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Fort Lauderdale, FL – Not since the year 2000 have the Dillard Panthers made it to the state championship game. That year, Dillard lost to Palm Bay (Melbourne) 10-6 and never returned to elite status since. The Panthers would usually field a competitive team year after year, but failed to reach the pinnacle of success, a state championship.
This year, Dillard will field one of its best teams in years and its full arsenal of talent was on display on its home turf Wednesday night. The Panthers outmuscled Monarch (Coconut Creek) 33-15 in its spring game in what seems to be the start of a successful 2021 season for the Panthers.
It was over when…
The Panthers opened up a 21-0 lead at halftime. Devaughn Mortimer (Featured Image), a Florida State commit, caught a deep pass from junior quarterback Armani Norcius near the sideline, avoided a tackle from the defender in coverage, and took it the distance for a 70-yard touchdown with less than a minute to go in the half.
.@FSUFootball commit @MDevaughn22 is an absolute playmaker. Watch him catch the deep ball and elude the defender for the score. @Dillard_DHS up 21-0 late 2nd quarter over Monarch. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/tw0rN24UuY
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 27, 2021
Mortimer is an elite receiver that made several tough catches look easy. The 2022 receiver was a tough cover for a half as he and many of the starters did not play in the second half.
Mortimer remains fully committed to Florida State as the Seminoles are the only school Mortimer plans to visit this summer although Penn State remains in close contact with the explosive receiver.
The Most Valuable Player
Nyjalik Kelly is a superstar in the making. The (6-5, 240) defensive end only registered one sack but was constantly in the backfield creating pressure on the Monarch quarterback.
(Middle) Nyjalik Kelly, Defensive End, Dillard – Featured Images Courtesy of Chuck Bethel Photography
.@nyjalikkelly is unblockable in @Dillard_DHS’s #springgame against Monarch. In my eyes he’s a 5 ⭐️ player. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/piiitSGEbg
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 27, 2021
Kelly also had several tackles for loss and was held illegally on several occasions. One of his near sacks caused an errant throw that would lead to the Panthers’ second score of the game. Senior linebacker Christian Murphy stepped in front of the short pass and ran in for a 35-yard pick-six.
.@Dillard_DHS Panther @christi11110787 pounces on the football for the pick six. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/jp59dxOUzI
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 27, 2021
Kelly also pressured the quarterback to cause the second interception of the half to junior cornerback Trevaughn Martinez.
Kelly, a previous Florida State commit, recently opened up his recruitment but the Noles still remain high on the list.
“It’s not a bad school,” Kelly said of Florida State. “They’re still number one, I’m just trying to see if they are a good fit for me.”
Kelly does not plan to attend any camps this summer.
Honorable Mentions
Shanard Lo-Ray – The senior (6-3, 250) defensive end for Monarch had himself a night. Lo-Ray had two sacks and about 10 total tackles.
Travis Jean – The senior wideout scored the first touchdown for Dillard taking a short slant for a touchdown.
Senior receiver @JeanEraa scored the first touchdown for @Dillard_DHS when he took this short pass for a touchdown. #springgame @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/o71qUmUuvw
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 27, 2021
Darryl Garrett – The senior receiver used his big (6-4, 185) frame to shield off defenders and was tough to bring down.
Avontae Smith – The senior defensive back for Dillard had several pass break-ups
In previous years, Dade County teams such as Miami Central would end Dillard’s playoff runs. This year, Dillard moves up from class 6A to 7A where the back-to-back defending state champion St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders will seemingly be standing in their way. Dillard certainly has the talent to challenge the mighty Raiders.
“It’s spring, we really didn’t come together as one yet,” said Mortimer. “We got two months to get it right and when we come back, we should dominate every [team] that’s in front of us.”
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