Coconut Creek reverses trend in football rivalry, dominates Blanche Ely

For most of the past 30 years the Blanche Ely football team has owned Coconut Creek.

Despite leading the series 21-9 that began in 1991, the Tigers were no match for the Cougars on Friday.

Taking advantage of numerous Ely mistakes, Coconut Creek rolled to a 26-7 victory in a crucial District 10-3M contest.

Even when the Tigers had a glimmer of hope following a 95-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by back-up sophomore quarterback Gary Hadley on a naked bootleg, it was called back for a holding penalty.

A collection of four turnovers, 109 yards in penalties and negative rushing yardage on the night doomed Ely’s chances for success.

“Our goal was to make turnovers and turn them into points,” Coconut Creek coach Johnnie Sloan said. “I knew my defense would stand up. We too had a lot of penalties that held us back. All and all I’m grateful for the victory. Chaminade-Madonna is now on the clock.”

The Cougars will certainly be challenged when they host the undefeated and nationally-ranked Lions next Friday.

The Cougars (4-1, 1-0 in district) made any Ely (3-1, 0-1) comeback more difficult as they scored on their first possession of the second half.

Creek senior quarterback James Hayes, who had thrown for only nine yards in the first half, connected on a 70-yard scoring strike to Godson Sinelien with 8:57 left in the third quarter for a 26-7 lead.

That came on the heels of a late second quarter touchdown by Ely.

For nearly 24 minutes of the first half Coconut Creek owned Blanche Ely as they held a 19-0 lead with four seconds remaining before the break.

The Tigers needed something special if they expected to stay close to their opponent.

As the first half clock struck zero’s Hadley found an open Michael Warren alone in the endzone for touchdown and suddenly Ely was back in the game with momentum on their side.

Defensive back Jaxon Norkunas intercepted an Omai Mcneal pass and returned it to the Ely 30. Three plays later Damaine Wilson scored on a 5-yard run with 3:53 left in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

Coconut Creek took advantage of another Ely miscue when Gerald Magnus recovered another Ely turnover. That eventually resulted in a one-yard scoring run by Hayes.

Jamarie Hostzclaw, who missed last week’s game against Plantation due to injury, scored on a three-yard run and the lead grew to 19-0.