Playoff Game Preview - State Final vs. Tampa Plant

The 2011 Football Season started in August, with teams hitting the fields all over the State of Florida, working towards the ultimate goal: A State Championship. After the preseason classics, 11 weeks of regular season action, and 4 weeks of intense playoff competition, we have finally arrived at the last Championship weekend of the year.

After classes 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A had their Championship games last weekend, classes 5A, 6A, and 7A will have theirs on Friday and Saturday, all leading up to the final game of the High School Football Season in the State of Florida: the Class 8A Championship game between the H.B. Plant Panthers and the Miramar Patriots.

The Big Boys.

This week, since it’s the last Football Preview article of the year, with the most importance of all, I’m going to structure this article a little differently, so that I can give you the most comprehensive look at these teams as I possibly can. Without further ado, let’s get to it:

Plant Panthers (13-1, 3-0 District 6-8A, District Champion, Regional Champion (Region 2))
Playoffs: Defeated Orlando Boone 54-21 in Regional Quarterfinal, Defeated Orlando Dr. Phillips 49-13 in Regional Semifinal, Defeated Tampa East Lake 28-21 (Overtime) in Regional Final, Defeated Neptune Beach Fletcher 26-7 in State Semifinal

Coaching and Team History

Leading the Plant Panthers is Coach Robert Weiner. This is a veteran coach, who has worked tirelessly to turn this program from a 3 win team into the perennial powerhouse they have become. Weiner’s teams have been incredibly successful, reaching the State Championship game in 5 of the last 6 seasons, winning Championships in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

The Panthers have had top Division 1 level talent throughout their rise to prominence. Quarterbacks Robert Marve, Phillip Ely, and Aaron Murray were HS All-Americans who played or are playing college ball at Miami/Purdue, Alabama, and Georgia, respectively. Tight End Orson Charles has joined with his former teammate Murray at Georgia, and has been a matchup nightmare for SEC defenses since his first day on campus. Running Back James Wilder Jr. had an amazing season at Florida State as a True Freshman this season, and could potentially start for the Seminoles next year.

With talent such as Marve, Ely, Murray, Charles, and Wilder Jr., it’s easy to see how the Panthers have been able to win lots of games, and championships. Their physical abilities are noteworthy, but the instruction they have received from Weiner and his staff has enabled those players to become the household names at the Collegiate level that they are.

Since going 3-7 in 2004, Weiner has led the Panthers to an impressive 87-11 record, which translates into a 89% winning percentage. The 98 games they have played in the last 7 years is close to the maximum possible, and is a tribute to many long marches into the playoffs.

Weiner, who serves as Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, and QB coach, gets most of the headlines, the 

rest of the coaching staff has also played a major role in the development of this team. T.J. Lane (WR), Sean Love (OLine), Rob Smith (RB), and Jeff Murphy (TE) add high level coaching to the offensive side of the ball.

On Defense, there are even more coaches who are ready to give quality instruction to the players. Co-Defensive Coordinators John Few and Matt Johnson also coach a position (Few –LB, Johnson – DB), and are joined by Billy Minahan (DLine), Bo Puckett (DB) and Hank Brown (LB) give this team a wealth of playing and coaching experience to draw from.

On most teams, Special Teams is an afterthought. At Plant, they are a key element to a quality football program. With Matt Walker (Special Teams Coach) and Tyler Rhodes (K/P) on the job, Plant has steadily put top level kickers on the field, and that has aided the team in the field position battle for years.

Overall, the coaching staff at Plant is experienced, talented, and able to effectively motivate their players to achieve the highest levels of athletic success. They will undoubtedly have the Panthers prepared for the State Championship game, and they are excited at the prospect of raising their 4^th State Championship Trophy in the last 6 years.

Offense

Manning the QB position is Senior James Few. He and his brother (Junior Kicker William) are sons of the Defensive Coordinator. Few the Quarterback is a very cerebral player, obviously the result of being a coach’s son. He is also one of the top students in his class, having earned a 6.12 GPA so far in his HS career. That level of academic achievement has allowed Few to be recruited by several Ivy League schools, and also helped him to make smart, sound decisions with the football this season.

Through the 2^nd round of the playoffs, Few had thrown for 2100 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. With 2 more solid games under his belt, those numbers are now closer to 2600 yards and 30+ Touchdowns. While he may not be the same caliber of college prospect that Marve, Ely, and Murray were, Few has made a name for himself as a solid player, who is more than capable of winning ballgames when needed.

When Few has thrown the ball, he has generally looked toward Seniors Receiver Austin Aiken and Junior Running Back Wesley Bullock. Aiken is the top receiver target in the passing game. He has good height at 6’1’’, and he makes even the most difficult catches seem routine. With over 700 yards and 13 touchdowns going into the State Championship game, his production has matched his physicality. Bullock, the leading running back, has over 400 yards receiving on the year, numbers which are a testament to his variegated talents.

Also adding to the passing attack are Junior Dereck Mann (5’11’’, 150lbs), Senior Daniel Casselli  (6’3’’, 195lbs) and Sophomore Alex Jackson (5’8’’, 168). Each is a talented athlete who has the ability to impact the game with a big play at a moment’s notice. While they have all had almost identical numbers through the season and playoffs, any one of these players could have a big play, or a big game, at any time.

When Bullock is running the ball, he is a High School version of NFL Star Darren Sproles, standing a modest 5’6’’, and weighing 150 pounds, Bullock doesn’t have the look of a starting Running Back. But, what he may lack in immense physicality he makes up for with blazing speed, incredible quickness, and almost clairvoyant field vision, traits which enable him to see and hit holes and creases in defenses that other backs may not be able to identify. Bullock has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, and has provided balance to the Panther offense.

Bullock is not the only dangerous running back on the Plant roster. Senior Antonio Crawford has rushed for over 500 yards and 6 touchdowns, with Junior Paris Bostick adding another 200 yards. Backup quarterback Aaron Banks has rushed for over 250 yards, and can add an option dimension to the offense, if needed. The Plant rushing attack has gained more than 2600 yards to this point of the season, and when paired with the prolific passing attack forms a formidable system that teams have struggled to contain for the better part of a decade.

Overall, the offense for Plant has averaged over 400 yards per game, and 37 points per game. While turnovers were not really a factor in the regular season (save the Armwood game), they have been a bit of an issue in the post season. Obviously, no team wants to turn the ball over, and the Panthers will look to keep possession of the ball in the State Championship game against the Patriots.

Defense

There’s an old football adage that “Defense Wins Championships”, and Plant has worked diligently to make that saying become a reality.

Usually, strong defenses start with a dominant line that abuses the offense and imposes its will at the point of attack. However, this Plant team is built around a playmaker with singular skills: Senior Linebacker Mike Tate. On the season, Tate has been credited with more than 200 tackles, 14 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, 2 recovered fumbles, and 11 passes defended. Those numbers may seem inflated to some, but the impact this senior leader has had on the Plant Defense is not. Anytime the Panthers need a play, it is inevitably Tate who is the one to step up and make it. He leads by example, not by voice, and his play has spoken louder than many thought possible.

Aiding Tate in his pursuit to stop opposing offense and control the game physically are another set of brothers: Senior Tate Rogers and Junior Reeves Rogers. These physical Linebackers have combined for over 200 tackles and 14 sacks on the season. That trio of players has worked incredibly hard to hone their skills and knowledge, and they swarm to the ball like few groups of Linebackers in the High School game can.

Up front on the Defensive Line, Senior Patrick Wright is the headliners. With over 50 tackles and 12 sacks on the year, Wright has put pressure on opposing quarterbacks since game 1, and he has been a monster off the edge, disrupting the opposition and their well laid plans. Also aiding at the point of attack is Senior Michael Dvornik, who comes into the State Championship game with 10 sacks. The tandem of Wright and Dvornik presents multiple problems at the point of attack, and these players will look to occupy linemen so the Linebackers can run free, and make plays, much the same as they have all season long.

