By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
MIAMI, Fla. – The 2008 Miami Kick-Off Classic came to a disappointing end for South Florida high school football Saturday night. Three of the region’s most highly-regarded programs were dropped by out-of-state opponents during the two-day event.
The last chance for national bragging rights came in the nightcap of Saturday’s double-header as two-time defending Class 6A state champion Miami Northwestern fell to California power Long Beach Poly, 29-7.
The visiting Jackrabbits, No. 6 in this week’s MaxPreps National Rankings, came into the contest fresh off a 13-1 season capped by a CIF Southern Section title. The Bulls entered the showdown riding a 30-game win streak, but minus a star-studded 2008 senior class and injured star defensive tackle Todd Chandler.
Running backs Daveon Barner and Melvin Richardson took advantage of Chandler’s absence, pacing the Long Beach Poly attack by combining for four touchdown runs.
The Jackrabbits pushed their lead to 21-0 in the third quarter on a 36-yard touchdown run by Richardson. Northwestern responded with a three-yard touchdown run by Tyresse Jones, but it would be the Bulls’ last trip to the end zone in the game.
Long Beach Poly went back to work on the ground and controlled the clock in the fourth quarter. Barner added his second touchdown with just over six minutes remaining in the game to end the scoring and give the California program a convincing 29-7 victory.
The loss was Northwestern’s first since December of 2005, ending a historic run by the Miami power that included a pair of state titles. The 30-game win streak was the 14th longest in the country entering the 2008 season.
Other Games
* In the event’s 2 p.m. Saturday opener, the Pahokee Blue Devils watched a 27-point lead evaporate in the second half as Mississippi’s Olive Branch High School stormed back for a 48-47 victory.
* At the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) exacted a measure of revenge for South Florida. The Raiders, ranked No. 16 nationally by MaxPreps, knocked off Cincinnati’s Elder 35-24. Senior quarterback Ryan Becker threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns.
