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