Wright and Dvornik will work with Juniors Mitchell Wright and Eliel Shines to provide pressure up front. This duo has combined for another 120 tackles, along with 12 sacks to really stifle offenses up front. Between the Wright boys (who may be brothers, this was unconfirmed at the time this article published), Shines, and Dvornik, Plant has a strong group up front who have wreaked havoc on offenses all year long, and they will do everything in their power to knock Miramar off of their game.

In the secondary, Seniors David Lerom, Drew Madhu, and Keenan Stales, are the backbone of a stingy pass defense. The trio has combined with the other Defensive Backs to allow less than 2,000 yards passing on the season (143 yards per game). They find a way to constantly disrupt the offense, and have come away with a fair amount of interceptions. They know the angles of the passing game well, and their athleticism allows for them to simply read and react to the ball.

Offensive Skill players Antonio Crawford and Paris Bostick have also seen extensive action in the secondary, and their physical skills has allowed them to positively contribute to the defense as a whole.

For the season, the defense has only surrendered 240 yards per game and 13 points per game. Those numbers are among the best in the State, and the Panthers will look to the aforementioned players, and more, to ensure that they have a similarly spectacular performance come Saturday night.

Special Teams

The third phase of the game gets little recognition until something goes wrong. In the case of Plant’s team, there has been little that has been wrong with this unit throughout the season.

Senior Kicker Grant van Amant has been both steady and spectacular this season. He has made 95% of his extra points, and 12 field goals on the year. His powerful leg is a weapon for the Panthers, and they have used it with great success so far this year. In the State Semifinal, van Amant connected on 4 field goals, with a long of 52 yards. Anytime the offense with inside the 35 yard-line, he is a threat to come onto the field and boom one through the uprights, just as he has for this entire season.

As previously mentioned, Junior Will Few, younger brother of the quarterback James, is the backup kicker. He has appeared games this year, and has made 98% of his extra points, while splitting his 2 field goal attempts. He figures to be a key player next year when van Amant departs for college.

The punting duties have been split between van Amant and Junior Lawson Tripp. The pair has combined to average 35 yards per punt, while having pinned the opposition inside the 20 yard line 6 times on the year. Performance like that will need to continue in the State Championship game, as the Panthers look to pin Miramar deep in their own territory, and force the Patriots to drive a long field before having any opportunity to put points on the board.

If you were to look up the definition of a complete team, one that boasts top level coaching, an explosive offense, and physical defense, and skilled kickers, Plant would be right there. This is a complete team, and they will look to showcase their many talents on the field of the Citrus Bowl as they play for their 4^th State Championship in 6 years.

Miramar Patriots (13-0, 5-0 District 12-8A, District Champion, Regional Champion (Region 3))
Playoff: Defeated South Plantation 38-0 in Regional Quarterfinal, Defeated Cypress Bay 23-7 in Regional Semifinal, Defeated Palm Beach Gardens 35-7 in Regional Final, Defeated Miami Columbus 14-6 in State Semifinal

Coaching and Team History

Much has been said about Head Coach Damon Cogdell. He has won awards for the performance of his team, and also earned the highest accolade that any coach can achieve: a State Championship.

Cogdell has a stellar 55-10 record in his 5 years as coach, and prepares his team in the hopes of capturing their second State Championship in the last 3 years. The program has grown from a decent team to a State and National Powerhouse under Cogdell’s watch. This season, the Patriots have ascended in the National Rankings, coming in as high as 3^rd according to Sports Illustrated and USA Today. Obviously, Cogdell’s leadership has been instrumental in this trend of continuing success.

Apart from his duties as Head Coach, Cogdell is the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers coach. He, and the rest of the staff, work very hard to instruct players, and help develop their talents. Assisting with the Darkside Defense are Kelsey Harrell (DLine), Arnold Wilkins (DLine), and Kenny Foster (DB). These coaches have developed many talented players over the years, and their work has been noticed due to the outstanding play of the defense.

The Coaches on the offensive side of the ball include T.Y. Conyers (Offensive Coordinator and WR), Herbert Hammond (WR), Jarrod Madison (OL), Costello Guyton (OL), Antwan Scott (RB), and Devon Chandler (RB). Also assisting on Offense is Assitant Head Coach (and former Offensive Coordinator) Chris Perkins. This group has over 75 years coaching football, collectively, and their experience and techniques have turned Patriots both past and present into top Division 1 prospects.

In Cogdell’s 5 years as coach, his success has been built on the athletic talents of number of players who have continued to excel on the collegiate level. Quarterback Geno Smith was a Parade All-American before going to West Virginia, where he has led the Mountaineers to a BCS game (Orange Bowl) this season. His successor, Ryan Williams, started at Memphis as a true freshman in 2010 before transferring to the University of Miami.

Wide Receiver Stedman Bailey was a first team All-State player his senior year, working in tandem with his close friend Smith. Bailey is also at West Virginia, and has set several school and conference records. Ivan “Sticks” McCartney made a name for himself by bursting on the Varsity scene with 9 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2007. He continued to excel through his high school career, and was named the first U.S. Army All-American in school history in 2010. He had many great games as a Patriot, but saved his best for last. In the 2009 6A State Championship game, McCartney teamed with Williams to shatter records. On the night, McCartney tied the record for Touchdowns receiving in a State Championship game. As the other part of that passing-catching combo, Williams set records for Completion percentage (18/21 for 85.7% completion rate), Touchdown passes (5). McCartney has continued to thrive in a system with a Miramar Quarterback, teaming with Smith and Bailey in West Virginia.

On defense, players such as Osiris Pollack, SirChristian Gordon, Keon Lyn, Josh Taylor, Stephen Blissett, Dominick Bryan, Josh Nelson, and Quinton Byrd all played major roles in the establishment of the Darkside Defense, and many of them continue to be headline players in the college ranks.

Offense

Continuing the tradition of top notch Miramar Quarterbacks is Senior Camren Hudge. The 5’9’’ signal caller has passed for more than 2,600 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. His production has been spectacular since he took over as the starter at the beginning of the 2010 season, and it has increased to even high levels throughout these playoffs.

Hudge, who has recently committed to the University of Delaware, has been the key ingredient in the potent Patriot offense that has put points on the board with ease this season. After averaging 35 points per game in the regular season, the production has increased in the past 4 weeks under Hudge’s direction. The Quarterback had a stellar game against Miami Columbus last week in the State Semifinals, going 22/25 and throwing 2 second half touchdowns to help propel the Patriots to this State Championship contest. Hudge’s impact on this team cannot be understated, and there are some people who say that more than any other player, Tracy Howard included, this team goes as Cam Hudge goes.

The Smash and Dash running back combination of Senior D’Vontis Arnold and Junior Alex Lee has continued to produce big yards, and big plays for the Patriots. They combined for over 100 yards in the State Semifinal against Columbus, and there has not be a defense to slow down these talented backs yet this season. Their combined numbers of over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns speaks volumes, and their hard running style has caused headaches for the opposition all season long.

After the starters, the Patriots have plenty of depth at running back. Sophomores Trevon Rolle and Khalil Lewis are immensely talented, and would start on 90% of teams in the state. Junior Malik Mapps adds a physical presence at Fullback, and Senior Michal Moyse gets limited snaps at running back as well. Most teams struggle to find 3 capable players to run the ball. Miramar has 6, and knows how to deploy them with great success.

The Receivers are another skill position with depth. The headliners are Seniors Malcolm Lewis and Devonte Mathis. Their numbers may not be eye popping, as Hudge likes to spread the ball around to as many as 8 players in a game. However, the impact these players have on a game makes thema top priority for the opposing defense to stop.

Lewis, committed to the University of Miami, is a blazing speedster with great hands. He can go from a standing start to top speed in 2 steps, and is a threat to score on any play with the ball in his hands. Mathis, committed to West Virginia, is a bigger, stronger receiver with deceptive speed, which he displayed on a beautiful 62 yard touchdown in the Regional Finals vs. Palm Beach Gardens. It seems that almost every game Mathis catches a touchdown (18 in 28 games at Miramar), and his production over a 4 year varsity career is among the best in recent history.

