorney, an advocate for equal rights for individuals with physical disabilities and a motivational speaker.