Fort Lauderdale High - A Great Success Story

[OldSchoolLion]

The Fort Lauderdale Flying L's completed the 2018 season with an 8-2 record with a 22-0 victory over Stranahan.  This is their first winning season since 2005.  Richard Dunbar is in his ninth season as the head football coach there.  In his first season, the Flying L’s went 0-10 against a schedule including 6 FHSAA playoff teams. More important than wins and losses, Dunbar went about changing the culture of Flying L’s Football in 2011, stressing accountability and discipline from his players on and off the field, while continuing to encourage his young men to persevere athletically and academically.

Dunbar came to his high school alma mater in 2006 and served as the JV Coach after a one-year stint as OL coach at his college alma mater, Webber International U.  He served in various coaching roles at FLHS until being appointed HC.  In a county known for coaching turnover, Coach Dunbar is a rarity.  He is amongst the most tenured coaches in Broward County.  Most impressive is that he invested in the school for the long term, and has endured some rough times and losing seasons.  Praise should also be given to the FLHS administration and fans for having the patience to allow him to build a program.  Many folks don't understand that it normally takes 5+ years for a coach to build a sustainable program.

The Flying L's appear to have a good chance of making the playoffs in 7A-R4.  They have not won a playoff game since appearing in the 2A state final in 1966, over 50 years ago.  Will this be their year?  Let's hope they can get a playoff win, because this team and coach has really paid their dues and been persistent.

Coach Dunbar is married to Jacquisa and they have seven children.

[Trelle]

Besides Vero who was there other loss to Lion? 

[DarterBlue2]

5 minutes ago, Trelle said:

Besides Vero who was there other loss to Lion? 

St. Thomas Aquinas. 

[nolebull813]

Ft Lauderdale High is the oldest team still playing football in Broward County. 

Dania High later named South Broward would come shortly after. 

[DisabledAccount]

34 minutes ago, nolebull813 said:

Ft Lauderdale High is the oldest team still playing football in Broward County. 

Dania High later named South Broward would come shortly after. 

How long St Thomas Aquinas been around? 

[nolebull813]

6 hours ago, ColumbiaHighFan2017class said:

How long St Thomas Aquinas been around? 

They started out as St Anthony in 1946. Then were called Central Catholic in 1952, and we're finally named St Thomas Aquinas in 1961

[nolebull813]

I have the every Broward team's first year starting football. 

Its insane the explosion in population in the 60's and 70's. 

I will post all the teams first year 

[nolebull813]

Here is the list. I don't have the exact first year for Ely and Dillard because the all black schools are hard to track all the exact info. I have scores for both teams that date back to the 50's but I assume they are earlier. Here is everyone else in order. 

Ft Lauderdale 1923 

South Broward 1929

Pompano Beach 1940 

STA 1946

Pine Crest 1956

Stranahan 1956

McArthur 1957

Cardinal Gibbons 1962

Chaminade 1962

Nova 1964

Plantation 1964

Hollywood Hills 1967

Deerfield Beach 1970

Miramar 1970

South Plantation 1971

Cooper City 1971

Coconut Creek 1971

Boyd Anderson 1971

Piper 1971

Hollywood Christian 1973

Gold Coast Christian 1973

Hallandale 1974

Westminter Academy 1974

Broward Christian 1975 

Highlands Christian 1975

Coral Springs 1976

Taravella 1981

AHP 1981

Western 1981

Douglas 1990

Zion Lutheran 1991 

Flanagan 1996 

North Broward Prep 1998

Coral Springs Christian 1998

Archbishop McCarthy 1999

Coral Springs Charter 2000 

Pembroke Pines Charter 2001

Everglades 2003

Cypress Bay 2003

Upperrom Christian 2003 

Parkway Academy 2004

Coral Glades 2005

University 2006

West Broward 2008

[THIS_IS_DILLARD]

3 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Here is the list. I don't have the exact first year for Ely and Dillard because the all black schools are hard to track all the exact info. I have scores for both teams that date back to the 50's but I assume they are earlier. Here is everyone else in order. 

Ft Lauderdale 1923 

South Broward 1929

Pompano Beach 1940 

STA 1946

Pine Crest 1956

Stranahan 1956

McArthur 1957

Cardinal Gibbons 1962

Chaminade 1962

Nova 1964

Plantation 1964

Hollywood Hills 1967

Deerfield Beach 1970

Miramar 1970

South Plantation 1971

Cooper City 1971

Coconut Creek 1971

Boyd Anderson 1971

Piper 1971

Hollywood Christian 1973

Gold Coast Christian 1973

Hallandale 1974

Westminter Academy 1974

Broward Christian 1975 

Highlands Christian 1975

Coral Springs 1976

Taravella 1981

AHP 1981

Western 1981

Douglas 1990

Zion Lutheran 1991 

Flanagan 1996 

North Broward Prep 1998

Coral Springs Christian 1998

Archbishop McCarthy 1999

Coral Springs Charter 2000 

Pembroke Pines Charter 2001

Everglades 2003

Cypress Bay 2003

Upperrom Christian 2003 

Parkway Academy 2004

Coral Glades 2005

University 2006

West Broward 2008

Dillard first year of existence was 1907 bro

[nolebull813]

3 hours ago, THIS_IS_DILLARD said:

Dillard first year of existence was 1907 bro

I'm talking about first year for football. These are the first years for the football teams. 

[nolebull813]

I got Dillard football going back to at least 1937