Adding to the rotation at receiver are Seniors Charleston Jenkins and Reggie Lennon, Juniors Sean Avant and Delano Whitehead, and Sophomores Tanares Robinson, Geonte Smith, Kwasim West and Tyler Williams. Each one of these players has made plays through this season, and Williams and Whitehead have had especially large contributions in the playoffs (Williams had a touchdown vs. Palm Beach Gardens, and Whitehead had a 25 yard gain to pick up a 3^rd and 19 vs. Columbus). No matter who is in the lineup, the Patriots are able to put pressure on the defense with their talented receivers.  With as many as 5 of them on the field at a time, the opposition has a tough choice: who to cover, and who to leave open.

The Offensive line is among the best in the state. Junior Michael Miranda and Seniors Clevonne Davis, Kevin Gonzalez, Daniel Lennon, and Gerard Toussaint have paved the way for the offense to gain more than 4,000 yards this year, and have allowed the myriad skill position players to showcase their talents. The O-line has consistently opened holes, and provided protection with only a few penalties to note on the negative side of their performance. Many journalists have called this group the best in the State. After their performance through the first 13 games of the season, I can see why they have elicited such high praise.

Defense

With a nickname like the “Darkside”, this defense must maintain a high level of play, or run the risk of being mocked and ridiculed. Not only has this defense featured high level play, they have silenced any critics who tried to lay claim the Darkside moniker as their own.

Leading the charge has been U.S. Army All-American Cornerback Tracy Howard.  His play has been nothing short of spectacular since day 1, and teams have been wary of him on every play. He has forced some teams to completely alter their offensive gameplan, staying away from this talented ball-hawk. On the year, Howard’s numbers match his talent: 28 tackles, 12 passes defended, 9 interceptions, 2 pass interference penalties, and only 6 passes completed on throws directed to the receiver he has covered. Add in touchdowns on offense (receiving) and special teams (punt return), and Howard has impacted the game in all 3 phases. He is a finalist for U.S. Army All-American National Player of the Year. I think that says everything you need to know about #3.

Joining Howard in the secondary are Seniors Denzel Trowers, Terrell Hill, Anthony Hamilton, and Marrell Jackson. All of these players has provided steady coverage, and physical play in run support. But Jackson, the starting Free Safety, has impacted the game in a larger way than his brothers in the aptly named “No Fly Zone” Secondary.

Jackson, a fluid 6’1’’ 180lb athlete, leads all of South Florida with 12 interceptions on the year. This converted wide receiver displays great ball skills when breaking on a pass, and very good field vision and awareness. His thin frame does not strike fear in receivers coming across the middle, but he hits like a sledgehammer, and it only takes one of those jaw rattling shots to make any player think twice about running a route into Jackson’s zone.

Howard, Jackson, and the rest of the secondary are joined on defense by 3 incredible players at the Linebacker positions: Junior Jermaine Grace and Seniors Mark Rucker and Brian Williams. Williams has taken over for the injured Kameron Capers in the second half of the season, and he has maintained the high level of play that we had come to expect from his position. At 6’4’’ 210lbs, Williams brings a new physicality to the position, and his raw talent alone enables him to make plays against both the pass and the run.

Rucker, a 4 year varsity player, has been lauded for his flawless technique, and nose for the football. He seems to be involved in an inordinate amount of plays, and that is a testament to his field awareness, and passion for hitting. Rucker, nicknamed “Pretty”, is not satisfied unless he gets to hit someone on every play, and his love of contact has become infectious on this year’s defense.

Grace, better known as “Country”, may be the best player out of these 3. He is a lean 6’1’’ 205lbs, with room to add weight on his frame. He is already getting looked at by BCS level schools, and that doesn’t happen unless you are a very, VERY good player. He and Rucker have had an unofficial contest in the playoffs to see who can finish with more tackles. This friendly competition has only upped the level of Grace’s play, much to the chagrin of the Miramar opponents. Grace was credited with 11 tackles vs Cypress Bay, and another 10 vs Columbus, and he is surely looking to replicate those numbers vs. Plant on Saturday night.

Clogging holes and wreaking havoc up front is the Defensive Line. The group is 8 deep, and freely rotates players into the game without losing any of their production. Seniors D’Quan Williams, Willie Paisley, Mike Fluerinvil, Levan Porter, Fary Charles, and Trevon Coley, and Sophomore Devon Wallace all play with reckless abandon, and consistently apply pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Paisley is a 6’3’’, 330lb beast at defensive tackle. He routinely requires double teams, and that attention allows his teammates to flourish. Joining him on the inside is D‘Quan Williams (6’2’’ 315lbs). That size on the interior is usually only seen at the collegiate and professional levels, and this unique advantage allows the linebackers and defensive backs to run free from sideline to sideline and make plays. Defensive End Trevon Coley (6’3’’ 240lbs) is a very good athlete, and supreme technician, and his pass rushing prowess is just another weapon for a team with plenty of them on both sides of the ball.

Special Teams

After losing 4 year Kicker Julian Garcia after the 2009 season, the Patriots struggled with extra points and field goals a year ago. This year, the kicking performance has returned to the previously steady level, and that is due to one man: Freshman Malik Wisdom. Starting for an experienced team, Wisdom had to come along quickly when Fall practice started. He has learned quality kicking technique, and when paired with his powerful leg (he has hit from 53 yards in practice), he has transformed from place-holder to legitimate weapon. Wisdom continues to improve on a daily basis, and his performance throughout this season has made many excited for his future.

When Marrell Jackson isn’t playing defense, he’s handling the duties as punter. He, like Wisdom, started this season slowly, but has performed very well in the second half of the season, and into the playoffs. In the last 2 playoff games Jackson has been credited with 68 and 71 yard punts. He has put 5 punts inside the 20 in the playoffs alone, and his punting prowess has helped the Patriots win the field position battle in almost every game.

Tracy Howard and Malcolm Lewis are the main kick returners. The ideology is simple here: put your best players on the field, and give them opportunities to make plays in space. Both players have had big returns this season, and they will undoubtedly look to make more plays in this phase of the game against Plant. Tanares Robinson will rotate in as a returner as well, and his break-away track speed must be respected.

Why Plant Might Win: The Panthers come out fast, and score early to put pressure on Miramar. The only team who was able to do this was Flanagan, and that game came down to the wire. If Plant can come out behind their cerebral QB, and talented skill players and gain an early advantage, the pressure of public expectation may be too much for Miramar to overcome.

On defense, Mike Tate will need to have another 20+ tackle game. While the coaches say the scheme is not designed to have Tate make plays, I believe actions (and statistics) speak louder than words. When you have a player like Tate, there is nothing wrong with asking him to use his talents to lead the team to victory. Simply put, Plant will need another yeoman’s effort from their Senior leader to contain the Miramar Offense, and secure their 4^th State Championship.

Why Miramar Might Win: Camren Hudge has another MVP caliber performance. He is unfazed by the pressure of big time football, and he has all the physical tools to be successful. He has had some of the best games any Miramar QB has had, incredible to say with Geno Smith and Ryan Williams having manned this position in the recent past. Hudge will need to continue to make plays, and take care of the ball, to position his team for a victory.

Tracy Howard. He is without question the most impressive difference maker I have seen since my days at 

Deerfield Beach watching Shoelace Robinson run over, around, and by defenders. Howard can impact the game at any time, and Plant would be wise to stay away from challenging the All-American. If Howard can give us another highlight reel addition to the series “Tracy Howard makes big plays”, it may be enough to propel the Patriots to a State Championship.

What to Watch For:

Plant

• Can James Few continue to move the ball and make strong, accurate throws?
• Can the running game gain some traction against a physical Darkside defense?
• Does Mike Tate take over the game on defense?
• Which underappreciated player steps up for the Panthers?

