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Fort Lauderdale, FL – Spring games on the high school level offer the opportunity to compete against other teams, gauge where they are now and where their destiny may lie in the fall. The jamboree setting offers a unique format of competition where multiple teams play for a shortened game in rotation. Thursday Fort Lauderdale High, Monarch (Coconut Creek) and Miami Norland competed in a three-team jamboree at Northeast (Oakland Park) High School. Miami Norland was the sole team leaving the jamboree undefeated. The 2018 6A playoff team first beat Lauderdale 14-0 then held off Monarch 21-14 in a half of play each.
“We came out and dominated today,” said four-star offensive lineman Issaiah Walker. “Our team performance was our standard to tell you the truth. We came out here and dominated and in the fall…we coming.”
Several college coaches were in attendance including Miami Hurricanes offensive line coach Butch Barry.
“They always tell me I’m a priority for them,” said the current 2020 South Carolina commit with a smile. “That was a good thing that they came out to see me and courted me like that.”
Walker says Miami is definitely an option going forward and plans to attend Paradise Camp in June.
Vikings Claim The Throne
Offensively, senior running back OT Dulcia started the day off with a 70-yard touchdown run and the Vikings continued their dominance from that point forward behind their solid O-Line play. Also helping the Vikings in a big way was 2020 receiver, Anthony Johnson.
Correction, score is 21-7 as @SouthFLExpress playmaker @humbled_ant scored his second touchdown of the day. He out dueled defenders for the ball for the score. He actually scored twice on the drive as the one before was called back. @FootballHotbed @MiamiNorlandSHS pic.twitter.com/WiqJHgtd9F
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 16, 2019
Johnson scored two touchdowns and made some plays at the cornerback position. Quarterback Jaden Williams gave him opportunities and Johnson made the most of those chances coming down with the football.
From Left to Right: Aramis Smith, CB, Fort Lauderdale and Anthony Johnson, WR, Miami Norland leap for ball
Defensively, Norland got contributions from a variety of players. Senior defensive linemen Kendrick Wilson at 6’5,” 235 was a problem for opposing players as well as Ian McFarlane who was consistently in the backfield. Edge rushers Ke’youn Busby (2020), Nyheim Jean (2022), and Joseph Jones (2020) all contributed with sacks and tackles for losses on the day. Senior defensive back Dave Sylvestre seemed to be the most consistent ball hawk for the team representing Dade County.
Knights Of Promise
Bobby Mclaughlin led the entire state of Florida in tackles last season and seemed to lead the entire jamboree in tackles Thursday. Against Norland, he recorded an unofficial 12 tackles and had two sacks in just a half of play. He also had a number of hurries and made plays to cause disruption in the passing game. The Football Hotbed National High School Showcase All-American continues to build on a solid career.
This guy flys all over the field. The leading tackler in all of Florida last year was absolutely relentless at today’s Jamboree. Can’t wait to see what he does in his senior season for @MHS_Knights_FB. @Bobby_5901 @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/fsDzamXTGb
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 17, 2019
The 2019 version of Monarch will be led by new quarterback Pete Zamora. The former 2022 Cardinal Gibbons quarterback is looking to lead the Knights to a bounce-back season from missing the playoffs in 2018. Zamora had two touchdown passes against Norland with the first on a screen pass to 2021 wide receiver Jaden Alexis and the following going to 2020 WR Brady Brauner. Zamora went 22 for 35 with 315 yards passing scoring three touchdowns and throwing two interceptions in his first varsity game. Zamora did, however, give up a scoop and score to 2021 linebacker Byrese Barry that would ultimately be the difference in the match.
Byrese Barry with the scoop and score here to put @MiamiNorlandSHS up 14-7 over Monarch. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/p5q8frnCMR
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 16, 2019
The New Fort Lauderdale High
Head Coach Richard Dunbar is going into the 2019 season with unfamiliarly high expectations for the program. In over 50 years, FTL High won a playoff game last season and are looking to build on that momentum in 2019. The Flying Ls lost some players, have some players back and have some new additions, so the question is can they duplicate or supersede the success of 2018?
“We lost a lot of experience with this graduating 2019 class,” said Coach Dunbar. “We’re more athletic but we lack experience.”
There were three stand-out players on defense for the team in blue that shutout Monarch in their second game. Senior linebacker Daniel Perez made several tackles for loss and made his presence felt. Senior edge rusher Jaden Carter is back from injury and is looking to be a key contributor in 2019. He has ideal size for his position as an edge rusher and should be a name to watch this season. Junior defensive back Aramis Smith had several pass breakups and an interception.
On offense, junior quarterback Massimo Foerch gained some rhythm as the day progressed.
The @FlyinglsFB take the lead on this clever fake from @Massimo_Foerch and pass to Kevin Larkins Jr. for the touchdown. Score 7-0 @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/g1GZcMc7mr
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 17, 2019
Foerch connected twice to junior Kevin Larkins Jr. for touchdowns and has the confidence to lead this team back to the playoffs.
The 2021 receiver @KevinLarkinsJr1 scored his second touchdown of the game for @FlyinglsFB against Monarch catching the ball over the defender in the corner of the end zone. Lauderdale defeats Monarch 14-0. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/dnxXQCn5wi
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 17, 2019
“[The Jamboree] gives us a chance to have a live look and go back and see things on film that we might have missed. It allows us to build on what we have.”
