Dillard rallies for late score in win over McCarthy

FORT LAUDERDALE – Quick scores and special teams were the keys as Dillard (3-3) outlasted visiting Archbishop McCarthy 26-18 in a District 15-6A showdown. The Panthers took an early 8-0 lead after Keyondre White rushed in from 7 yards out, capping Dillard’s opening six-play, 67-yard drive.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Mavericks Marquis Edwards sprinted through the Panthers kickoff coverage for a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown to make it 8-6.

McCarthy’s second touchdown gave the Mavericks a 12-8 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the first half when Jesse Rivera tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Corbijn.

The McCarthy (2-4) lead was short-lived, on the next play, the Panthers took a 14-12 lead when Moise Francois lofted a short pass to Joshua Freeman who streaked down the sideline for a 72-yard touchdown with only 14 seconds left in the first half.

Another great special teams play started the second half as Dillard’s Damarkus Everett returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Panthers lead to 20-12.

Late in the third quarter, the Mavericks Jacob Baptiste rushed for a 21-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-18 Panthers.

Early in the fourth quarter, White, who ran for 132 yards, scampered into the end zone from 5 yards out to cap the scoring and give Dillard the final margin.