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..