By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
FORT LAUDERDALE – For the second consecutive year offense defined the outcome of the high school football game between Pembroke Pines West Broward and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
But there was single play that shifted the outcome in favor of the Bobcats that led them to a 49-38 non-district victory on Monday night.
It was West Broward’s fourth consecutive victory after opening the season with a pair of losses to out of state opponents.
Seconds after a successful goal-line stand inside the one-yard line, West Broward quarterback Brandon Mincy connected on a 99-yard touchdown pass to Amir Sears with 54 seconds left in the opening quarter. It broke an early 7-7 tie, and the Bobcats never relinquished the lead.
“We knew we were going to get single coverage because they were going to blitz everybody,” said West Broward coach Brian McCartney. “We knew we were going to get Sears on the outside and he did what he was supposed to do.”
“I just threw it up and let him [Sears] make the play,” said Mincy. “Once I saw him juggle the ball and catch it, I knew it was a touchdown.”
Like last year’s 43-39 West Broward victory over Gibbons, there was plenty of offense on display on both sides.
Junior running back Amos Bradford, who rushed for 237 yards in last year’s win over Gibbons, had 172 yards on 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns on Monday. He was joined by Daquon Adderly with 120 yards on 13 carries and two more scores.
“We are redefining our run game and that we need to do to make a state championship run,” said McCartney. “We’re undefeated in Florida.”
Bradford’s second touchdown gave the Bobcats a 34-10 lead early in the second half.
Then came the Chiefs furious attempt to make a comeback.
With the Chiefs (3-2) inability to slow down the Bobcats (4-2) run game, they relied on an efficient passing game led by senior quarterback Jayden Torres to remain at striking distance of the Bobcats lead of 27-10 at the half.
Torres completed 31 of 44 attempts for 375 yards for the game and had four second half touchdowns. His scoring passes went to four different receivers – two to Merrick Toddich (8 catches for 152) and one to Luke Cichoski and junior standout Demarcus Deroche.
Senior Gary Hadley finished with seven catches for 114 yards.
In last year’s loss to West Broward, the Chiefs finished with 531 yards, compared to 388 Monday night. The Bobcats had 529 yards a year ago with 347 on the ground. They rushed for 363 yards, finishing with a total of 564 on Monday.
Dave Brousseau is a veteran journalist who worked at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Need to reach out to him? Contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.