Miramar

• Can Camren Hudge continue his MVP level performance?
• Which receiver stretches the defense?
• How can the offense neutralize Mike Tate?
• Which linebacker will have the big game on the biggest stage?
• What is the next installment to “Tracy Howard Makes Big Plays”?

The time for talking is done. It’s all about the teams, and who comes out with a smarter plan, and more heart.

The 8A Championship game kicks off at 7:06pm, and will be televised live on FSN Florida. I’ll be there tweeting live from the sidelines, just like I have been all season long. Follow me, @MiramarSports, for all the updates.

The Season has come down to the Final Showdown. Be sure you tune in, and follow, to see which team will add to their legacy.

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Recap - State Semifinal vs. Miami Columbus

The 4^th playoff game was, honestly, one of the best games I’ve seen this season. Columbus came out confident in their abilities, and unfazed by the reputation and rankings that Miramar boasted. The Patriots, intent on continuing their season, came out with a fury on both sides of the ball.

Neither team gave an inch, and everything that happened on the field was earned with heart and physicality. In the end, Miramar emerged with a tough 14-6 victory, and a return trip to the State Championship game. 

Let’s take a look at the key factors from the game:

Columbus

• The Explorers came out very intense on the defensive side of the ball. Led by the line, they swarmed to the ball, and prevented the Patriots from establishing their running game. They used solid gap technique, and aggressive run-blitzes by the linebackers and occasionally a safety to eliminate any lanes for Miramar to utilize on the ground.
• Later in the game, Miramar was able to gain some yardage on the ground, but not much. Columbus had great pursuit from the weakside, which eliminated any cutbacks for the Miramar runners, something that had served the Patriots well in the playoffs.
• On offense, the Trio of Running Backs for Columbus didn’t have the kind of game they would have hoped for. Lorenzo Woodley and Daryl Chestnut were largely contained on the evening. Senior Brandon Radcliffe made the most of his carries. While he was gang tackled and limited to 60 yards on the evening, his powerful, explosive 5 yard touchdown run on 4^th and 1, which ended with a dive over 2 Miramar Defenders, was the highlight of the evening. It gave Columbus some life late in the game, and showed what kind of talent he possesses.
• The Explorer passing game seemed to be overmatched by the Miramar secondary. Quarterback Garrett Fortner was able to find receivers only sporadically, and that lack of balance enabled Miramar to load the line against the run on early downs. While he completed a few passes in the game, Columbus had to have hoped for a stronger game from their Senior signal-caller.
• Receiver Jesus Wilson had a limited impact in the game due solely to the few number of touches he received, mostly on special teams. However, when he had the ball in his hands, Wilson quickly demonstrated that he has the elite speed to change any game. He ran a couple nice fly-sweeps for good yardage, and his 37 yard kick return following the 2^nd Miramar touchdown gave Columbus great field position, which they eventually turned into the aforementioned Radcliffe touchdown. Columbus can’t help but wonder what the game would have looked like if Wilson had more opportunities with the ball in his hands. On a field filled with speed, I thought Wilson was EASILY the fastest player on the field.
• The Columbus offensive line did a decent job opening holes for the running game, and protecting the quarterback. While they may not have gained tons of yards against the Darkside Defense, there were very few negative yardage plays, and only 2 sacks. The only critical thing I can say is they did not get any push on a couple key 4^th down opportunities, and weren’t able to convert.
• The pass defense was strong. Columbus didn’t allow any receivers to get on top of the defense, with the singular exception of the first Miramar touchdown. Deon Bush played well from his Safety position, frequently tackling Miramar receivers directly after the catch, and not allowing for yards after the catch. Columbus also came away with a huge interception late in the 4^th quarter, returning it to the 40 yard line. That play kept the Explorers in the game, and proved that their defense has elite playmakers at every level.
• Columbus proved worthy of their title as Region 4 champions in class 8A. They played a tough game, and gave an incredible effort for 4 full quarters of football. Unfortunately, there has to be a winner and loser of every game, even a great game like this one. On this night, Columbus was unable to emerge with a victory, but should be proud of a great season, and a valiant effort in defeat.

Miramar

• Cam Hudge was spectacular on the night. His statistics: 22/25, 244 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. He also added some decent yardage rushing the ball. He was the steady leader of the offensive attack that we have grown to expect, and he made all the plays Miramar needed to advance with a victory. Many people have started to realize that his play is MVP level. After this performance against Columbus, I think more people will agree with that train of thought.
• D’Vontis Arnold and Alex Lee did not have the success running the ball in this game that they did in previous games. A lot of the credit for that has to go to the Columbus defense, who played arguably the best game against the Patriots this year (yes, including then-#1 Nationally Ranked St. Thomas Aquinas).  Arnold and Lee were able to move the chains at times, and give some balance to the Miramar offense.
• The Wide Receivers played a great game. Using a similar offensive gameplan as the St. Thomas game (quick passes to the edge of the defense), multiple players gained yards and had an impact on the game. Malcolm Lewis, Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Reggie Lennon, Charleston Jenkins, and Tyler Williams all contributed to the passing attack.
• Devonte Mathis proved his worth in multiple areas once again. He played some quarterback in short yardage situations, and used his physicality to great advantage. He also had a great catch on the first touchdown, running a crisp out-and-up route, with Hudge employing a perfect pump fake, and then a pinpoint throw to put the Patriots on the scoreboard. Mathis routinely beat his man off the line, and I thought he could have been targeted on a couple more passes. There were even more big plays to be had if the ball had been directed his way.
• D’Vontis Arnold’s effort on the second touchdown was absolutely incredible. After catching a pass in the flat, Arnold turned up the field, shook a Columbus defender, then dove into the end zone from 4 yards out. His superman impersonation was timely, and gave the Patriots all the points they would end up needing on the night. (see the picture above)
• On defense, the Darkside earned the right to wear the name proudly. After much conversation by Columbus as having “the original Darkside defense”, Miramar proved that their version is the superior one. The Patriots limited Columbus to 90 yards rushing on the night, and constantly pressured the Explorers, no matter what they tried to do offensively. The Defensive Line and Linebackers played to their usual standard of excellence, and their physical brand of play was a bit too much for Columbus to overcome.
• To highlight a few players individually, Senior Defensive Tackle D’Quan Williams played really well on the night. Unofficially, I counted at least 7 tackles for him on the night, and that was only indicative of part of his impact against the Columbus rushing game. DT Willie Paisley, DE Trevon Coley, LB Mark Rucker, LB Jermaine Grace, and LB Brian Williams all added to the swarming defense, and controlled the line of scrimmage for the majority of the game.
• Safety Marrell Jackson was very tough in run support. He tackled with good form all night, and prevented a couple of runs from really breaking loose, 2 from Radcliffe, and 1 from Wilson on a fly-sweep. Teams have finally learned not to throw the ball his way after 12 interceptions on the year. While he’s had to change his game a bit, his high level of play has not wavered at all.
• In the latest installment of “Tracy Howard Makes Big Plays”, the Senior All-American came through when his team needed him the most. On Columbus’ final drive, with less than 30 seconds left, Howard tackled a receiver in the middle of the field, stripped him of the ball, and recovered the fumble. That play gave Miramar the ball back with 11 seconds left, and any chance for Columbus to drive the field and tie the game. Howard wasn’t too busy on the night, with only 2 passes directed his way. He was a good tackler in run-support, and saved his biggest play for the last play of the night on defense.  
• So, to recap, this is what Tracy Howard has done in the playoffs: he had a game-changing interception for a touchdown in the Regional Quarterfinal, another interception in the Regional Semifinal, a Punt return touchdown AND interception in the Regional Final, and a game ending tackle-forced fumble-recovered fumble trifecta in the State Semifinal.  I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Enjoy this show while it lasts, because Tracy Howard is one of the best players we have seen in a while.
• On the negative side of things, Miramar returned to their mid-season struggles in terms of penalties.  On the night, the Patriots had 16 penalties for 138 yards. Add in the yardage from the plays that was nullified by the penalties, and that’s EASILY 300+ yards that Miramar had count against them. Penalties stopped Miramar from scoring once or twice in the first half, and this issue must be addressed again before heading in to the State Finals.

