MitchMash: 10 takes from Miami's showdown between Washington and Central

MIAMI — The fifth Super High School Bowl game — my term — pitting the top two ranked football teams in the country, was as good as the previous four.

In some ways, better.

The atmosphere alone — 8,000 absolutely divided fans of Booker T. Washington (Miami) and Central (Miami) at Traz Powell Stadium — gave it a gladiator feel.

The high-arching stands — equally 60 yards wide right behind each bench — were filled to the brim and bursting with booming cheers, boos and groans at every big play, hit and yellow flag.

In a word, it was responsive. Which is exactly what makes South Florida football so great. It's fast and instinctive and immediate. Kids play at an early age here. Football is bred in them and the aggressive, strong, fast nature of the game comes easily.

Texas football enjoys many of the same qualities, but is more refined and systematic. Southern California is a combination of the two. Those are largely regarded as the three largest hotbeds of high school football.

In this back-and-forth affair, each team delivered big blows and like the proverbial heavyweight fight, each got knocked down and came up swinging.

The last punch was a doozy — a scintillating 65-yard interception return by junior linebacker Terry Jefferson, which punctuated Washington's 28-17 victory to preserve the Tornadoes spot atop the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings.

It was fun and exciting and clearly the teams were worthy of their lofty ranking. Here's 10 final takes from Miami.

1. Treon Harris will be an impact college quarterback.

At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, he's an "epic fail" — to use my 11-year-old's vernacular — on the college measurement scale. But man, the arm-strength, feet, presence, leadership, escapability and playmaking. … all off the charts.

His numbers weren't nearly as impressive as his five-touchdown, 284-yard outing in a 55-0 win over Norcross two weeks earlier. Harris accounted for only 222 yards and three scores Friday — but his poise and presence alone swung the game at least 14 points in Washington's favor.

What I really like about Harris is after avoiding trouble — and wow, did Central present trouble — he immediately regains composure to throw passes on a dime. The usual effect of adrenaline and fear, common human traits while running for one's life, is to fire passes 10 yards high or wayward. But Harris always sets his feet and is so accurate. Like he's passing straight out of a protected pocket.
 
2. Harris' teammates agree with me.

And they should know, especially Miami-bound cornerback Nigel Bethel, who plays against Harris almost everyday at practice.

"He's amazing to me man," Bethel said. "I don't know why people say he's not a quarterback. He's going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country."

3. Tip of the return to Aquil Knowles.

Though everyone — myself included — will have Jefferson's return etched in mind as the game's defining moment — a spectacular diving stretch and tip by 6-2, 190-pound cornerback Knowles of a perfectly thrown pass from Keith Reed sent the ball high into the air. Jefferson easily made the interception. And we all know what happened after that.

4. I like Booker T's calm.

I liked watching it during their surprising romp over Norcross. On the bench, the Tornadoes were opposite of their nickname — calm and poised, as if they expect to do well. On Friday, it was a much different story on the field. They were behind and not always playing very well. Yet, the calm and poise eventually paid off. That said, the Tornadoes lost their collective minds after Jefferson's return. Many fell face first on the turf, laid there and just kicked their feet like little kids. It was fun, real and unrehearsed.

5. Central's running back tandem of Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook is the best in the country.

OK, I haven't seen all of them. Not nearly. But I can't imagine a better one. Fast, strong, elusive and instinctive — there's that word again — both will approach 2,000 yards rushing this season, barring injury.

6. Yearby and Cook will play on Sundays.

We're not talking flag recreation leagues. I hate putting that kind of pressure and expectation on 17-year-olds, but they both have that look and demeanor. All business. Confident.

7. Central's Fredrick Jones may be chasing Yearby and Cook on Sundays.

The 6-2, 270-pound Florida State-bound defensive tackle and nephew of former NFL linebacker standout Marvin Jones will surely be chasing his current teammates in college. He was everywhere on Friday.

8. No coach speak.

Washington coach Tim "Ice" Harris spent much of his postgame interviews lauding both teams for their sportsmanship and respect for one another.

"That's an awesome football team," he said of Central.

It wasn't coach speak. The respect was demonstrated at every turn Friday, particularly afterward with ceremonial handshakes and a prayer at midfield. Considering they were fighting for local bragging rights — the schools are 7.7 miles apart — and a possible national championship, it's easy for jealousy and other bad blood to set in. Make no mistake. The game was hard and rough and there were a share of late hits out of bounds. But it wasn't dirty. Just good, hard football.

9. Heart matters.

Though the "we showed great heart" quotes we often hear are typically cliché and somewhat comical from Washington players, considering 4.4 speed in the 40 probably trumps the ticker, it was great to see some little guys get over. Washington's heroes will always be able to play in under-6-feet recreational hoop leagues. Harris (5-11), Jefferson (5-9, 170), Deltron Hopkins (5-8, 160), running back Krondis Larry (5-8, 160) and receiver Lamar Parker (5-9, 170) all made big plays.

10. Don't forget the details ... or the mic.

The National Anthem was played beautifully on a clarinet by a Central student — I didn't get his name. Only problem: No microphone. Which is sort of like forgetting a football for the game. Nobody heard the rendition but us lucky enough to be sitting 20 feet away on the sideline.

All your practice and hard work was appreciated young lad. At least by the 25 of us who heard it. When you hit it big, you'll be able to tell your tale.