Dominant defense leads Blanche Ely to rout of Fort Lauderdale in battle of unbeatens

Many Blanche Ely followers of the school’s football program suffered through the 2021 season when the team stumbled through a 1-9 campaign.

Following Friday’s 36-12 victory over Fort Lauderdale, the Tigers remained undefeated at 4-0 securing the team’s best start opening the 2010 season 6-0 under former coach Willie Snead.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Fort Lauderdale (4-1), which was the Flying L’s longest streak since the team went 7-0 in 1962.

The difference leading to the win was a decisive Blanche Ely defensive front that repeatedly stuffed any offensive movement by the Flying L’s.

The Tigers defense recorded five sacks for minus-41 yards, while holding the Fort Lauderdale running game to nearly 60 yards of negative yardage.

“We play fast every down on defense,” Blanche Ely coach Michael Bailey said. “What a feeling for the turn around and I can’t be more thankful for the opportunity. This is special and go Tigers. We need to stay disciplined because we are still a young team. Many of these kids are new to winning.”

The Tigers were outscored 162-13 in their first four games of last season. Having turned the tide in the first four games of 2022, they have outscored their first four opponents 148-40.

The victory also snapped the Tigers’ three-game losing streak to Fort Lauderdale.

Already up by 10 points, the Tigers added to their lead with 5:35 left in the third quarter when Edward McIntosh scored from the 1-yard line for a 23-6 lead.

Despite the deficit, Fort Lauderdale still had fight left in them, driving 55 yards for a touchdown with 3:35 left in the quarter. Much of the drive was 34 yards in Ely penalties that put the Flying L’s in scoring position.

A TJ Nelson scoring pass of nine yards to Pat Boyd made the score 23-12.

Unfortunately, the Tigers responded with a touchdown of their own when Daniels found Marcel Williams for 14 yards with 0:41 left in the third quarter and a 30-12 lead.

“Ely is a great football team,” Fort Lauderdale coach Richard Dunbar said. “We have some things we need to fix. You can tell up front on the offense line we are young and inexperienced it cost us tonight.”

Ely added a late on a 4-yard scoring pass with 5:38 to play.

The only points Fort Lauderdale mustered in the open half was a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior Jalyn Jackson for an 6-2 lead with 10:31 remaining in the second quarter.

Ely responded with a 11-play drive the chewed up over six minutes off the clock with Nahcoy Daniels connecting with Marcus Williams for a 20-yard scoring pass with 4:06 left in the half.

After a Fort Lauderdale punt, Ely struck quickly when Cedric Ward scampered 40 yards untouched through the middle of the Flying L’s defensive for a 16-6 Tigers lead at the break.

Ely defensive back Harlem Howard, who has Vanderbilt and Oregon State high on his list of colleges, finished with a pair of interceptions.

This story was originally published October 1, 2022 at 12:04 AM.