Columbus was a worthy foe, and their effort should be lauded.  In the end, they just didn’t have enough big plays to defeat the Patriots.

So, for the 2^nd time in 3 years, the Miramar Patriots are the champions of South Florida (Regions 3 and 4), and will head to Orlando to play for a State Championship.

The season comes down to this: the Plant Panthers (13-1) vs. the Miramar Patriots (13-0) for the Class 8A State Championship. We’ll look at this game through the week to get ready for the big game.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Until Next Time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Preview - State Semifinal vs. Miami Columbus

The State Semifinal for the south half of the 8A bracket will be one of the most intense matchups of the whole High School Football season. Miami Christopher Columbus Catholic School has a strong tradition on the gridiron, having put many players into big time Division 1 programs over the past decade. Miramar has quickly built a program that s now one of the strongest in the State and the Country. Both teams are looking to extend their season and, with a win, have the chance to play for a State Championship.

Let’s meet the teams, and look at the keys to victory in this game:

Christopher Columbus Explorers (10-2, 4-0 District 14-8A, District Champion)
Playoffs: Defeated Hiahleah 55-0 in Regional Quarterfinal, Defeated South Miami 22-7 in Regional Semifinal, Defeated Southridge 28-7 in Regional Final

The Christopher Columbus Explorers are the 4^th playoff opponent for the Miramar Patriots. The Explorers are a talented team who have been to the playoffs almost every year in the last decade. They are led by Coach Chris Merritt, who has an extensive record of success. In the last 8 years, the worst record a Merrit-coached team has ended the season with is 7-4. With a record of 73-33 over that time, Columbus is a force to be reckoned with each and every year.

Leading the team this year is a 3-headed monster at Running Back: Senior Brandon Radcliffe, and Juniors Lorenzo Woodley and Daryl Chestnut. Radcliffe and Woodley are huge for the position, Listed at 215 and 212 pounds, respectively. They look more like Linebackers than Running Backs, and have punished defenses all season long with their physical running style. Chestnut is a smaller, faster scat back, and his change of pace really keeps defenses honest.

When Radcliffe and Woodley are in the game, Columbus likes to run isolation, power, and trap plays to get those players upfield and attack the defense directly. When Chestnut is in the game, Columbus likes to get him on the edge of the defense to take advantage of his impressive speed with quick dives, tosses, and stretch plays.  Overall, this trio has run for over 3,000 yards, and many touchdowns on the season. They put pressure on any defense, because there is always a rested player in the game on every snap. They have looked to establish the run all year, which opens up the Play-Action passing game.

Also contributing to the running game by both blocking and rushing is Senior Fullback Jorge Lorenzo. He is a valuable blocker in the isolation running game, and also a capable runner. Lorenzo ran for 67 yards in the Regional Final, and that performance may have shocked some, but his teammates and coaches at Columbus know that he can add another dimension to the running game when needed.

Senior Garrett Fortner is the Quarterback for the Explorers. He is a dual threat, equally skilled at running and throwing the ball. He is a steady leader for this team, and seems to make good reads in the passing attack. Fortner is a 2 year starter, and his experience in big games will come in handy on Friday night. He has done well  taking care of the football this season, with only a handful of turnovers. He will need to replicate that performance if his team is to be successful against the Patriots.

In the passing game, Junior Receiver Jesus Wilson is the star. He is a fast receiver, and also has very good hands. He has the ability to stretch defenses, particularly running deep routes on Play-Action. He has scored long touchdowns many times in the last 2 years, and established himself as the go-to player for Fortner on passing downs. He runs crisp routes, and is a willing blocker in running situations.

Obviously, for any offense to have the success that Columbus has enjoyed this year, the Offensive Line has to play to a high standard of excellence. This unit, which includes captains Julian Padron and Fernando Concepcion, has been very good at opening holes for the Running Backs, and protecting the Quarterback. They have size, strength, and depth, with at least 9 players who can rotate in at any given time.

On defense, Columbus matches Miramar with an All-American Defensive Back: Safety Deon Bush. A starter since his Sophomore year, Bush has garnered attention from almost every big time Division 1 program, and earned a reputation as one of the best players at his position in the country. He has 51 tackles on the year, and is constantly moving around the defense to try to confuse opposing offenses. Listed at 6’1’’, 180lbs, he has the size to match with bigger receivers and tight ends, and the speed (4.45 in the 40 yard dash) to keep up with faster receivers. In short, he has all the skills you look for in an All-American, and his play has set the tone for the Columbus defense all season long.

The rest of the defense is largely unknown, but their production has spoken volumes in these playoffs. Defensive Linemen Javy Pagliery and Luis Quintana have applied constant pressure to the opposition through the season, and the playoffs in particular. They have pressured opposing quarterbacks and stuffed running lanes. Another unit with 7 capable contributors, the Line, along with Linebackers, have stepped their game up to meet the challenge of every opponent in the playoffs.

Before this last round of FHSAA classification realignment, Columbus had  playoff success, but only through the first round. When they were faced with Miami Northwestern in the 2^nd round of the playoffs, that game ended their season 5 out of the last 6 years. With Northwestern no longer standing in their way, the Explorers have made their deepest run in the playoffs since 1982, when they made it all the way to the State Finals. To recreate the success from the ’82 season, Columbus will have to play their best game of the year to defeat Miramar, and earn a chance to play for the 8A State Championship.

Miramar Patriots (12-0, 5-0 District 12-8A, District Champion)
Playoff: Defeated South Plantation 38-0 in Regional Quarterfinal, Defeated Cypress Bay 23-7 in Regional Semifinal, Defeated Palm Beach Gardens 35-7 in Regional Final

The Miramar Patriots have earned a return trip to the State Semifinals after an early playoff exit last year. This will be the 3^rd time in 4 years that the Patriots have appeared in this game. They have split the previous 2 games against the Dade County Champion, losing to Miami Northwestern in 2008, and defeating Miami Central in 2009. The Patriots will need another great performance to defeat a talented Columbus team on Friday.

Coach Damon Cogdell leads his team into this week’s game with a career record of 53-12, and 12-3 in the playoffs. His strong connection to the program as a Miramar Alum gives him the trust of his players, and his knowledge of the game allows him to teach them to be successful. Every year, Coach Cogdell chooses one word to be the mantra for his team. This year’s word is “Focus”, and his Patriots will need to do just that come gametime.

Quarterback Camren Hudge continues to play at an extremely high level during the playoffs. Last week against Palm Beach Gardens, Hudge threw for 262 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions (1 in the last drive for the starting offense), and rushed for another 35 yards. Many people still take the 5’9’’ Senior for granted, but his team knows how valuable he is. After leading a diverse offensive attack that gained over 400 yards against a good Gardens team, Hudge will look to repeat or exceed that performance when faced with the Explorers in the State Semifinals.

After a couple quiet games, the Wide Receivers came alive last week. Devonte Mathis led the charge with 4 catches for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 62-yard bomb from Hudge just before halftime. Malcolm Lewis contributed 5 catches for 63 yards, and Sophomore Tyler Williams caught a 9 yard touchdown, his first on the Varsity Level. Sean Avant and Tanares Robinson also made some nice plays as the multiple weapons of the Spread Attack took advantage of the Gators’ defense.

With such a great passing performance, the running game didn’t get as many opportunities as they had in the past few weeks. Senior D’Vontis Arnold finished the game with 60 yards and a score, while Junior Alex Lee had 34 yards. Sophomores Trevon Rolle and Khalil Lewis also contributed to the rushing attack, which gained almost 130 yards on the night. Lee was plagued by another case of fumble-it is in the game, his second in the last 2 weeks. Ball security will need to be at a premium in this week’s game.

