By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
MIRAMAR, Fla. – Led by senior running back Jason Douglas, Cypress Bay (4-1) withstood a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback by Miramar en route to a 41-40 win on Saturday night.
Douglas, who had a 99-yard kick return for a score to give Cypress Bay a 27-13 lead by halftime, led a ground game that amassed 330 yards. The standout senior rushed for 140 yards on 16 carries. Senior running back Craig Dee was also productive for the Lightning, rushing for 77 yards and two scores.
The game proved to be a battle between Cypress Bay’s stout rushing attack and Miramar’s unstoppable passing game. Quarterback Eugene Smith led the way for the Patriots (4-1), completing 21-of-29 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 102 yards and a score.
After trailing by 14 at halftime, Smith raised his level of play and led the Patriots in an incredible second-half comeback, completing 15-of-19 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Smith’s favorite targets Stedman Bailey and Ivan McCartney also stepped up in the second half. Bailey, who had one catch for seven yards in the first half, caught seven passes for 148 yards and two scores, while McCartney, the nephew of Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson, finished the game with four receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith’s brilliant performance helped the Patriots to a 34-33 lead after running back Orwin Etkins scored on a 4-yard run with 3:34 left in regulation.
On the ensuing possession, the Lightning answered with a 13-yard touchdown run by running back Vincent Mantuo. After a successful two-point conversion attempt, Cypress Bay regained the lead 41-34 with 38 seconds left in regulation.
However, time was not an issue for Broward County’s top recruit.
Smith capped a 3-play, 67-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Bailey with 6.4 seconds remaining in the game. After a penalty on Cypress Bay, the Patriots attempted a two-point conversion but failed. Smith rolled out of the pocket and dove for the end zone but was stuffed by highly touted linebacker Phil Walker Jr. at the 1-yard line.
“In all my years of coaching that was one of the most intense wins I have ever been apart of,” Cypress Bay coach Mark Guandolo said. “Both teams played their hearts out tonight and I’m glad we were able to leave with the win. Smith is special. He is one of the most efficient quarterbacks I’ve ever seen.”
Week 6 Top Performers (Miami-Dade)
Jarvis Bridge, RB, Coral Gables - Bridge, a junior, led Coral Gables to a 19-17 win over Miami Springs by rushing for 196 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
Gideon Ajagby, RB, Ransom Everglades - Ajagby, a junior, rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, helping Ransom Everglades to a 64-0 win over Florida Christian.
David Gonzales, RB, Archbishop Carroll - Gonzales, a senior, rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, helping Archbishop over LaSalle 40-17.
Jeff Scott, RB, Archbishop Carroll - Scott aided the Archbishop win by rushing for 148 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns.
Gary Bush, WR, Columbus - Bush, a Purdue commitment, caught five passes for 83 yards and four touchdowns helping Columbus to a 52-14 win over Miami Beach.
Frank Telfort, LB, Gulliver Prep - Telfort, one of the top defensive players in the county, recorded 14 tackles in a 15-6 win over Bay Point. Gulliver Prep remains undefeated (5-0) and is the top scoring team in the county averaging 37 points per game.
Torrance Moise, QB, Booker T. Washington - Despite playing less than three quarters, Moise, a senior, completed 14-of-21 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns helping the Tornadoes to a 43-12 win over North Miami.
Quinton Dunbar, WR, Booker T. Washington - Dunbar, a junior, aided the Tornadoes win with five receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Week 6 Top Performers (Broward)
Frainy Alfena, RB, Sheridan Hills - Alfrena, a senior, rushed for 405 yards and five touchdowns on 15 carries, leading Sheridan Hills to a 41-13 win over Highlands Christian. Alfrena broke the Broward County single-game rushing record set by David Brooks of Pine Crest who rushed for 385 yards on seven carries against St. Anastasia in 1956.
Eugene Smith, QB, Miramar - Despite a 41-40 loss to Cypress Bay, Smith completed 21-of-29 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns. The standout senior also rushed for 102 yards and a score.
Denard Robinson, QB, Deerfield Beach - Robinson, a senior, completed 10-of-22 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns helping Deerfield Beach to a 59-18 win over Douglas.
Lamario Fuller, RB, Plantation - Fuller, a senior, led Plantation to a 30-13 win over Piper by totaling 276 yards on special teams and two touchdowns.
Jimmy Jordan, WR, Pine Crest - Jordan caught four passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns helping Pine Crest to a 27-14 win over Westminster Christian.
Damian Fortner, RB, Everglades - Fortner, a senior, helped Everglades to a 42-6 win over Flanagan by rushing for 119 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns.
Kwamainie Johnson, RB, Everglades - Johnson, a senior, aided the Everglades win by rushing for 145 yards on three carries.
Trabis Ward, RB, Dillard - Ward, a senior, rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, helping Dillard to a 32-0 win over Stranahan.
James White and Giovanni Bernard, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas - The two standout juniors combined for 145 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries, helping St. Thomas to a 55-0 win over Cooper City.
Karlton Weaver, RB, Pompano Beach - Weaver rushed for 111 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries, helping Pompano Beach to a 54-13 win over West Broward. Weaver also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Kambrel Jenkins, RB, Jupiter Christian - Jenkins helped Jupiter Christian to a 70-30 win over Zion Lutheran by rushing for 80 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. Jenkins also caught three passes for 118 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown grab.
T.J. Marshall, RB, Archbishop McCarthy - Marshall led Archbishop to a 24-22 win over Pembroke Pines Charter by rushing for 215 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
