What A Turnaround For Ely

Last year at this time – after his first season as head coach at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, Mike Bailey was watching the playoffs, getting his seniors ready for college and looking back at a disappointing 1-9 season.   Over the next five months until spring, he pushed his returning players to stay busy in other sports or devote the time to getting bigger and stronger. They all listened.   What happened over the next three months was something that just does not happen. The Tigers worked hard, finished spring and looked toward the summer.   When they took part in a referee scrimmage in the second week of August, they began to get attention when they emerged with a two-quarter win against two-time defending state champion Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. While that Saturday afternoon scrimmage meant little to most, it was just about everything for a program that has been looking to turn the corner and return to the glory days.   During the next 11 weeks, this program played hard and won games. Ten to be exact, and when they travel to play national powerhouse Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (11-0) this Saturday night, they realize they are up against a program that has won at an amazing pace.   While they come in as huge underdogs, the Tigers have already exceeded expectations, so they are playing with house money and nothing to lose.   This team boasts a gifted and talented class that starts with Class of 2023 safety Harlem Howard, a 6-2, 180-pounder who may be as good as anyone in the state. He is joined by defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='128640' first='Kamari' last='Frederick'] (6-0, 280) and quarterback Nahcoy Daniels (5-10, 165).   In addition, the senior class also includes prospects such as Omari Campbell (CB, 5-10, 170), Joshua Daniel (LB, 5-10, 180), Jayvin Farley (LB/DS, 5-11, 190), A.J. Foulkes (OL, 6-0, 305), Treyvion Gilbert (SS, 5-11, 170), Xavier Gunn (CB, 6-0, 180), Roscoe Harris (OL, 6-0, 250), Jayvin James (OL, 6-6, 255), Alejandro Jean-Baptiste (LB, 5-11, 220), [player_tooltip player_id='128399' first='Ke'shawn' last='Jones'] (WR, 5-8 165), Jesus Josey (QB, 6-0, 180), Xavier Marshall (LB, 5-10, 180) and receiver Lerry Moise (5-7, 155).   The Tigers also look to Rackweon Pericles (DT, 6-2, 300), Lebron Pete (OL, 6-3, 350), Cedric Ward (KR/RB, 5-8, 185) standout [player_tooltip player_id='128532' first='Marcus' last='Williams'] Jr. (WR, 6-0, 200) and running back Tyrone Wright (5-10, 170)   UNDERCLASSMEN CONTRIBUTING NOW   While the senior class is making plenty of noise, the juniors (2024) are also turning heads with prospects such as Gabby Almonord Jr. (DB, 6-0, 175), Marqus Braddy (LB, 5-11, 175), Quincy Classeus (DE, 6-2, 205), Leonard Ester (WR, 5-9, 175), Marquise Harry (DB, 5-10, 170), Thomas Howard (OL, 6-1, 200), Cornelius Jordan (WR, 6-0, 160), Zachary Joseph (DB, 6-0, 160), Kenny Legentus (OG, 5-10, 190), Kindly Lorneus (DT, 5-10, 195) and running back Edward McIntosh (5-11, 180).   The class also features Richard Nembhard (DT/OG, 5-10, 190), Jordan Saintilus (S, 6-0, 175), Deon Wiggins (Athlete, 5-9, 180), Chase Williams (DL, 5-10, 220) and gifted receiver [player_tooltip player_id='404577' first='Marcel' last='Williams'] (6-0, 190).   The future also looks promising with Class of 2025 sophomores Wendell Brown Jr. (WR, 6-2, 180), gifted Elijah D'oleo (WR, 6-1, 180), Johnathan Edwards (DE, 6-0, 220), Richard Hollis (WR, 5-10, 165), Jeremiah Hoston (OL, 6-1, 340), [player_tooltip player_id='1323255' first='Kamari' last='Huggins'] (Athlete, 5-10, 175), Harry Lewis (LB, 5-10, 180), Roudly Lormeus (DB, 5-10, 170), Herb Merceron (DB, 5-10, 155), Devin Peeples (DT, 5-10, 205), Jaylen Prophette (RB, 5-6, 160), David Tirogene (DT/OG, 5-10, 190), Tavares Tookes (OT, 6-1, 225) and Antonio Ward (DB, 5-9, 180).   Speaking of the future, the Tigers are also preparing the freshman class (2026) as well. Keep an eye on Cameron Davis (LB, 6-0, 205), Christian Davis (DB, 5-11, 170), Kenson Lewis (WR, 5-9, 170), Omari McNeal (QB, 5-11, 165), Desean Miller (DE, 6-0, 180) and defensive back Keenan Tookes (5-10, 175).   THE TIGERS (10-0)   LAUDERDALE LAKES BOYD ANDERSON, W 32-0   WESTON CYPRESS BAY, W 42-7   Coral Springs, W 42-0   Coconut Creek, W 28-21   FORT LAUDERDALE, W 28-16   Deerfield Beach, W 7-0   Sunrise Piper, W 38-14   WEST BOCA RATON, W 47-12   PALM BEACH GARDENS DWYER, W 28-0   Fort Lauderdale Dillard, W 19-14   You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

Last year at this time – after his first season as head coach at Pompano Beach Blanche Ely, Mike Bailey was watching the playoffs, getting his seniors ready for college and looking back at a disappointing 1-9 season.