Soul Bowl 2013 Preview

    The Dillard Panthers and the Blanche Ely Tigers will meet at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale for the regular season finale Soul Bowl on Saturday night. Both schools won their district titles prior to their annual contest held in Broward County. The Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak in this rivalry last year with a 22-6 victory over the Tigers.
    Dillard(7-2) captured the District 15-6A title and will host Carol City at Otis Gray Jr. Memorial Stadium in a regional quarterfinal on November 15. The Panthers enter this game with a seven-game winning streak after they lost their first two games of the regular season to Plantation and Stephenville.
    Quarterback Bud Martin will dictate the pace for the Panthers offense and running back Eddie Roberts is needed for numerous carries from the backfield. Wide receivers Dennis Turner and Elijah Johnson should spread the field and are expected to bring in many catches.
    Blanche Ely(4-5) returned back to the FHSAA playoffs this year as they won the District 14-7A crown. The Tigers lost their first four games of the regular season and bounced back as they were victorious in four of their five games, which includes a current three-game winning streak. They will play a home game on November 15 against the West Boca Raton Bulls in a regional quarterfinal.
    Passing the ball will be the main emphasis for the Tigers with Nelson Ervin as quarterback. Among the players to look for to make receptions are wide receivers Laderrick Smith, Chazton McKenzie, Kenneth Rawls and Edward Walker. Running back Terrance Blands will get his share rushing attempts.