By Dave Brousseau - BCAA Writer
PLANTATION – In the previous 51 meetings between the Plantation and South Plantation football teams, only 15 times has the outcome been decided fewer than 10 points.
Thursday at the PAL Field this wasn’t one of those competitive results.
Led by running backs Andre Barrington and Rayshawn Cunningham, the Colonels rolled to a 38-0 victory and 11th straight win over the Paladins.
The shutout was the second consecutive for Plantation (6-4) over its rival and was the first back-to-back shutout since the 1990-91 seasons.
“This definitely a game that you always want to take home,” said Plantation coach Darrell Strong said. “Regardless of the records on each side, both teams want to come out and play.”
While the Plantation defense stymied the South Plantation offense until the final whistle sounded, the Colonels run game proved too much for their opponent.
Barrington rushed for 157 yards on 15 carries three touchdowns, including the final score and play of the game with 2:44 remaining putting the Colonels up 38. With the running clock underway, the was no need for the following kickoff as time expired.
“Cunningham, who has no carries in the opening quarter, had 84 of his 140 yards on the night in the second quarter, that also included a 30-yard scoring run that led to a 19-0 half time lead.
Senior defender Ashton Jackson also added a second half touchdown after recovering a fumble in the endzone late in the third quarter.
“We know we want to keep the trophy at Plantation,” said Strong. “It’s always a game we want to win. It’s always the most important game of the season.”
South Plantation (4-6) had several scoring chances and got within three yards of the goal line in the fourth quarter, but penalties and a pair of sacks ended the threat.
South Plantation won the inaugural meeting between the teams in 1972 and led the series 13-5 after a 23-21 victory in 1989. Since then, the Colonels have only lost six times and now leads the series 33-19 and having outscored the Paladins 1309-654. The shutout win was only the ninth overall shutout of the series.
Dave Brousseau can be reached on X at @dbrouss76 – or via e-mail at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.