POMPANO BEACH — Dillard senior quarterback Jayden Chico had three touchdown passes, junior wide receiver Anthony Jennings had a touchdown catch and punt return for a score, and the visiting Panthers remained unbeaten as they rolled to a 35-0 victory against Blanche Ely in the annual Soul Bowl on Saturday afternoon.
Dillard (7-0) has outscored its opponents 333-23 this season with five shutouts.
Dillard led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and had a 21-0 advantage at halftime. The Panthers registered six sacks and forced two turnovers on defense in the victory.
Blanche Ely had previously won four consecutive Soul Bowl contests.
“I am just glad we were able to execute,” Dillard coach Demitris Mincey said. “We were able to get back on the winning side of it. I am proud of that. “No matter who we play, we want to win the game. That’s the approach. That’s the mindset.”
Dillard jumped out to a 7-0 advantage and scored on their first possession on offense. Blanche Ely (3-3) committed an offsides penalty on fourth-and-5 at the Tigers 30-yard line to extend the drive. Senior Tyler Coney had a 23-yard catch-and-run for a score called back on a holding penalty. Chico threw a 38-yard scoring pass down the middle of the field to Jennings to open the scoring.
The Panthers had a six-play, 80-yard scoring drive on their third series on offense. Senior Christopher Tillman had a 38-yard run on the drive. Senior running back Anthony Carey rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 11:15 left in the second quarter.
Jennings had a 59-yard punt return for a touchdown to make it 21-0 with 8:06 left in the second.
“It feels good,” Jennings said. “We have not beat them in the past few years. Our coaches said to let’s get our trophy back. That’s what we did.”
The Panthers had another scoring chance on their next possession with starting field position at the Tigers 32-yard line. Dillard failed to capitalize and had a 45-yard field goal attempt blocked.
Blanche Ely senior Adrian Oliver recorded an interception at the Tigers 32 late in the first half.
Dillard had a scoring drive on the opening possession of the second half after Carey stepped up with a 53-yard catch-and-run deep into Tigers territory. Chico fired a 14-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Kyle Brown to push the lead to 28-0 with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
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Dillard senior Kenny Brown recorded an interception on the ensuing possession in Tigers territory. The Panthers offense capitalized on their next series. On third-and-goal, Chico tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tillman to increase the lead to 35-0 with 6:38 left in the third to start a running clock.
Oliver registered his second interception of the contest in the fourth quarter for the Tigers.
Sophomore Sacari Jordan had an interception on the final play of the game for the Panthers.
Blanche Ely senior Ladarius Smith played at quarterback for the Tigers and led the team in rushing yards in the loss.
Dillard senior Demitris Mincey Jr. delivered a strong performance on defense to help lift the Panthers to the shutout win.
Chico, who played for Plantation last season, said he enjoyed participating in his first Soul Bowl contest.
“It’s a great opportunity,”, Chico said. “The alumni at the school is unlike any other, so people coming out to support us. As a team, we’re still hungry. We’re not satisfied.”
Blanche Ely leads the all-time series 29-27-1.
