Lodge TDs, Zanders pick-six keep Monarch perfect

Bryan Lodge scored three rushing touchdowns, but it was Travon Zanders’ 85-yard interception return that sealed the game as Monarch defeated Coconut Creek 33-6.

Monarch was desperately trying to hang on to a 20-6 lead late in the game as Coconut Creek was threating to make it a one-score game with less than four minutes to go.

But Zanders picked off Amer Ellis’ pass and took it to thehouse to clinch the game and keep the Knights undefeated.

“He’d been trying to get me with a pump fake all game,” said Zanders. “I read it, saw the ball in the air and got it. I wanted to score... I knew they couldn’t catchme.”

Monarch’s defense was strong most of the game as it took a 20-0 lead behind the play of defensive end Shanard Lo-Ray.

But when backup quarter back DeShawn McEachern entered the game, the Cougars found the spark they needed. He led them on an eight-play drive, capped by his 15-yard touchdownrun.

On their next series, he guided them to the Monarch 25, but injured his ankle and had to leave the game. On the very next play, Zanders picked off Ellis.

“That interception was huge, it took everything out of them,” said Monarch coach Dante Lombardi. “We really needed it because they were passing all over us.”

Lodge finished with 144 yards passing, 61 yards rushing and three scores, and Jerrell Mash added 103 yards on the ground.

“Our goal is to go undefeated, but getting the win [against Creek], especially with what happened last year, really gives us momentum going into the playoffs,” added Dante Lombardi.