Dillard Thrives Despite Adversity And Change, Dominates in First Round Playoff

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Marcus Benjamin

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools wondered if there would be a football season in 2020.  In Florida, the pandemic has affected the Tri-County area (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach) counties more so than the other counties in the state with soaring numbers of cases that continue to rise to this day.  As a result of the significantly higher numbers, the schools in the Tri-counties were given a choice to opt-in to the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) state tournament or complete in a shortened regular season and participate in what is known as the ‘Tri-County Championship.’ 

The Tri-County Championship tournament will be divided into two levels: Gold Level and Silver Level.  There will be three brackets and two levels for each bracket: 8A bracket, 7A bracket, and the 6A-1A bracket.  

Last season, Fort Lauderdale Dillard, completed its season without a single loss and met familiar 6A foe Miami Central in the regional final. The Panthers failed to score a single point against the eventual state champions in a disappointing 35-0 loss.  Dillard opted out of the FHSAA state championship and decided to compete in the Tri-County championship for 2020 in the 6A-1A Gold bracket.  

In a non-COVID-19 related case, former Dillard Head Football coach Eddie Frasier tragically died this offseason of diabetic ketoacidosis.  The Dillard alum coached in his first season as head coach in 2019. Frasier was 34 years old.  

Friday, Dillard hosted Pahokee in its first Tri-County playoff game.  Dillard came into the contest undefeated outsourcing their opponents 138-26.  Pahokee, who reached the 1A state semifinals a year ago came into Friday night’s game 2-2.   

The game, not a contest, as the Panthers ran away with 49-6 win.


“We got it going with the run game at first,” said Head Coach Tyler Tate.  The running game opened up the pass game, we hit some big plays in the pass game and broke the game open.”

Tate, a Dillard alum, brings a championship mentality from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.  The former offensive coordinator won three straight state championships with his former team and brings offensive balance to this Dillard team in year one.  

“I’m a Dillard graduate,” said Coach Tate.  “So this is my home.  Coming back home, I was fortunate to be welcomed with open arms by all of the alumni and the community.  It’s a good transition from Coach Frasier to me because of our personalities and the love we have for these kids and on the field we’ve been doing a good job.”

Dillard (4-0) is led by quarterback Amani Norcius.  The sophomore was surgical in the first half throwing for three touchdown passes in the first half alone.  His first, a perfectly thrown deep ball to junior Devaughn Mortimer for a 40-yard touchdown, the second, a screen pass to Christopher Jones Jr. from mid-field, and his third, a sharp 11-yard out route throw to Evans Valcourt.  If it was not for the halftime whistle, Norcius likely would have scored a fourth touchdown pass in the half as the 2023 prospect worked his team into the red zone.  The Panthers led 35-0 at halftime.


“He’s grown tremendously from our first practice to now,” said Tate of his young quarterback.  “He continues to learn, he’s like a sponge soaking up all of the information.  He gets better every time he’s out there.”

Running backs Leonard Shultz and Jaferris Finley kept the Pahokee defense searching for answers. Pahokee also did not have an answer for Florida State commit Nyjalik Kelly.  The potential five-star (6-4, 230) defensive end was consistently in the backfield and registered a tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed in the first half alone.  


“Nyjalik Kelly is the best defensive player in the county,” said Tate.  “He dominates his side of the ball.  He wrecks game plans. He just turned 16 years old and you will continue to see big things out of Kelly.”

Dillard will play host to Belle Glade Glades Central next week in the second round of the  Tri-County playoffs. The Palm Beach powerhouse narrowly defeated the 2019 4A state champion Miami Booker T. Washington 18-14 Friday night.  Tate appreciates the opportunity to showcase what his team can do on his home field.

“I just wanted to get on the field for these seniors.  This is their last opportunity for them to get out here and play in front of their family and in front of Dillard High School alumni.  Right now we are sending these seniors out on the right note.”

 

 

About Marcus Benjamin

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.
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