Points coming in bunches
Five teams lighting up scoreboards in early part of season
University School quarterback Sean White inherited a group of talented teammates when he transferred there this past spring, including a pair of big- play running backs in Jordan Scarlett and LaJuan Hunt and a dynamic receiving duo in Sam Bruce and Chris Taylor.
White and a talented line in front of him have made the Suns’ offense explosive once again. The defending Class 3A state champions, who are in Class 4A this season, have averaged 50.5 points through the first four games, including 61points against Taravella in the season opener. Expect a high- scoring game against Boyd Anderson on Friday night aswell.
And yet entering Week 5 of the high school football season, they weren’t even the greatest offensive show in Broward County, at least statistically. That title belonged to
Hallandale, which was averaging 53 points in the game entering Thursday night’s game at Coconut Creek. Only two other teams in the state — Seffner Christian ( 58) and Apopka ( 54) — were averaging more points than Hallandale and University entering thisweek’s action.
“I knew we were going to put up points, but I didn’t honestly think we’d put up the points that we’ve been putting up,” Hallandale coach Dameon Jones said.
Hallandale’s opposition — McArthur, Hollywood Hills, South Broward and Pembroke Pines Charter— hasn’t been challenging, but the results have been impressive with sophomore Tyler Huntley, running back Taj McGowan and receivers Neru N’Sha-ka and Chris Cotto leading the attack.
Another surprising offense has been Deerfield Beach’s. The Bucks, who will host district rival Coral Springs on Saturday, have averaged 43.3 points per game in a 3- 0 start while beating Northeast, Blanche Ely and Douglas by a combined score of 130- 37.
Running back Aeron McNeal, who has rushed for a team- high seven touchdowns, must sit out thegamedueto a state rule for getting ejected from last week’s game against Douglas as a result of two personal fouls. That shouldn’t be an issue with the presence of two other threats — running back Brandon Powell, a University of Miami commitment and Sun Sentinel Super 11 preseason selection, and quarterback Danarious Graham.
“Last year, we just had a running game, but this year we’ve got us a quarterback and now we can spread it out and throw the ball, so teams don’t know what we’re going to do,” Powell said. “That’s helping us a lot this year.”
Powell said the chemistry between him, McNeal and Graham ( friends since they were kids), and an abundance of athletes, have helped the Bucks post a lot of points. A new offensive coordinator also has been a factor, coach Allen Jackson noted.
Cardinal Gibbons has been stout as well, averaging 37.5 points in four games while shutting out three of its four opponents. The Chiefs have one of the best quarterback- receiver combos around with Peyton Bender, a Washington State commit, and Trevon Lee. Monarch( 4- 0) is averaging 35.3 points with junior quarterback Michael Harris leading the county in passing yardage ( 1,334).
White has passed for 871 yards while tossing 15 touchdowns, including five each to Bruce ( 22 catches, 364 yards) and Taylor ( 15 catches, 238 yards).
Liburd making an impression
Piper junior Travis Liburd has been one of the county’s breakout players thus far, rushing 60 times for 569 yards and six touchdowns in just three games, including back- toback 200- yard- plus efforts. He also has 189 yards and two touchdowns receiving.
“He’s one of those kids that can stop on a dime. He can stop and start and he’s at full speed in two strides,” said Piper coach Roger
Mitchell. “And he wants the ball.”
Mitchell’s favorite Liburd highlight this season was a 65- yard run against Monarch during which he broke three tackles near the sideline, spun 360 degrees and cut all the way across the field.