By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
Miami Northwestern, the reigning Class 6A state champions, defeated previously unbeaten Columbus 21-6 in the regional quarterfinals, ending its season for the third consecutive season. The Bulls advance to face Miami Central, who defeated them 27-25 and snapped their Miami-Dade County record 37-game win streak on Oct. 31.
In another rematch, Miramar gets a shot at vengeance against Cypress Bay. The Patriots came up short against Cypress Bay in a 41-40 shootout back on Oct. 11.
Regional Quarterfinal Rewind
Thursday, Nov. 20
Miami Central 52, Coral Gables 6
Led by quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey, Miami Central demolished Coral Gables 52-6 in the District 13-6A quarterfinal at Traz Powell Stadium. Godfrey, a junior, completed 13-of-18 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns. Fellow juniors Brandon Gainer and Joshua Reese aided the Rocket win. Gainer ran for 139 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, while Reese caught six passes for 110 yards and two scores.
Next contest: vs. Northwestern (10-1)
Miami Killian 21, Miami Sunset 14
The Cougars were able to withstand a stingy Sunset defense en route to a 21-14 District 16-6A win. Killian rode the heels of star running back Lamar Miller all season but it was the play of quarterback Ricky Rowe that sparked this victory. Rowe finished the contest with 157 yards passing and a touchdown. His lone touchdown pass was an 11-yard strike to senior receiver Jelani Berassa, giving Killian the lead with less than two seconds left before halftime. Miller’s only touchdown of the night was on a 95-yard kickoff return late in the first quarter.
Next contest: at Palmetto (7-4)
Friday, Nov. 21
Deerfield Beach 27, Plantation 0
Quarterback Denard Robinson and running back Cassius McDowell led the Bucks to a convincing 27-0 victory over Plantation in the District 9-6A quarterfinal. McDowell, a junior, led the Bucks with 130 yards rushing on 19 carries and two touchdowns, while also catching two passes for 78 yards. Robinson, a senior, completed 4-of-14 passes for 107 yards, while also rushing for two scores.
Next contest: vs. Boyd Anderson (7-4)
Boyd Anderson 47, Taravella 13
Running backs Andrew Mallory and John Wallace scored two touchdowns each leading Boyd Anderson to a convincing 47-13 win over Taravella in the District 9-6A quarterfinal. Wallace led the Cobras with 104 yards rushing on 10 carries and two scores.
Next contest: @ Deerfield Beach (9-2)
Cypress Bay 29, North Miami Beach 20
For the first time in school history, Cypress Bay advanced to the District 11-6A semifinal with a 29-20 win over North Miami Beach. Senior running backs Craig Dee and Jason Douglas led a Lightning ground game that churned out 275 yards rushing and four scores. Dee led the pack with 115 yards rushing on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Fellow senior running back Jason Douglas aided the win with 57 yards rushing and a score. Cypress Bay’s defense was able to withstand a dominant performance by North Miami Beach quarterback Nico Flores who threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns.
Next contest: @ Miramar (9-2)
Miramar 28, Miami Carol City 26
Down 26-21 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Miramar quarterback Eugene Smith capped an 8-play, 73-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terrance Gourdine to give the Patriots a 28-26 edge over Carol City in the District 11-6A quarterfinal. Smith, a senior and West Virginia verbal, completed 18-of-34 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Next contest: vs. Cypress Bay (10-1)
Miami Northwestern, 21, Columbus 6
Led by its stingy defense and sophomore quarterback, Miami Northwestern defeated previously unbeaten Columbus 21-6 in the District 13-6A quarterfinal at FIU stadium. Teddy Bridgewater led the way for the Bulls by completing 13-of-23 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Northwestern’s defense held standout tailback Jakhari Gore to a season-low 48 yards on 13 carries.
Next contest: @ Miami Central (8-3)
Miami Palmetto 20, Southwest 14
After sitting out the last five games, highly touted running back Jaamal Berry led Palmetto to a 20-14 win over Southwest in the District 16-6A quarterfinal. Berry, a senior and Ohio State verbal, led the Panthers with 176 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Next contest: @ Miami Killian (9-2)