And for the first major Rivalry Game in District 12-8A, I
present to you the teams who have won this District (or any District they’ve
been members of) for the past 6 years. Two teams who have a long history of
fierce competition in many sports, but most of all Football.
Cypress Bay.
Miramar.
Only one can win. Let’s look at the teams:
Cypress Bay Lightning
(3-1, 1-0 District 128A)
Cypress Bay has always been a tough team to play. Led by
Coach Mark Guandolo, a veteran whose teams won multiple State Championships
when he was at Chaminade-Madonna, the Lightning are a tough, disciplined, and
opportunistic team who can present problems for their opponent in all 3 phases
(Offense, Defense, Special Teams) of the game.
This year, Coach Guandolo got rid of the only offensive
attack he’s ever used: the Wing-T, and replaced it with a hybrid
I-Formation/Spread offense. This has
opened up the field for the Cypress Bay skill position players, and made the
game a little more interesting for players and fans alike.
The offense is led by Senior QB Jaranta Lewis. Lewis, a 3
year starter, has pressured defenses for years with his dual threat (running
and passing) abilities. Lewis has had a strong start to the year, but the
passing game took a step backwards last week vs. Flanagan. Cypress Bay could
only muster 59 yards passing on the night, and looked out of sync. Lewis will
need a big game throwing the ball for the Lightning to be successful.
Lewis’ #1 target is Senior WR Alex Montgomery. Already
committed to Wake Forest, Montgomery is
a large target (6’2”, 208lbs) who has become the headliner at receiver for
Cypress Bay. His numbers are already impressive, with 12 catches for 338yards
(28.2 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. He is one of the top skill position
players in the District, and his production will be integral to the success
that the offense will be able to enjoy.
The third leg of the triangle that is the Cypress Bay
offense is Senior RB Matt Dayes. Another 3 year starter (along with Lewis and
Montgomery), Dayes looks to add to his impressive resume at the expense of the
Patriot defense. Dayes’ numbers are also impressive through 4 games (376 yards,
4 td), and that production on the ground has been the centerpiece of the
efficient and effective Cypress Bay offense.
Complimenting Dayes is Senior RB Josh Kaiser, who seems to
have a penchant for scoring long touchdowns. Last year, I remember reading
recaps of games seeing Kaiser as having scored from 70+ yards multiple times.
Already this year, he’s scored long touchdowns against St. Thomas Aquinas and
South Broward. He doesn’t get many touches, but don’t let that fool you. Kaiser
is a player. Watch out for him.
The offensive line is one of the best units in the State.
Led by Senior C Jason Rae, the Lightning look to create lanes for their skill
players to succeed in space. The offense
around them may have changed, but the offensive line, and their hard nosed
mentality, remain the same.
The Defense is stingy, and full of solid players. WR Alex
Montgomery pulls double duty as the starting Free Safety, and RB Maquese
Dudley-Gordon is another 2-way star. Linebacker Nico Marley, grandson of Reggae
music legend Bob, and CB Boaz Joseph are Division 1 recruits with multiple
offers. The Defensive Line is largely unproven, and will face the uneviable
task of containing the potent Miramar running game.
The defense is allowing an average of 17.75 points per game,
but that stat is slightly misleading. Apart from St. Thomas score 43 points
against them, Cypress Bay has not allowed more than 12 points to any opponent
this season. They will need to have another good night, playing fast and
hitting hard, to stop the Patriots and emerge victorious.
Why Cypress Bay Might
Win:
We’ll get to that later.
Miramar Patriots (2-2,
1-0 District 12-8A)
The Miramar Patriots got back in the win column last week,
defeating West Broward 48-3. That game, our first in the District this year,
featured a solid effort in all 3 phases of the game. For more reaction to that
game, check my Game Recap here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/2012-game-recap-4-west-broward.html
The Patriots still need to find a consistent rhythm and
identity on offense. They are averaging 335.5 yards of total offense and 25.25
points per game. Lackluster scoring performances against Bradenton Manatee and
Northeast were balanced against high scoring games against Ely and West
Broward. Miramar will need to find a way to play like the latter games, not the
former.
Leading the passing attack is Junior QB Nick Jeanty, who has
completed 71.8% of his passes, for 559 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 6
interceptions. Jeanty has been very effective completing short passes, and
deadly in the screen game (3 of his 4 touchdowns have come on screens). I would
still like to see him stretch the field vertically a bit more, but when you’re
completing nearly 3 out of every 4 passes, you have to be pleased with that
efficiency out of the QB.
The running attack is the heart and soul of the offense.
Averaging 186.25 yards a game, and with 6 solid players who contribute, Miramar
has shifted to a ground and pound team overnight, after years of spread
football with 30+ passes a game. The coaching staff has made it a point to
control the line of scrimmage and dominate the running game. I wouldn’t be
surprised to see the Patriots eclipse 200 yards rushing in this game. This
figures to be one of the focal points to the offensive gameplan.
The Lightning Squared backfield of Alex Lee and Cameron
Rigby has combined for 488 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns through the first 4
games of the season. They are each adept at finding holes and using their speed
and shake to leave linemen and linebackers grasping for air in the secondary. Both
will need to bring their “A” games to Branca Stadium on Friday night.
Other players who figure to see time in the backfield for
the Patriots are Juniors Khalil Lewis and Eric Pittman, Sophomore Alex
Anderson, and Senior Malik Mapps as both the FB and single back.
The Receivers have done a good job so far this year, and
many of them have contributed to the team’s success offensively. 11 different
players have caught passes to this point of the season (although I don’t expect
OT Damone Thompson to have any more catches this year). With a 10.14 yards per
catch average, this group is nearly a guaranteed first down every time they get
the ball. They, like their QB Jeanty, are looking for a breakout game.
Leading the 11 players who have caught a pass are Senior
Sean Avant and Junior Geonte Smith. Also contributing to the passing attack are
Tanares Robinson, Delano Whitehead, Khalil Webster and Kwasim West. With all
that talent at receiver, it’s mildly surprising that 3 of the 4 touchdown
catches have gone to running backs, with the Alexes (Anderson and Lee) and
Cameron Rigby each having one.
The Darkside Defense has been one of the best in the State
for years, and they look to build on their already impressive track record this
season. They shut down Bradenton Manatee for the better part of 3 quarters,
stifled Ely for most of the night, held Northeast to -17 yards of total
offense, and outside of 2 Keenan Thompson runs from the Wildcat, completely
shut down West Broward. This unit is full of playmakers, and they figure to
bring their normal championship caliber effort .
Special teams, like offense, would like to have a strong
game this week. There are many players who are fighting for playing time, and
they might catch the eyes of their coaches with a solid play or 2 in the 3rd
phase of the game.
Lastly, no current Miramar player has EVER lost to Cypress Bay.
Not on JV. Not on Varsity. I’m sure they don’t want the game on Friday to be
their first experience tasting defeat at the hands of the Lightning. The whole
team, to a man, will have to give his absolute best effort for the Patriots to
extend the 6 game winning streak (including JV) against the rival Lightning.
Why Miramar might
win:
Again, we’ll get to that later.
What to Watch for:
Cypress Bay
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Miramar
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Wondering where the “Why (insert team here) might win”
section went? Well, I left that analysis up to 2 student journalists. One
representing Cypress Bay, and one representing Miramar. For their analysis, and
picks to win, check out the special feature “Point/Counterpoint” right here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/pointcounterpoint-cypress-bay-vs-miramar.html
Until Next time,
Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports
Miramar Sports
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