Dillard Gets Runner-Up Spot

    The battle for the District 15-5A runner-up spot was captured by the Dillard Panthers Monday night at The Furnace in Fort Lauderdale. The Panthers picked up 6-0 victories over the Hallandale Chargers and the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs. They will play a first-round FHSAA playoff game on the road in two weeks against the defending Class 5A state champion Norland Vikings.
    As the host school, Cardinal Gibbons(7-2, 2-2) had the initial bye because they had the best overall record among the participating squads. Dillard(4-5, 2-2) and Hallandale(4-4, 2-2) played in the first one-quarter game at Dr. Bud Tight Field.
    Dre'sean Nelson of the Panthers took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown 16 seconds into the game. He went up the middle until midfield then cut to the left side and went down the sideline for the score. The extra point by Rolbens Cierjuste was wide left and Dillard had a 6-0 lead.
    The Chargers began their only possession, which lasted over nine minutes, at their own 28-yard line and were able to move the ball deep into Dillard territory. They got a first down on a fourth-and-four from the Panthers eight-yard line when the defense was called for offsides. The 17-play, 67-yard drive ended with 2:31 remaining as Tyler Huntley threw an incomplete pass out of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal from the Dillard five-yard line.
    With a third-and-ten situation, Lee Martin wrapped the first game up as he ran through the middle 11 yards on a quarterback keeper for a first down. The ball came loose at the end of the play, but the officials ruled him down.
    The Panthers began the second one-quarter game against Cardinal Gibbons at their own 20. On a third-and-11 at the Panthers 19, Nelson got a screen pass and raced down the sideline 60 yards to the Chiefs 21-yard line. Nelson finished the eight-play, 80-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run around the right end for a 6-0 lead with 6:52 left. The extra point by Cierjuste was blocked by the Chiefs.
    Cardinal Gibbons started their possession at their own 12 with Ryan Giaratano in at quarterback. They got a first down on the second play, then went three-and-out before punting the ball away with five minutes to go.
    Dillard took over at their own 38-yard line. On third down, Martin threw a pass 20 yards downfield that was intercepted by Demetrious Amerson and he returned it to the Panthers 43-yard line at 3:21.
    Peyton Bender entered the game for Giaratano on the Chiefs next drive and completed passes of 18 yards and eight yards to Travon Lee on their first two plays. They got the ball to the Panthers seven-yard line and had a third-and-two. Following an incomplete pass to Lee, split receiver David Senior was called for a false start to bring the ball back five yards. On a fourth-and-seven from the Dillard 12-yard line, Bender's pass sailed over everyone out of the back of the end zone with 1:10 remaining.
    Dillard makes their first postseason appearance since 2008 in Class 5A. They beat McArthur in the first round 47-0 then lost at St. Thomas Aquinas in the second round 49-8. Cardinal Gibbons will miss the FHSAA playoffs for the first time since 2004.