The Darkside defense once again came to play a spectacular game. After allowing an 83 yard touchdown drive to open the game (only the 3^rd time a team has driven the full field against this defense all year), Miramar did not allow Gardens to get inside of the 15 yard line. Senior Linebacker Mark Rucker used his last game at Branca Stadium to play arguably his best football. Rucker finished the game with 13 tackles, 5 for loss, and held the Gardens running attack in check. His physical play, combined with great awareness and intelligence, took Gardens out of their rhythm, and allowed his teammates to make plays all over the field.

In the latest edition of “Tracy Howard Makes Big Plays”, the Senior All-American provided 2 plays for the highlight reels. His first was a twisting, spinning, stiff-arming, sprinting 50 yard punt return for a touchdown that got his team out of its early malaise and tied the game at 7 early in the 2^nd quarter. After that, Howard made a leaping interception on the sideline, his 9^th of the year, to give his offense back the ball in good field position. Howard’s numbers on the night, 2 tackles, 2 passes broken up, 1 interception, 1 punt return touchdown, may not be huge, but the impact of each of those plays was palpable. Howard leads by example, not by talking, and his play against Gardens spoke volumes about his ability, and inspired his team on their path to victory.

With a win on Friday, coupled with a St. Thomas Aquinas loss at Dwyer, a season of firsts just gained another: this is the first time in School History that the Patriots are the last team from Broward County playing football.  If the Miramar wants to continue this streak, they will need to come with their A game to defeat a talented Columbus team in the State Semifinals.

Why Columbus might win: the 3 headed monster-back trio of Brandon Radcliffe, Lorenzo Woodley and Daryl Chestnut move the ball on the ground and eat up clock. If those 3 players can combine for 180-200+ yards, with 2 touchdowns, Columbus will be in very good shape. Additionally, running success like that will open the play-action passing game for Garrett Fortner and Jesus Wilson. A balanced attack for Columbus is essential to their success, and the focal point of that balance has been, and will be, their potent running game.

The defensive line wins the battle in the trenches vs the Miramar offensive line. If Columbus is able to apply pressure by bringing 4 guys, they will disrupt the timing of the Miramar offense, and give their linebackers and defensive backs a chance to make plays. Games are won up from, and Columbus will need to be successful here to be victorious.

Why Miramar might win: Camren Hudge continues to play big-time football. His performance has been at a high level throughout the playoffs, with the last 2 weeks being the best he’s played all season. Columbus has a physical, and talented defense, and they will no doubt try to disguise coverages to fool Hudge into turnovers. If Hudge can throw for 180+ yards with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers, Miramar should be able to emerge victorious.

The Darkside defense stops the Columbus running game. This will be the matchup that determines the game, in my opinion. Miramar allowed a 100 yard rusher for the first time all season last week vs. Gardens (Alex Clark, 100yards even). Every team who has tried to run the ball against this defense (Cypress Bay twice, Western, South Plantation, Gardens) has failed. Miramar simply does not allow yards on the ground, and if they are to win the game, they will need to play to their usual standard of excellence in this area.

What to Watch for:

Columbus

• Can the Explorers run the ball against the Darkside?
• Can Garrett Fortner lead a balanced offensive attack?
• Will Jesus Wilson break a big play against Tracy Howard?
• How will Deon Bush impact the game on defense?

Miramar

• Can Cam Hudge keep up his stellar play?
• Will the running game come alive?
• Can the Darkside stop the Columbus running game?
• Who on defense steps up this week?
• What will be the next episode on “Tracy Howard makes Big Plays”?

The South half of the State for class 8A comes down to these 2 teams: The Dade County champion Columbus Explorers, and the Broward County Champion Miramar Patriots. Each team is 1 game away from playing for a State Championship, and that trip can only be earned with a victory on Friday.

So come out to watch this fantastic game. The game will be played at FIU South, with kickoff coming at 7:30pm on Friday. With only 2 games in South Florida this week (this game and the Central game at Traz Powell), the stadium figures to be packed with passionate football fans supporting both teams, and looking forward to enjoying a hard fought game.

In the end, there can only be 1.

Who will it be?

I’ll be there on Friday with your live game commentary on Twitter. Follow me, @MiramarSports. Hope to see all the members of Patriot Nation supporting your team on Friday night.

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Recap - Regional Final vs. Palm Beach Gardens

The third playoff game was a true test of wills. The Palm Beach Gardens Gators wanted to use their polished Wing-T offense to shorten the game, and wear down the Patriots’ Darkside Defense. Miramar looked to move the ball with their prolific spread offense, and stifle Gardens’ potent running game.

Both teams got some of what they wanted. But in the end, Miramar was able to implement their plan for majority of the game, and came away with a 35-7 victory. Let’s look at the key factors from this game:

Palm Beach Gardens

• The first drive of the game was supremely impressive. The Gators ran the ball exclusively, covering 83 yards in 9 plays. The final yardage of the drive was covered by Junior Running Back Alex Clark, who broke a tackle and scampered 23 yards for the opening score of the game. Clark had 66 yards on the opening drive, and was tough to tackle. The usual star of the team, Senior Running Back Roshard Burney, contributed 27 yards on this drive, and was effective running over Miramar defenders.
• Unfortunately for Gardens, the opening drive was the 1 shining moment for their offense on the game. Burney, a West Virginia recruit, was limited to 45 yards on 7 carries, and left the game in the 2^nd quarter with a strained hamstring. He did not return to the game, and the Gators sorely missed his toughness and production.
• Clark, for his part, ran very hard all game long. After the opening drive he carried 32 times for only 34 yards, finishing the game with 37 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. He also had 1 catch on a screen pass, which lost 5 yards. Clark is a very good running back and will create many problems for opponents next year. But tonight, save for the first drive of the game, he was largely held in check.
• Quarterback J.P. Caruso definitely showed signs of his inexperience. The Sophomore struggled mightily against the vaunted Darkside defense, going 5/18 for only 30 yards on the evening. Caruso’s receivers definitely didn’t do him any favors, as they had at least 5 drops in the game. Caruso was a bit outmatched in this matchup versus one of the best secondaries in the country, and it showed.
• Do-it-all receiver Frank Brown was covered by Tracy Howard all night long, and unable to make much of an impact on the game. He had only 1 catch, for 16 yards on the night. He also had 3 drops, which hurt his team as they were looking to move the chains, and keep the game within striking distance. Like most of the Gators, this was simply not his night.
• Mammoth Offensive Tackle Avery Young proved to be as good as advertised. Wherever he went on the line, left side, right side, pulling up the middle, defenders were only left in his wake, unable to impact the game while they were swallowed up by his block. It is clear to see why Young is one of the top prospects in at his position in the Country. Whatever school lands him will get a superb player.
• On the positive side of things, Gardens only had 3 penalties for 30 yards in the game. They were in need of a clean game like that to keep things close. In that aspect, they were disciplined and successful. It was in other areas that they were lacking.
• On defense, Gardens was solid in the first couple of drive, but once Miramar got rolling, they were able to move the ball seemingly at will. Defensive End Dakwon De Polo was able to apply  some pressure to the quarterback, and Linebackers Korey Wells and Verrick Ponder were able to make some plays as well. Outside of those players, Gardens was simply outmatched by the explosive Miramar offense.

