Rockets face tough schedule, big games as they look to add fifth state title since 2012.
Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock DoctorWe set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Roland Smith
Last season: 10-3, lost 24-18 in regional semifinals to Northwestern, the eventual 6A Florida state champs.
Last decade: 99-33
Famous alumni/players: Kurt Thomas, Olympic gymnast; Dalvin Cook, NFL running back; Devonta Freeman, NFL running back; Bruce Armstrong, six-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle; Willis McGahee, former NFL player.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 0; 4-star recruits — 1; 3-star recruits — 4
Head coach Roland Smith
File photo by Stuart Browning
— The 2020 Miami commit is one of best defensive backs.
OLB/DE Jesus Machado
(6-1, 205, Jr.) — The talented edge rusher landed an offer from Alabama
as an eighth-grader and has lived up to the hype. He enters first season with Rockets after leading Chamagnat Catholic to
the 2A state title as a sophomore.
RB Lexington Joseph (5-7, 170, Sr.) — Replacing James Cook and Amari Daniels won't be easy, but this underrated backfield includes, Joseph and
Kejon Owens.
QB Maurice Underwood (6-3, 170, Sr.) — The 2019 Marshall commit will be the leader on offense.
OG Maurice Smith (6-2, 275, Sr.) — Smith will anchor the offensive line in 2018 and has already landed nearly 20 Division I offers.
Running back Lexington Joseph
File photo by Mike Janes
vs. No. 20 Cardinal Gibbons (Hollywood)
Sept. 8 — at No. 6 St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Sept. 21 — at No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Oct. 19 — at Northwestern (Miami)
Oct. 26 — vs. Carol City (Miami)
Offensive guard Maurice Smith
File photo by Mike Janes
• South Florida is known as a high school football hotbed and Miami Central is definitely in the mix as the area's top team with St. Thomas Aquinas. Luckily, they lock horns on Sept. 21.
• The Rockets have won four state titles since 2012 and have enough talent heading into 2018 to bring home a fifth.
• Miami Central was featured in our
Top 10 toughest schedules so nothing is coming easy for coach Smith and crew. They ball in one of the toughest districts in the country with Carol City and Northwestern.
