To fully understand the football culture that exists at Miami Central is something that you need to be a part of.
The Rockets continue to be among the best football teams in the nation each year because of many things.
First and foremost, they have a had an amazing administration who fully grasps that while academics is a priority, and it should be, the football team is the calling card of “95th Street”.
What has happened on the football field over the past decade is Miami Northwestern product Roland Smith. If you sat down at the table and drew up the blueprint for a head football coach at an inner-city school, here is your man.
So respected is Smith and his six state titles is that everyone across the country knows him, and grasps why he is successful.
A former standout for the Bulls and the University of Miami, this is someone who checks all the boxes when going over what makes a great coach.
He is smart, relies on his hand-picked assistant coaches - and the student/athletes who compete for him know he’s the boss - and that is not up for debate.
Smith learned a long time ago that if you are going to put in the work, you need to reap the rewards. His teams have traveled all over the country and have continued to make life tough on national powers Hoover (Alabama) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and so many others. Not bad when you have another national powerhouse, Northwestern, 24 blocks to the south – and talent-filled Miami Norland, Miami Edison, and powers Miami Carol City and Miami Booker T. Washington less than six miles from the campus.
When they talk about dominating football, and south Florida is brought up, there is no area in the nation close to the stretch of land that hugs the Broward County line and works its way through Miami Gardens, Opa-Locka, Northside, Liberty City and Overtown. The sheer amount of athletic talent is staggering – with everything from Super Bowl champions to Olympic gold medalists – and countless football players that have been groomed and schooled in an area like no other.
As Smith and the Rockets look to get back to the state championship, they are reminded how fortunate they were to have a chance to play just nine games. But in those nine games, this program lost just once and that was the opener against Northwestern.
With ups and downs from the pandemic the Rockets managed to win another state title – and while they move down to join defending state champion Plantation American Heritage in 5A, the Rockets are indeed confident in what they have coming back.
This is a Class of 2022 (rising senior) group that has been together for a few years.
Standouts like nationally-rated linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (6-1, 200), who is as good as you get. Every college is after this young man – an for good reason. He has it all – on and off the playing field.
In addition to Bissainthe, the Rockets also feature some impress and game-changing talent in Zaylan Reese (WR, 6-0, 185), Daughtry Richardson (OL, 6-5, 285), Elijah Miller (OL, 6-2, 280), Ghana Oboh (RB, 6-0, 205) and nationally-rated kicker Jaden John (5-11, 170).
Reese is an amazing talent who has been special since his sophomore year at Northwestern, but has settled in and everyone knows who he is and how dependable he can be.
Richardson comes over from Miami Edison, and is easily one of the best in the state. He brings everything to the table – and much more. This is one of those talents you need to see live to watch what he does away from the highlight camera.
Miller is the real deal. From a technical standpoint he is learning every day, but physically, he is a monster, showing it during the game as well as in the off-season. He stays healthy and this line is going to be special.
Oboh showed in the state championship game against Lake Minneola that he is the real deal. Found a home with the Rockets after attending Edison and Miami High.
Once again John will be a difference maker – with a huge and accurate leg. He is easily one of the most athletic special teams' players in south Florida.
In addition, the 2022 class has some more players who will help to dictate the season. Prospects like Trent Henry (WR, 5-11, 180), Antwane Lenoir Jr (WR, 5-10, 175), Jahzion Lopez (OL, 6-0, 250), Qualyn McQueen (DB, 5-10, 165), Solomon Charles Pierre (LB, 6-2, 225), Aramis Soto (LB/DE, 6-0, 195), Lekel St. Fluer-Rose (OL, 6-3, 260) and cornerback Nicolas Vargas (5-10, 165).
2023 IS LOADED, TOO
If you want to know why the Rockets will be in the mix this season and next for a state title, just check the junior class.
The amazing talent in 2023 and the players who will make a statement during the upcoming season include Rueben Bain (DE, 6-2, 235), Keyone Jenkins (QB, 5-11, 175), Ean Pope (RB, 5-8, 175), Lamar Seymore (WR, 6-0, 175), Antwan Shepherd (DB, 5-9, 165), Christian Lowery (DB/WR, 5-8, 160) and defensive back Shawn Smoak (5-10, 165) to name a few.
If you have watched Bain in any form, how he is not a top 10 player in the state in this class is a huge mystery. This is a man – not a kid – and until you go against him in a game, you have NO idea.
Jenkins may the best quarterback in the class and he never gets that spotlight, which will change this season – as he once again has plenty of weapons to choose from.
Pope comes over from Monsignor Pace and he is going to be a difference maker. Already the fastest – or one of the fastest on the team – he should have a huge season.
Seymore has certainly established himself as one of the tremendous receivers in south Florida alone. While he is the younger brother of University of Miami offensive line signee Laurence Seymore, he has already carved out a positive spotlight for himself.
Lowery plays this game at another level as well - big-time potential to be a major impact player.
For Shepherd and Smoak, you have two solid players who have an opportunity to make an impact in the spring and into the 2021 season.
For the past 51 years, we have spent time going from games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events. 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..