Miramar

• Another week, and another amazing performance from Quarterback Camren Hudge. The 5’9’’ Senior directed the Patriot offense with poise and precision, and after a couple empty drives, showed what kind of talent he has. Hudge found open receivers thanks to great routes and intricate combinations, showing some nice touch as well as a strong arm with equal success. Hudge finished the game with 262 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also contributing 35 yards rushing. The level of his play is increasing with every game of these playoffs, and he is proving himself to be among the most valuable players on the Patriots roster.
• After a couple off games, the receivers finally came back to life. Devonte Mathis had 5 catches for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 62 yard bomb just before halftime that put Miramar ahead 21-7. He was able to showcase his supreme physical talents, running over, through, and around Gardens defenders after almost every catch (except the bomb when he was open by 20 yards).
• Malcolm Lewis also had a good night. He had 3 catches for 51 yards, and consistently drew double teams, which allowed the space for Mathis’ big night. Lewis could have had a couple other long catches, but the connection with Hudge seemed to be off just slightly on these opportunities. That being said, Lewis is still the remarkable game breaking talent that we’ve grown to know and love, and his influence on the game was larger than the statistics he earned on the night.
• Other receivers also contributed to the offense, including Reggie Lennon (2 catches, 29 yards), Sean Avant (2 catches, 20 yards; 1 other called back by penalty) , Tanares Robinson (1 catch, 17 yards), and Sophomore Tyler Williams, who had his first catch at the Varsity level, an 8 yard touchdown that proved to be the final score of the game.
• The Thunder and Lightning combination of D’Vontis Arnold and Alex Lee was able to make the most of their relatively limited carries. Arnold finished with 60 yards and a touchdown, while Lee had 34 yards in the game. Also contributing was Sophomore Trevon Rolle, who had a couple really nice runs called back by penalties. Rolle finished with a modest 13 yards officially, but if the other runs weren’t negated, he easily would have eclipsed 50 yards rushing. Lastly, Sophomore Khalil Lewis was able to get some work in the game, experiencing only his second action at the Varsity level in his young career.
• On troubling item were turnovers by the offense. Cam Hudge had a tipped ball intercepted in the first half, and also threw an interception in the end zone on his final drive of the game. Backup QB Sophomore Gernald Hawkins threw one in his only drive at the helm. Alex Lee also lost a fumble for the second game in a row. He needs to address this recent trend quickly or run the risk of losing playing time to either of the talented Sophomores behind him, Rolle and Lewis.
• Every week of these playoffs has featured a breakout performance from a member of the Darkside defense. Against South Plantation, it was the Defensive Line as a whole. Last week against Cypress Bay, it was Jermaine “Country” Grace. This week, it was Senior Linebacker Mark Rucker. Powerfully built at 5’9’’ 205lbs, Rucker finished the game with 13 tackles (5 for loss) and was the key factor in stopping the Gators rushing attack. He was all over the field and showcased his immense talents in front of a capacity crowd. While he may have been flying under the radar as recently as Thursday, Friday’s game has definitely catapulted Rucker into the spotlight, and it is well deserved attention for this 4 year Varsity Player.
• Tracy Howard has demonstrated to us, AGAIN, why he is one of the best players in the Country. Howard jumpstarted the entire team with his highlight reel 50 yard Punt Return touchdown in the 2^nd quarter. Howard fielded the bouncing ball, put on a nice spin move, broke away from 3 tacklers, then raced to the end zone. He then had an interception later in the game, his 9^th of the season, and nearly had another diving pick on the sideline. Howard continues to provide big plans when this team needs them, and his contributions cannot be undersold. He is, without question, the best player in Broward County, as was recently announced as a finalist for U.S. Army All-American National Player of the Year. By whatever name you call Tracy Howard, 5-star prospect, All-American, Captain, Leader, he is simply an amazing player and I, for one, am glad he’s on our team and not anywhere else.
• Marrell Jackson had a limited impact from his Safety position. He had 1 pass defended, 1 huge hit on a receiver coming across the middle, and 2 tackles. His largest impact came from his secondary position: Punter. He had 3 punts on the night, including a booming 71 yarder that pinned Gardens deep in their own territory, and flipped the field in favor of the Patriots. If he continues to provide steady coverage from the secondary, where he has 12 interceptions on the year, and solid punting, the entire team will reap the benefits.
• This week added to a long list of firsts in school history. With St. Thomas Aquinas losing to Dwyer, Miramar is the last team playing football in Broward County for the first time since the school opened in 1971.
• This was the most complete game the Patriots have played in weeks. The offense was finally clicking, and could have easily had 2 or 3 more touchdowns, the Defense played to their usual high standards, and our superstars made superstar plays. The Patriots are every bit as good as the local, state, and national polls think they are. The team is talented and focused, and rolling toward what could be another State Championship.
• With less teams playing football, more college coaches come to the practices and games of those teams that are still competing. This week the Patriots had coaches from Alabama, Bethune Cookman, Bowling Green, Delaware, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Southern, Marshall, Maryland, Miami, Savannah State, Southern California, and Wake Forest out to practice. Add in FIU, 2 coaches from Florida, Texas Tech, and West Virginia at last night’s game, and it’s clear that the Patriots are attracting attention from many of the top Colleges at the Division 1 and 1-AA levels.
• Lastly, with the win in the Regional Final vs Palm Beach Gardens, the Patriots have advanced to the State Semi-Final for the 4^th time in School History, and the 3^rd time in the last 4 seasons. I’ll have more on this in the preview article for this week, but I just wanted to highlight the outstanding  accomplishments of the Football Program.

3 games down on the Road to Orlando, and up next is the State Semi-Finals. Dade County’s 8A Champions, the Columbus Explorers, and Broward County’s 8A Champions, the Miramar Patriots. This game figures to be a knockdown, drag out fight to the finish, and the victors will have the right to play for a State Championship.

This week’s game was great, and next week’s game figures to be great as well.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports

Playoff Game Preview - Regional Final vs. Palm Beach Gardens

The Regional Final for Region 3 of the 8A championship bracket pits 2 teams together who have been here before. The Palm Beach Gardens Gators have a long history of Football success, as do the Miramar Patriots. Both teams are looking to add to their extensive playoff résumés with a win on Friday night.

So, before the teams meet on the field, let’s meet them on paper, and look at the keys to victory:

Palm Beach Gardens Gators (9-2-1, 2-1 District 9-8A, District Runner-up)
Playoffs: Defeated Park Vista 35-21 in Regional Quarterfinals, Defeated Seminole Ridge 14-6 in Regional Semifinals

The Palm Beach Gardens Gators are the third playoff opponent for the Miramar Patriots. This is a team that has been very successful in the past, reaching the playoffs many times under former coach Kevin Fluery. Recently, they had fallen on hard times, missing the playoffs in the past 2 seasons. After that disappointment, Fleury was replaced by a new coach, Chris Davis. Davis has worked hard to return Gardens to its traditional roots: a demolishing running game, and tough, solid defense.

In only his first season as Head Coach, Davis has turned this team around 180 degrees. After finishing 2-9 just last year, the Gators have gone 9-2 so far this year, and look to add a second State Championship trophy to their mantle to go with the one they earned in 2005 when they defeated Deerfield Beach 49-29.

The 2005 team was led by All-Star Running Back/Safety Emanuel Cook, who went on to star as a 4 year starter for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. In a similar way, this team is led by its own star running back Roshard Burney. Burney, one of the top players in the nation and a recent commit to West Virginia, has punished and eluded defenses this season. He has rushed for 1966 yards and 19 touchdowns, and created a physical, attacking mentality for the Gator offense. He is a tough runner who usually does not go down on first contact, and will fight for yards on every carry.

Burney has not had to carry the offense singlehandedly by any means. Junior Alex Clark has had a fine season at Running Back as well, contributing 885 yards and 12 touchdowns to the Gator Offense. Clark is a great compliment to Burney, and has the look of a player who will shine when given the opportunity to be the feature back next year. The combination of Burney and Clark is a challenge for any defense, and Gardens will look to these 2 players to lead the team to victory.

While Gardens runs the ball plenty in their Wing-T attack (more on this later), they also have some playmakers in the passing game. Junior Receiver Frank Brown is an exciting athlete with tons of talent. He is the singular gamebreaker on the outside, leading the team with 794 yards and 14 touchdowns receiving. His long touchdown catch last week vs. Seminole Ridge put the game out of reach, and gave the Gators the right to advance to this week’s Regional Final. However, the passing game lacks balance outside of Brown, the 3^rd leading receiver in Palm Beach County. No other player has more than 9 catches on the team, which speaks to how important Brown’s success is to balance the offense.

