Recruiting News

REMATCH AT THE MECCA: Miami Central & Palmetto Meet Once Again

As soon as Palmetto lost, 34-30, to Miami Central in the 6A state semifinal last year at Harllee Stadium in Palmetto, the Tigers looked into the future – and circled this game.

While so much has transpired in a year – with players and coaches moving on – here we are – one game away from the state finals and guess who is back?

For head coach Dave Marino and his Palmetto Tigers, it’s been all about team ball, with some players coming back from last year.

Over the past six weeks, this team has certainly found that magic touch and it has shown.

Everyone knows about the pandemic and the grip it had on the athletic scene in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. For Miami Central and head coach Roland Smith, what has been accomplished, as they look to defend their state title, is amazing – to say the least.

Loaded with talent and many new faces, the Rockets have managed to come together and gel over the past few weeks.

ROCKETS FILE

TEAM: Miami Central

HEAD COACH: Roland Smith

2020 RECORD: 6-1

CLASSIFICATION: 6A

WHO ARE WE LOOKING AT FOR 2020:

2023 - Rueben Bain, DT

2022 - Wesley Bissainthe, LB

2021 - Demond Brown, WR/RB

2021 - Timothy Brown Jr., WR

2021 - Yulkeith Brown, Athlete

2022 – Solomon Charles Pierre, LB

2021 - Amari Daniels, RB

2021 - Chester Fearon, CB/S

2023 - Santana Fleming, CB/S

2021 - Aaron Honer, DT

2021 - Rhoody Jean Louis, LB

2023 – Keywone Jenkins, QB

2022 - Jayden John, PK

2021 – Terrence Lewis, LB

2021 - Eddrin Lollar, DB

2021 – Robert McMinn, WR

2022 – Elijah Miller, OL

2022 – Omari Moore, OL

2022 – Ghana Oho, RB

2021 - Shamori Orr, DE

2022 – Zaylan Reese, WR

2021 - Jeron Scharoun, OL

2023 - Antwon Sheppard, DB

2023 - Lamar Seymore, WR

2021 - Laurence Seymore, OL

2021 - Aramis Soto, DE/DT

2021 - Don Smith DT

2022 – Nicolas Vargas, CB

2021 - Elijah Vaughn, CB

2021 - Stephon Young Rolle, DL

HOW THE ROCKETS GOT TO 6-1

The road to this position – as everyone knows – has not been easy for this team, but as defending champions, the mission has been to keep that torch burning – and despite losing to rival Miami Northwestern in the first game of the season, 22-14, the fire is indeed scorching.

In beating Miami Edison in two quarters (14-0), the defense has stayed strong – while the offense has continued to improve. Still, this program had played just six quarters of football, heading into the playoffs.

In the playoffs, they received a play-in playoff bye against Immokalee and a first-round bye to Archbishop McCarthy.

Coach Smith’s football team hosted Naples Lely with only six playing quarters under their belt – while the average statewide was 24. That gave this team the momentum – and after falling behind Naples 14-0, this team has taken control, winning that game 31-21.

Last week’s 40-0 win at Fort Myers Dunbar set the table for tonight’s game.

THE TIGERS FILE

SCHOOL: Palmetto Tigers

HEAD COACH: Dave Marino

2019 RECORD: 12-2

CLASSIFICATION: 6A

TIGERS TO WATCH IN 2020

2023 - Cedric Augustin, LB

2023 - Cleve Benson, WR

2022 - Eric Brust, OL

2022 - Raetrell Crawford, WR

2023 - Nate Dawes, DB

2021 - Floyd Dozier, DL

2023 - Jayden Dunbar, CB

2021 - Robert Gavin, RB

2021 - Zorian Geathers, WR

2022 - Colin Heina, OL

2021 - LJ Hewitt, CB

2021 - Sagel Hickson, RB

2022 - Danny Hollis, OL

2022 - Alzavien Houston, WR

2021 - Jacquez Hughes, DB

2021 - Karem Ismail, OL

2022 - Rylee Jackson, DL

2021 - Gabe McDuffie, DL

2021 - Myles Ormsby, DL

2023 - Jordan Renaud

2022 - Jake Rewis, LB

2022 - Danny Rivera, DL

2021 - Juliano Shytlla, OL

2021 - Josh Siplin, QB

2022 - Kijuan Smith. OL

2022 - Quay Smith, WR

2021 - Ruben Stamp, LB

2021 - Tariq Waggoner, CB

2022 - Jaylen Wester, LB

2023 - Jamil Williams, RB

2021 - Quintin Zanders, OL

HOW THE TIGER ARE 9-3

Despite losing early to rivals Bradenton Braden River (34-20) and Bradenton Manatee (28-26) – and Sarasota Riverview (16-7), this program has rallied around head coach Dave Marino and has made tonight’s destination a reality.

Wins over Port Charlotte (43-7), Largo (37-6), Punta Gorda Charlotte (24-14) and Bradenton Southeast (38-12) closed out the regular season.

In the playoffs, the Tigers took out Tampa Blake (50-8), Brandon (forfeit), Fort Pierce Westwood (31-21), Tampa Hillsborough (26-20) and a huge one last week against Lakeland Lake Gibson, 28-24.

THE REST OF FLORIDA

Besides the local Miami Central-Palmetto showdown, there is plenty of FHSAA playoff action tonight as well:

CLASS 8A

STATE SEMIFINALS

NORTH

Sanford Seminole (10-0) at Apopka (8-3), 7.

SOUTH

Kissimmee Osceola (8-2) vs. Miami Palmetto (6-1) at Traz Powell Stadium – Saturday, 6.

CLASS 7A

STATE SEMIFINALS

NORTH

Orlando Edgewater (7-2) at Niceville (11-0), 7 Central Time.

SOUTH

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (6-1) at Valrico Bloomingdale (12-0)

CLASS 6A

STATE SEMIFINALS

NORTH

St. Augustine (10-2) at Lake Minneola (10-1).

SOUTH

Palmetto (9-3) vs. Miami Central (6-1) at Traz Powell Stadium.

CLASS 5A

STATE SEMIFINALS

NORTH

Dunnellon (10-0) vs. Tallahassee Rickards (8-1), Gene Cox Stadium.

SOUTH

Tampa Jesuit (13-0) at Plantation American Heritage (9-2).

TRI-COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

FRIDAY

8A

Coral Gables at Boca Raton

Coral Springs at Flanagan

Deerfield Beach at Western

Miami High at Palm Beach Gardens

Park Vista at Jupiter

Wellington at Coral Glades

7A

Dwyer at Plantation (PAL)

Fort Lauderdale at Blanche Ely

Hialeah at Olympic Heights

Miami Beach at Royal Palm Beach

Miramar at Delray Atlantic

North Miami at South Plantation

South Broward at Atlantic

6A-1A

Glades Central at Dillard

North Miami Beach at Miami Killian

SATURDAY

TRU Prep Academy at American Collegiate Academy, 6 p.m., Bryant Stadium, Lakeland.

For the past 50 years, we have spent more time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, nobody has evaluated more football talent than we have. We will remain steadfast to promote all south Florida’s high school football prospects. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein- SFHSports) and Twitter (@SFHSSports - @larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..