While many are already picking Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna to head to their record ninth consecutive state finals appearance in 1A, and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas to advance to a sixth straight title game in 5A, there is another familiar team that you need to consider as well.
When Miami Central and head coach Jube Joseph knocked off Plantation American Heritage last Friday night, 35-32, the Rockets (4-1) showed that the path to another state final game may be easier than many believe.
While they played No. 1 Lakeland in the opener and beat the 4A Patriots at Traz Powell Stadium, Miami Central will be favored to win the rest of their games – including what appears to be a key game on Oct. 4 against longtime rival Miami Northwestern.
The Rockets, besides the Bulls, will only have Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy and Fort Lauderdale Stranahan left.
Since losing the opener to Lakeland, the Rockets have found a balance on offense with junior quarterback Anthony McQueen and a running game that picked up 126 yards collectively on Friday.
The Patriots, who are a surprising 2-3, finished the first half of one of the most challenging schedules of any team in the state, using junior University of Texas commitment Dia Bell, who completed 13 of 16 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
When the Patriots lost senior running back Byron Louis – one of the nation’s best to ejection – it proved costly and could have been the difference in the outcome.
The Patriots did get contributions from speedy Brandon Bennett and fast-rising Jamar Denson – both quality receivers.
Among the Rocket top players on the night included receivers Nae’ Shaun Montgomery and Sekou Smith, freshman linebacker Steven Moore and junior defensive linemen O.J. Guyton – both registered 2 sacks, and junior quarterback Anthony McQueen, who completed 17 of 24 passes for 352 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and ran for 56 yards and a score.
The Rockets played most of the game without linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin, a University of Miami commit with an ankle injury. While it proved not to be serious, they didn’t play him for the remainder of the game.
In addition to the Rockets’ big win, here is a look at the way the other Miami-Dade and Broward programs did in Week 5:
Coconut Creek Monarch 42, Fort Lauderdale 8
Coral Shores 33, Hialeah ABF 0
Deerfield Somerset Academy Key 43, Miami Gardens TRU Prep 8
Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 48, North Miami 36
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 27, Coconut Creek 25
Fort Lauderdale Dillard 14, Miramar 12
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 56, Hollywood McArthur 0
Hallandale 20, Coral Springs Coral Glades 19
Hialeah 49, Miami High 19
Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 45, Miami Norland 20
Lakeland 48, Miami Booker T. Washington 13
Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson 41, Parkland Douglas 6
Miami Braddock 45, Miami Coral Park 13
Miami Country Day 42, Hialeah Miami Lakes 0
Miami Jackson 36, Miami Archbishop Carroll 20
Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman 41, Hialeah Gardens 7
Miami Palmetto 28, Miami Killian 0
Miami Ransom Everglades 37, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 6
Miami Southridge 31, Doral Academy 8
Miami St. Brendan 20, Miami Westminster Christian 0
Miami True North Classical Academy 40, Homestead Everglades Prep 3
Naples Lely 44, Miami Gulliver Prep 28
North Miami Mourning 14, Miami Sunset 7
North Miami Beach 31, Hialeah American 15
Somerset Silver Palms 28, Miami Springs 0
South Plantation 42, Coral Springs 12
Pembroke Pines West Broward 35, Pembroke Pines Flanagan 0
Plantation 23, Hollywood South Broward 0
Southwest Ranches 42, Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons 12
Sunrise Piper 21, Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 20
South Miami 7, Westland Hialeah 6
Southwest Miami 21, Miami Ferguson 0
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