Sports: It's no secret what Ely likes to do: run

It's no secret what Ely likes to do: run

Tigers running back Tyrone Moss has 918 yards and 10 touchdowns in four playoff games.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer

The numbers were not flashed up on the Pompano Beach Ely game tape that Wharton watched, but news like this travels fast.

Ely running back Tyrone Moss, who recently committed to Miami, has rushed for 100 yards or more in 36 consecutive games. In four playoff games, he has gained 918 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His worst performance of the four: 191 yards.

Moss doesn't need more incentive to score during Friday night's Class 5A state final against Wharton, but he is hoping for at least three touchdowns in order to tie the state record for most career touchdowns at 107. University of Florida running back Willie Green, formerly of Kissimmee Osceola, holds the record after topping the mark of Dallas Cowboy and former Escambia great Emmitt Smith. "It's no secret who's getting the ball," Wharton assistant coach Mike Usry said.

"That's Tyrone Moss. And they just pound and pound you, and that's mostly up the right side."

The Wildcats will have a tough time with that right side, and not just because Moss is running that way. Protecting Moss will be 6-foot-5, 325-pound right tackle Cyrim Wimbs, who has also committed to Miami, and 6-3, 335-pound right guard Andrew Bain.

It's the signature of the Tigers offense: push up the right side, run as much as possible, and when the defense stacks up on the right, Moss scampers to the left.

Ely's offensive line, which includes five seniors who average 300 pounds, is perhaps the main reason Moss is ranked the No. 3 tailback in the country by Rivals.com, a recruiting Web site.

"He's not the type of kid who's looking at that stuff right now, though," Ely coach Steve Davis said. "He's a team-oriented guy. He's had a lot of accolades this season, but right now, he just wants to win this game."

The Tigers are willing to utilize their passing game if they need to, but probably won't if Moss is successful. Sophomore Carlton Jackson has been filling in at quarterback for senior Jerreld Tolbert, who broke his collarbone in the eighth game, but Davis said there's a chance Tolbert might be back Friday night.

Wharton might not have as many Division I prospects as Ely, but Davis said that doesn't matter at this stage. College football is in the future, and anything could happen in a state title game.

"Obviously, Wharton has a very good team," Davis said. "They only gave up three points last week against Mainland, and they beat Lakeland, a perennial state powerhouse.

"We're definitely not taking them lightly. Whenever you get this far, it comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes."