MIAMI, Fla. — Jeffrey Godfrey accounted for five touchdowns while leading Central to a 36-7 victory over Columbus in the Class 6A regional quarterfinal. Godfrey, a senior, completed 12-of-19 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 58 yards on 11 carries and two scores.
Godfrey, who has completed 142-of-221 passes for 2,216 yards with 31 touchdowns and five interceptions this season, ignited the Rockets with a 4-yard touchdown run to give them an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. Then the standout quarterback threw three touchdown passes, two to receiver Derrick Knowles and one to Durell Eskridge to help his team take a 29-0 lead over Columbus midway through the third.
Central's ground game, led by running back Brandon Gainer, complemented its efficient passing attack. Gainer, one of the top backs in the state, rushed for 133 yards on 17 carries. Running back Jakhari Gore, who finished the game with 126 yards on 13 carries, gave Columbus its only points of the night on a 60-yard touchdown run in the fourth. Godfrey, who amassed 486 yards on 81 carries with nine touchdowns this season, sealed the victory with a 13-yard run in the fourth.
The win sets up a highly anticipated rematch between Central and rival Northwestern. The Bulls rallied to defeat the Rockets, 22-14, on Oct. 8. Since then, the Rockets have won every game and outscored opponents 202-25.
Aquinas' Joyner a finalist for POY award
St. Thomas Aquinas' Lamarcus Joyner will represent the state of Florida as one of 16 finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year award. Joyner, who mainly plays defensive back but has been all over the field for the Raiders this season, has amassed 819 all-purpose yards and scored seven total touchdowns this season.
Parkway's undefeated season is under investigation
After completing a 9-0 season, the Parkway Academy football team was forced to forfeit its quarterfinal contest against Calvary Christian last week. It was reported that the Florida High School Athletic Association was investigating the program for a number of violatons.
The Panthers are accused of allowing a junior varsity player to play in both a varsity and junior varisty game in the same week, using a fifth-year senior, whose eligibility had expired at the end of the 2008-09 school year, to compete on the football team and for allowing an athlete to participate in its 2009 spring practice sessions while being enrolled at Westlake Prep.
Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern Miami
File photo by Chad Pilster
TIP award
This week's top individual performance award goes to Glades Day running back Kelvin Taylor, who rushed for 316 yards on 26 carries and five touchdowns in a 47-24 win over McArthur North. Taylor is the son of New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor.
Top Performers (Miami-Dade)
QB, Teddy Bridgewater, Northwestern, threw for a season-high 390 yards and four touchdowns in a 50-7 win over Coral Gables.
DB, Henry Fluellen, South Dade, grabbed three interceptions, including one returned 39 yards for a score, in a 48-7 win over Ferguson.
QB, Bidler Dorlean, Booker T. Washington, completed 11-of-18 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-13 win over Norland.
Top performers (Broward & Palm Beach)
RB, Matt Elam, Dwyer, rushed for a career-high 234 yards on 11 carries and four scores in a 53-0 win over Hollywood Hills. Elam has committed to the University of Florida.
RB, Sony Michel, American Heritage, rushed for 173 yards and two scores in a 34-13 win over Boynton Beach. Michel is an eigth grader.
RB, Jerrard Randall, Chaminade, rushed for a career-high 230 yards on 12 carries and four touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Pahokee.
RB, James White, St. Thomas, rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while only playing one half, in a 66-8 win over Coral Springs.
WR, Ivan McCartney, Miramar, returned back-to-back punts for scores in a 49-3 win over Northeast.
RB, Tavarius Walker, Ely rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-3 win over Wellington.
Reginonal semifinals: Friday, Nov. 27
6A
Plantation (8-3) vs. Miramar (10-1) - The Patriots defeated Plantation 29-7 in Week 3.
Dr. Krop (7-4) vs. Carol City (7-4) - The Chiefs defeated Krop 12-0 in Week 7.
Northwestern (10-1) vs. Central (10-1) - The Bulls and Rockets have been atop of the 6A rankings all season and look to duel it out for the last time on Friday night. Northwestern rallied to beat Central, 22-14, on Oct. 8.
South Dade (9-2) vs. Southridge (10-0) - The Spartans pulled off a 26-20 win over South Dade in Week 3.
5A
Boyd Anderson (6-5) vs. Blanche Ely (10-1) - The Cobras lost to Ely 26-0 in Week 8.
South Broward (10-1) vs. St. Thomas (11-0) - The Raiders handed South Broward its only loss of the season, 51-7, in Week 9.
4A
Dwyer (10-1) vs. Stranahan (9-2) - After losing their first two games of the season, the Dragons have since won nine straight and look to continue its dominance against Dwyer, which has also won nine straight.
3A
Belen Jesuit (8-3) vs. Booker T. Washington (10-1) - The Tornadoes look to improve its dominance against Belen after holding one of the Miami-Dade County's leading rushers, Norland's Randy Johnson, to only 3.9 yards per carry in last week's quarterfinal.
2A
American Heritage (9-2) vs. Glades Central (10-0) - After starting the season 1-2, the Patriots have since won eight-straight but will have a tough test against Glades Central.
2B
Chaminade (10-0) vs. North Browad Prep (9-2) - After its thrilling 35-0 upset win over Pahokee, Chaminade will look to win its 11th straight game against a tough North Broward Prep team.
1A
American Heritage (Delray Beach) (6-3) vs. Calvary Christian (7-3) - Heritage defeated Calvary 45-21 in Week 9.
