PAHOKEE – The Blue Devils were able to escape a second half surge by Ely to win 16-6 in their spring game.
Pahokee started off fast with the first score coming on an 80-yard touchdown run by running back Ja’tarie Washington. The rising senior will be a staple in the Pahokee offense this fall.
Pahokee running back Leroy Love would score late in the first half on a handoff out of the backfield and break off a couple of tackles to extend his team’s lead before halftime.
Deante Nelson will be another player to watch on this Pahokee team. He’s the veteran leader and makes his presence felt every time he touches the field.
The Pahokee athlete had a interception on defense, and also saw some action at quarterback.
Another standout was Pahokee defensive back Geoffrey McKelton Jr. a.k.a ‘G-baby’, who caught his first interception of his high school career against the Tigers.
“I never thought I’d get one this early in the year,” McKelton said. “It felt amazing.”
Ely has some talent despite its youth as a team. James Wallace Jr. is the starting quarterback and scored the Tigers lone touchdown midway through the third quarter on a quarterback draw.
Ely defensive back Davon Bradshaw will also be a player to watch. In tonight’s contest Bradshaw came up with an interception to stop a Pahokee drive in the first half.
Ely’s defense kept them in the game as they came up with multiple fumble recoveries and two interceptions. The Tigers fought hard and kept the Blue Devils scoreless in the second half.
Pahokee is loaded with homegrown talent, and it will be interesting to see what the team does this fall. After last year’s playoff loss to eventual Class 1A state champion Madison County, the Blue Devils definitely have a chip on their shoulder.
The combination of running backs Ja’tarie Washington, Leroy Love, LaVonski Williams, and stud offensive lineman Deshawn Richardson will be a lethal combination for Pahokee’s running game.
Head coach Orson Walkes offered some insight as to what we should expect from his team this fall.
“Anything less than a state championship, we’ll be disappointed,” Walkes said. “We have 22 seniors, and every one of them has the ability to play at the next level.”
