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