GAME LOCATION UPDATE: THE GAME AGAINST WEST BROWARD WILL BE PLAYED AT EVERGLADES!!!! KICKOFF STILL AT 7PM!!! GOVERN YOURSELVES ACCORDINGLY!!
As the calendar switches from Summer to Fall, the schedule
switches from non-district to district games for most teams. Like most
Districts, with their longstanding traditions and heated neighborhood
rivalries, District 12-8A usually delivers the type of hard hitting play that
South Florida football fans have grown to love. I’m sure this season’s slate
will live up to the standard of past experience.
The Miramar Patriots open their district schedule by taking
on the West Broward Bobcats. The Patriots, 1-2, are aiming to capture their 4th
district championship in the last 5 years. A new school founded in 2008 with
only 5 wins in their short history, West Broward will play the role of David to
Miramar’s Goliath in this contest.
Enough of that. Let’s look at some of the keys to victory
for this game:
West Broward Bobcats
(0-3, 0-0 District 128A)
The Bobcats come into this game looking to be competitive,
and hoping to maybe come away with the biggest win in their school’s short
history. If their history against
Miramar is any indication, that may be too tall a task for West Broward to
achieve.
West Broward enters the game having been outscored 104-38 by
their first 3 opponents. While they have put up 14 and 17 points against
McArthur and Key West, respectively, they have allowed 27, and 43 in return
(with Cooper City also adding another 34 points). Their defense lacks elite
players, and they have struggled so far this season. In their previous matchup
with Miramar last year, the West Broward was on the business end of a 47-0
shellacking. The hope for the Bobcats has to be to stay closer than that score.
Taking most of the headlines for the Bobcats is Senior WR/DB
Keenan Thompson. A fluid 6’1” athlete, Thompson uses his physical gifts of size
and speed to make impact plays. Last season against the Patriots, Thompson
appeared to have the talent level to compete with Miramar. For West Broward to
spring the upset, he will have to have a very, VERY big game.
Trying to get Thompson and the other skill players the ball
are a pair of Senior QBs: Brendan Stedfelt and Derek Victory. These players
couldn’t be more opposite: Stedfelt stands 6’2” and is a pocket passer, while
Victory is 5’9. They both figure to find the field on Friday, and the Bobcats
hope they can build upon their scoring success from previous games.
On defense, the Bobcats are very young. From what I’ve been
able to find, they have no less than 18 Freshmen and Sophomores on this side of
the ball. That kind of youth is usually seen at the JV level, but, with a new
school, young players are counted on to make plays with the Varsity team. While
this experience could pay dividends down the line, it figures to make for some
tough times in the present.
Overall, this is a program that hopes to one day be on the
level of Miramar and others of that ilk.
Unfortunately, that day is still a
ways off in the future.
Why West Broward
Might Win:
The Bobcats get a couple turnovers, and some luck.
Miramar Patriots (1-2,
0-0 District 12-8A)
The Miramar Patriots look to start District competition with
a win following a 13-5 loss to Northeast. I’m not going to talk about that game
again, but if you want to know the full run-down, you can check out my game
recap here: http://miramarsports.blogspot.com/2012/09/2012-game-recap-3-northeast.html
The Patriots still need to find a consistent rhythm and
identity on offense. They are averaging 324 yards of total offense and 17.7
points per game. Those numbers are enough to keep the Patriots competitive and
will hopefully help us win plenty of games this season, starting with West
Broward on Friday.
Leading the passing attack is Junior QB Nick Jeanty, who has
completed 70.3% of his passes, for 420 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 6
interceptions. While Jeanty’s completion percentage is very strong, his 6
interceptions are as many as he had his entire Sophomore season. Look for him
to try to get on track, and in the end zone, against the West Broward defense.
The running attack is the heart and soul of the offense.
Averaging 183 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.
At the top of the rotation at running back is Senior Alex
Lee. Already with 300 yards and 2 TDs rushing (averaging 11.5 yards per carry),
in addition to 65 yards and a TD receiving, Lee is proving his worth in
multiple areas of the offense. Lee, like many others, struggled in the
Northeast game. A bounce back performance would be nice to see.
Cameron Rigby was one of the few offensive players who had a
strong showing against Northeast.
Already with 198 yards as the compliment to Alex Lee, Rigby should be
able to find plenty of open space in the Bobcat defense.
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 9.21 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 2 of the 3 touchdown
catches have gone to running backs, with the Alexes (Anderson and Lee) 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, and held Northeast to -17 yards of total
offense. 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.
Why Miramar might win: The Offense gets back on track.
The Darkside defense continues to do what they do.
What to Watch for:
West Broward
How much can Keenan Thompson impact the game?
Can the Bobcats match up with a bigger, stronger team?
What elements of Coach Wagner’s gameplan will prove
effective?
Miramar
Is this Nick Jeanty’s break out game?
What will Alex Lee and Cameron Rigby and friends give us in
the running game?
Can the Darkside sustain their excellence?
How does the Offense rebound?
Until Next time,
Cameron J. Underwood
Miramar Sports
Miramar Sports
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