By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
Columbus (9-0), ranked No. 1 in the state (6A), begins its journey toward a title against the reigning state champs, Miami Northwestern in the first round.
Despite losing many of its starters from last year’s team to graduation, Northwestern (9-1) will rely on its dominant ground game and stingy defense for a shot at its third consecutive state championship.
Cypress Bay (9-1) is also a viable contender for the crown. The Lightning have yet to lose to an in-state opponent and enter the postseason with arguably the best backfield in the classification.
Regional Quarterfinal Games
Thursday, Nov. 20
Miami Central (7-3) vs. Coral Gables (9-1)
Central enters the contest led by quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey and running back Brandon Gainer. Godfrey, a junior, has completed 114-of-178 passes for 1,691 yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. The standout quarterback has also rushed for 592 yards on 79 carries and nine touchdowns, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. Gainer, also a junior, leads the team with 1,340 yards on 147 carries and 14 touchdowns, averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
Junior running back Jarvis Bridge leads the way for the Cavaliers. Bridge, a junior, has rushed for 1,201 yards on 150 carries and 13 touchdowns. Junior receiver Andre Gutierrez leads the team with 22 catches for 417 yards and seven scores, averaging 19 yards per catch.
Miami Killian (8-2) vs. Miami Sunset (8-2)
Killian, led by senior running back Lamar Miller, has been the surprise team in Miami-Dade this season outscoring its opponents 313-118. Miller, Dade County’s leading rusher and a University of Miami verbal, has gained 1,368 yards on 173 carries and 19 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Ricky Rowe has done his best in taking the pressure off of Miller by completing 66-of-112 passes for 768 yards with 10 touchdowns and only one interception.
The Knights enter the game led by running back Carlos Campos. Campos, a junior, has rushed for 1,286 yards on 179 carries and 14 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Sophomore running back Michael Rivadeneira has also done a fine job for Sunset rushing for 536 yards on 92 carries with six touchdowns.
Friday, Nov. 21
Deerfield Beach (8-2) vs. Plantation (6-4)
The Bucks are still stinging from last year’s 19-15 loss to Miami Northwestern in the state semifinals. Led by quarterback Denard Robinson and running back Cassius McDowell, Deerfield Beach will try to get back to the state semifinals and possibly the 6A title game. Robinson, a senior, has completed 76-of-178 passes for 1,214 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. McDowell, a junior, leads the team in rushing with 678 yards on 61 carries and 11 touchdowns, averaging 11.11 yards per carry.
Plantation is led by running back James McFadden. McFadden, a senior, has rushed for 494 yards on 81 carries and four touchdowns. Senior receiver Josh Robinson has also helped Plantation’s offense catching 14 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 22.79 yards per catch.
Boyd Anderson (6-4) vs. Taravella (4-5)
Boyd Anderson has a playmaker at quarterback in Jackie Wilson. Wilson, a junior, has completed 86-of-143 passes for 961 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Wilson has also rushed for 371 yards and five scores for the Cobras. Senior receiver Travis Reynolds leads Broward County (among large schools) with 44 catches for 514 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Devon Wright leads a Trojan ground game that has amassed 2,199 yards and 24 touchdowns through nine games. Wright, a junior and Broward County’s leading rusher among large schools, is the nucleus of Taravella’s offense rushing for 1,608 yards on 243 carries and 19 touchdowns this season.
Cypress Bay (9-1) vs. North Miami Beach (6-4)
Cypress Bay features a consistent rushing attack that has totaled 2,330 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. Running backs Craig Dee and Jason Douglas lead this fierce ground game. Dee, a senior, has rushed for 755 yards on 98 carries and 12 touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Douglas, a senior and University of Pittsburgh verbal, leads the team with 804 yards rushing on 128 carries and nine touchdowns. The Lightning have not lost to a team from Florida all season. Their only defeat was a 31-6 loss to Katy High School (Texas) in week 4.
Quarterback Nico Flores and running back Markeith Russell lead the way for North Miami Beach, a team that began the season a top contender in 6A. Flores, a senior, has completed 81-of-151 passes for 1,336 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Flores’ main target has been senior receiver Jonathan Cyprien, who hauled in 15 passes for 328 yards and eight touchdowns this season, averaging 21.9 yards per catch. Russell, also a senior, leads the team with 600 yards on 118 carries and 11 touchdowns.
Miami Carol City (8-2) vs. Miramar (8-2)
The Chiefs will have a tough match-up as they face Broward County’s top passing offense. Senior quarterback Devonte Mathis leads the way for the Chiefs completing 40-of-92 passes for 585 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Junior running back Devontae Byrd leads the team with 448 yards on 91 carries and four touchdowns. Carol City has done a great job in spreading the ball around gaining touchdowns from six different running backs and five different receivers.
Miramar enters the contest led by Broward’s top quarterback, Eugene Smith. Smith, a senior and West Virginia University verbal, has completed 132-of-216 passes for 2,032 yards with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. Senior receiver Stedman Bailey, also a Mountaineer verbal, leads the team with 36 catches for 598 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 16.6 yards per catch. Senior running back Orwin Etkins has complimented Miramar’s passing game with 786 yards rushing on 118 carries and eight scores this season.
Columbus (9-0) vs. Miami Northwestern (9-1)
Columbus, the No. 1 team in Florida (6A), enters the game as the only unbeaten program in Miami-Dade County. Junior running back Jakhari Gore leads the way for the Explorers, rushing for 1,104 yards on 134 carries and 15 touchdowns, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Senior receiver Erik Lora leads the team with 25 catches for 568 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging an amazing 22.7 yards per catch. The Explorers have outscored opponents 325-63 this season.
Northwestern will begin its title defense against a dominant Columbus defense that has allowed only 403 rushing yards all season. Running backs Daquan Hargrett and Tyresse Jones lead a ground game that has amassed 1,796 yards and 31 touchdowns. Hargrett, a senior and West Virginia University verbal, leads the team with 786 yards rushing on 80 carries and 13 touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. Jones, also a senior, has rushed for 386 yards on 68 carries and 11 scores.
Southwest (8-2) vs. Miami Palmetto (6-4)
Osvaldo Castillo has been solid under center for Southwest. Castillo, a senior, has completed 76-of-133 passes for 1,367 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. Castillo has also rushed for 332 yards and five touchdowns, but is second on the team behind running back Hosey Williams. Williams, a junior, has rushed for 866 yards on 78 carries and nine touchdowns, averaging 11.1 yards per carry.
With star running back Jaamal Berry out for much of the season, Palmetto has not been able to dominate the District, taking second place to Miami Killian. Junior running back Jeremy Williams has done a standout job in replacing Berry by rushing for 639 yards on 99 carries and three touchdowns.
