When it comes to high school football, the teams and fans in south Florida are just different.
It’s not bragging or saying that there are not great teams and players anywhere else, but to fully understand the culture of high school football in the #305 and #954, you need to know that these elite prospects compete with – and against one another 12 months a year. It’s sort of that “iron sharpens iron” mantra.
When the new classifications were announced the talk of who is playing who on a weekly basis really never came into play. What was the ONLY focus is what happens this week at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Fans who are as passionate as you get looked to this week, this game as the defining point of the 2022 season. MIAMI CENTRAL AND PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE. Those who follow this sport religiously knew that this was the game that would be played and take center stage, and they were right.
The 2A title game has more than a state title at stake. A win by the 13-0 Rockets, and no matter what Max Preps or any other hit and miss ranking says and Miami Central is the national champions – not even up for discussion. However, a win by the 13-1 Patriots and the discussion will begin. It’s that simple!
In the battle of two first year head coaches in American Heritage’s Mike Smith and Central’s Jube Joseph, this game is the epicenter of the Florida state playoffs. No questions asked.
The Rockets rely on a strong senior class that is led by University of Miami defensive line commit Rueben Bain (6-3, 260), Auburn quarterback commit Keyone Jenkins (6-0, 185), Louisville linebacker commit Stanquan Clark (6-2, 215) and University of Pittsburgh-bound receiver Lamar Seymour (6-2, 185) have paved the way. It is also about prospects such as Dieutriche Exantus (LB, 6-2, 205), Mark-Allen Gay (FS, 6-1, 185), Cataurus Hicks (WR), James London (PK), Jazizaih Lugo (LB, 6-0, 200), Ean Pope (RB, 5-8, 175), Shawn Smoak (DB, 5-10, 175), Zayden Laing-Taylor (DB, 6-1, 185), Dylan Tulloch (QB, 5-11, 180), Corey Washington (WR, 5-8, 160) and running back Omarion Williams (5-9, 165).
It's also about juniors Earl Kulp (CB, 6-0, 180), Lawayne McCoy (WR, 6-1, 170), running back Nicholas McCall, Luke Moise (OL, 6-3, 290), Keion Reyes (OL, 6-2, 300) and William Rothmiller (OL, 6-1, 270), Teko Shoats Jr. (OL, 6-4, 285) and Lamar Smith (MLB, 6-2, 210).
There are also quality sophomores as well. Class of 2025 standouts Randy Adiricka (DT, 6-4, 250), Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. (LB, 6-0, 195), Deangelo Thompson (DE, 6-3, 215) and Amari Wallace (DB) have also stepped up.
ROCKETS (13-0)
Bradenton IMG Academy, W 20-14
MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, W 36-19
Miami Carol City, W 34-0
FORT LAUDERDALE DILLARD, W 43-7
North Miami Beach, W 41-0
Miami Northwestern, W 42-7
MIAMI NORLAND, W 53-7
Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-35
MIAMI GARDENS MONSIGNOR PACE, W 50-14
MIAMI ST. BRENDAN, W 60-0
MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, W 34-30
MIAMI NORLAND, W 34-20
ST. PETERSBURG LAKEWOOD, W 39-21
The Patriots have also flexed some muscle in 2022 – with elite seniors such as seniors Ohio State-bound Brandon Inniss (6-1, 200), running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (6-1, 225), North Carolina State commit Daemon Fagan (DB, 6-2, 180), three-year varsity standout Jerry Dinkins III (RB, 5-10, 185). Much improved Blake Murphy (QB, 5-11, 175), Corey Goldsby Jr. (S, 5-10, 180), all-time leading tackler David Vadala (LB, 5-10, 205), Damari Brown (CB, 6-1, 190), first-year kicker Wylie Shaw (5-8, 160) and Joey Colosi (OC, 6-1, 280).
Juniors Bowen Drewes (LB, 6-1, 200), Timothy Burroughs-Love (DL/OL, 6-1, 280) and Jimmy Williams (OT, 6-4, 280) have been elite. So has sophomore running back Byron Louis (RB, 6-0, 190) and super freshman receiver Malachi Toney to name a few of the many contributors in 2022.
PATRIOTS (13-1)
Valdosta Lowndes County, Ga., W 38-20
Los Alamitos, California, W 56-27
LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 42-14
BELLE GLADE GLADES CENTRAL, W 56-0
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 42-34
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 21-2
DAVIE WESTERN, W 42-18
Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, W 24-0
Naples, W 35-17
HALLANDALE, W 63-0
RIVIERA BEACH INLET GROVE, W 43-7
BOYNTON BEACH, W 49-0
FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS, W 31-20
JACKSONVILLE BOLLES, W 14-7
For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Miami Central Goes For National Title On Friday. https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/central-goes-for-national-title/