Gardens has employed a 2 quarterback system this year. At times they rotate a skill player under center, adding more options to the rushing attack. When faced with passing situations, Sophomore J.P. Caruso has been the man under center. He is a young player, but very talented. He has completed 65.4% of his passes this year, the vast majority to his #1 target Frank Brown. Caruso led a game-clinching 98 yard drive, capped by a 33 yard touchdown to Brown, and showed both his team and the opposition that he is capable of making plays and winning games.

Wing-T run-based offense (click here for more information) is predicated on a couple of things: discipline, effective use of misdirection, and a solid offensive line. In the case of Palm Beach Gardens, their line is anchored by one of the best lineman in the country: Senior Tackle Avery Young. Young, a 6’6’’ 285lb giant, has been offered scholarships to play college football at Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Auburn, just to name a few. He is without question the centerpiece of the offensive line, and it would not be shocking to see the Gators run to his side of the field many times during a game. Outside of Young, the line has done great work this year, opening holes for the running game, and protecting Caruso when he comes in to pass the ball.

On defense, the Gators have been solid. They are allowing 15.25 points per game on the season, and have shutout 2 of their opponents. The defense is led by Korey Wells, Denzel Reed, and Daryl Depas, with the occasional contribution from Alex Clark. This defensive team has players that are talented, and have the ability to make plays. No team has scored more than 28 points against them since Palm Beach Central back in the 3^rd game of the year. They are playing some of their best football this season, and have been unsung heroes on this march to the Regional Finals.

Palm Beach Gardens has very good players and a very good coach. They are determined to recapture their greatness from earlier in the 2000s, and to do that, they will have to play their best game of the year against the Patriots.

Miramar Patriots (11-0, 5-0 District 12-8A, District Champion)
Playoff: Defeated South Plantation 38-0 in Regional Quarterfinals, Defeated Cypress Bay 23-7 in Regional Semifinals.

Miramar is in familiar territory in the late rounds of the playoffs. For the 3^rd time in 4 years, the Patriots have advanced to the Regional Final round. This season is different than those past seasons however: the Patriots are the #1 ranked team in the State of Florida (for the first time in School History) and are a top 5 team in the National Polls (also, a first in School History).

Leading this ascension is Coach Damon Cogdell. He has a career playoff record of 11-3, and looks to add to that record of success with a win on Friday. Cogdell, a Miramar graduate, also coordinates the Defense, and instills his vast knowledge to each one of his players.

This week, let’s start by looking at the Darkside defense. Faced by another challenging Wing-T team last week in Cypress Bay, the defense stood up to the task, holding the Lightning to only 69 yards rushing on the game. Leading the charge was Junior Linebacker Jermaine Grace, who finished with 11 tackles and 2 passes broken up on the evening. Grace is one of the leaders of this defensive unit, a player whose talents have gone largely unnoticed on a team filled with playmakers, including U.S. Army All-American Tracy Howard. However, after his remarkable game last week, people are now aware of Grace’s talents.

Grace and the rest of the Front 7 (defensive line and linebackers) have caused problems for opposing teams all year long. They are strong, fast, and athletic, and can play any style they like. They have so many different looks, and so many different players, that teams who score on the defense even once have truly accomplished a tough task. On the year, the Darkside defense has only allowed 5 touchdowns, with the other 3 coming on special teams. Overall, opposing teams average 145 yards and 6.8 points per game against the Patriots.

The secondary has been incredibly tough to pass on. Tracy Howard added to his statistics last week with his 8^th interception of the season. He is the top Cornerback recruit in the country, and has allowed only 5 completions on balls thrown his way all season. He will again draw the opposition’s top receiver, Frank Brown, and that battle will be worth watching as the game progresses.

On offense, the Patriots have started clicking, but are still looking for a breakout game in the playoffs. Quarterback Camren Hudge led the charge last week, accounting for almost 200 yards and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing) on the evening. He is cool, calm, and collected in the pocket, and his above average athleticism allows him to be a threat running the ball in the read-option game.

Speaking of running the ball, D’Vontis Arnold and Alex Lee continue to drive the offense. These backs have combined for almost 1500 yards on the season, and were key players in the first half onslaught the Patriots enjoyed against Cypress Bay. They will need to maintain their high level of play this week, as the Patriots will look to advance to the State Semifinals once again.

The receivers have been solid, but not as spectacular as they were earlier in the season. Stepping up recently has been Sean Avant. He had several big catches against Cypress Bay, and has benefitted from the wealth of attention defenses give to star receiver and University of Miami recruit Malcolm Lewis. Add into the mix West Virginia recruit Devonte Mathis, Charleston Jenkins, Tanares Robinson, and Reggie Lennon, and the Patriots have the ability to move the ball through the air that few teams can match. This unit has been shaky recently, and this would be a great time for them to recapture the explosiveness they displayed earlier in the season, and give Palm Beach Gardens the unenviable choice of trying to defend the run or the pass on any given play.

The Patriots have passed their first 2 tests on the Road to Orlando. Palm Beach Gardens is a unique test, however: a team that Miramar has never faced, and one who has top Division 1 level talent at many positions. Both teams will need to work hard to continue their march towards a Championship.

Why Palm Beach Gardens might win: Roshard Burney and Alex Clark play like Roshard Burney and Alex Clark. This tandem has accounted for nearly 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing the ball this season. They have controlled the clock, and imposed their will on their opponent through their physical play. If they can combine for decent numbers (150+ yards, 2 touchdowns between them) against a stingy Darkside defense, the Gators would be in a great position to win the game.

The defense stifles the Miramar running game, and forces turnovers. Takeaways had been a thorn in the side of the Patriots until the playoffs. The Gators need to find a way to create a turnover or 3, swing the momentum of the game, and capitalize on their opportunities.

Why Miramar might win: Speed. The Patriots have more speed on this team than they have had since the Championship season of 2009. If they can find a way to get their speedsters (Malcolm Lewis, Alex Lee, Tanares Robinson, even Cam Hudge) in open space, there could be big plays, and quick points, available for Miramar. Also, if the offense can start out fast, build a 2 or 3 touchdown lead early and force Gardens to abandon their running game, that would definitely be an advantage for the Patriots.

The Darkside defense continues to play at the level we have come to expect from them, particularily when it comes to stopping the run. They allowed only 92 yards to Broward County’s leading rusher Alex Collins in round 1, and 69 yards total to Cypress Bay last week. If the defense can step up to the challenge again, and keep the Smash and Dash combo of Burney and Clark from finding yards, the Patriots will be in a good position to emerge victorious.

What to Watch For:


Palm Beach Gardens

• Can Roshard Burney and Alex Clark running the ball, and moving the chains for Gardens? 
• What impact will Avery Young have against Trevon Coley in passing situations? 
• Can Frank Brown win his individual matchup against Tracy Howard to help take pressure off the Gator Running game? 
• Who on defense steps up to make plays against the Miramar Spread offense?

Miramar

• Can Miramar continue their success from last week and start fast? 
• What will Tracy Howard do to impact the game this week? 
• Can the receiving corps erase the drops from last week and make plays down the field?
•  Can Camren Hudge continue his hot streak from the earlier rounds of the playoffs?

Region 3 for class 8A Football comes down to these 2 teams. They will fight for the right to play against the winner of Southridge and Columbus for the right to go to the State Championship game. With the goal so near, both teams will give everything they have to keep their season alive.

So come out to watch a fantastic game this Friday. The game will be played at Branca Stadium on the Campus of Miramar High School, with kickoff coming at 7:30pm. Win or lose, this is the last home game of the season, so be sure to come out and support your Patriots. As the only team hosting a game in Broward County (St. Thomas Aquinas is on the road), this game figures to be packed with fans looking for a good game.

One team’s season is ending, and one team will live to play another day. You gotta be there to see all the action for yourself!

I’ll be there on Friday, and I hope to see you as well.

Until Next time,

Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports