Central (Fla.) sacks South Dade in the 6A regional final

MIAMI, Fla. - Led by a defense that recorded nine sacks and scored two touchdowns, the Central (Miami, Fla.) football team defeated South Dade 38-7 in the Class 6A regional final on Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium.

Senior running back Devonta Freeman chipped in 145 yards on 15 carries and a score to help Central (12-1) reach its second consecutive state 6A semifinal game. The Rockets travel to Cypress Bay (Weston) for a 7:30 p.m. game Friday.

"Our goal is to win a state championship and, until we get there, we will keep fighting," said Central's head coach Telly Lockette. "Our defense has been doing a great job all season, not just in recent games. The front seven is playing great football, which leaves room for some of the DBs and linebackers to make big plays for us. After the Northwestern game, I challenged them and they stepped up to that challenge tonight."

On Central's first possession, Freeman, a Florida State commit, had a 41-yard run to set up his own 2-yard touchdown scamper.

Heading into the second quarter with a 10-0 lead, the Rocket defense helped extend the margin to 24-0 by halftime. Senior receiver Charles Gaines Jr., a Louisville commit who also plays cornerback, intercepted a pass from Jovani McCray and returned it 28 yards for the score. On South Dade's ensuing possession, linebacker Oliver Vigille, a Syracuse commit, recovered a fumble on the Bucs' 2-yard line and tumbled into the end zone to extend the margin.

Central's defense, which recorded three shutouts in its last four games, did not let up and made a key stop at the end of the second quarter to help the Rockets keep a 24-point cushion.

With 5:03 left until halftime, four pass interference calls on the Rockets, along with a 48-yard completion from McCray to Demetruis Moorer, helped the Bucs reach the 1-yard line with 11 seconds remaining. However, South Dade's Erroll Jackson was stopped for a 2-yard loss by linebacker Devin Rollins as the time expired.

The Bucs (11-2) showed signs of life in the third quarter as McCray (11 of 24, 168 yards) hit Tevin Jackson for a 5-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-7.

Central answered with a 9-play, 78-yard drive that resulted in a 14-yard touchdown run by junior running back Rasheed Harrell. Freeman was instrumental on the drive gaining 58 yards on six carries to set up the score.

Disturbed by a pass rush that is among the best in the nation, South Dade's offense could not muster anything against the Rockets. Running back Torry Clayton, who entered with 1,123 yards and 21 touchdowns, was completely shut down and finished with minus-36 yards rushing.

With 5:11 remaining in regulation, the Rockets sealed with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Rakeem Cato to Gaines Jr., capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

Cato finished 12 of 16 for 147 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He became the first Miami-Dade County player to throw 100 career touchdown passes.

"This was a big game for us," Central linebacker Dwight Jackson said. "We know what we can do and as long as we keep playing the way we have been and don't make mental mistakes, the sky is the limit for us. We all have to do out part in order for us to win: offense, defense and special teams."