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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...,5875457.story?coll=sfla-highschool-headlines
High standards at Ely
By Steve Gorten
Staff Writer
Posted September 2 2004
Pompano Beach · Only two have rings. Quarterback Carlton Jackson Jr. and offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson Jr. are the holdovers from Ely's Class 5A state championship team two years ago. The rest of the players, Wilson said, don't know what it's like.
But the Tigers are well aware of the standard they're expected to attain -- and the disappointing end to last season for which they must atone.
"We had a mishap and didn't go as far as we should have," Wilson said. "This year we're so determined."
The Tigers were ranked third in the Class 6A poll when Palm Beach Lakes beat them in the regional quarterfinals. Their only regular-season loss came against St. Thomas Aquinas. A state contender during Steve Davis' final five seasons, they now have Willie Snead as head coach.
"They have a tradition of winning," Snead said. "So do I."
Snead, who played at Glades Central and the University of Florida, inherits a roster with several highly regarded players.
Walter McFadden may be Broward County's best cover cornerback and tight end Michael Holton, though not established in part because of Ely's run-oriented past, is rated the Southeast's 51st-best player in Sporting News/School Sports' national preseason publication. He caught three passes for 36 yards and one touchdown during the regular season last year.
Jackson will start for the third consecutive year, and the Tigers plan to rotate several running backs behind him, notably Devon James and Laron Graham. Snead said he has been most surprised by receiver Ed McIntosh, whom he called polished and a hard worker. McIntosh had four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown last season.
Jackson, who passed for 1,144 yards and 13 touchdowns with eight interceptions last season, is the centerpiece of an offense Snead has reworked. So far, he has picked up the new schemes well, Snead said.
"Carlton is very important," he said. "He's a big part of our offense and how it's going to run."
Ely used the run-based wing-T in recent years, largely because of Tyrone Moss, but spent this preseason working on "plays that confuse you," Wilson said. "So many fakes, it's going to surprise some people."
Snead said considering the load he has given players to digest, he has kept things simple so far. The defending District 7-6A champs are favorites to repeat, with a game against Deerfield Beach likely to decide their fate.
"I strongly believe we're going back to state," Wilson said. "We have a lot of talent on this team."