Miami-Dade County Roundup: Week 3

[Peter Ariz]

Southridge (1-2) 21
Columbus (2-1) 34
-The final score is not a good indication of what happened during this game. Columbus dominated and was up 27-0 at one point late in the 3rd. Southridge scored 3 touchdowns to make it look nice on the scoreboard, but CCHS had the game in hand the whole time.

Here were my thoughts from the game:

-These two teams were coming into the game at two completely different sides of the spectrum. Columbus defeated rival Belen 49-3, while Southridge lost to Homestead 14-0. Not much changed for the two sides after tonight's game. Columbus was just the more disciplined and physical. The Spartans are going to have to change their ways soon because they face another tough test with 3-0 Killian next week.

-Miami commit Jamal Carter was incredible on kick returns. He returned it 3 times and each one was for 40 yards or more. I really don't know why Southridge doesn't use him on the offensive side of the ball a little bit because they could use a spark in the passing game. I'm guessing they don't want to overextend him because of his history with injuries, but it would definitely help them move the ball downfield. Defensively, he still has a ways to go as far as learning the safety position. He wasn't covering FSU commit Jesus Wilson like we expected, rather Lamar Robbins was doing that. Carter was very physical in the run game and not afraid to make a big hit all night. There were a couple of occasions where he didn't take the best angle on the ball carrier, but that is something he could learn with time. I really like his attitude on the field. He plays with a controlled rage.

-Jesus Wilson continued his incredible season. He beat Lamar Robbins for a TD about 30 yards and had a 50 yard reception on a screen. Word is that FSU wants to take him as a DB.

-Southridge 2014 RB Jamal Adjamah had a big night with all three touchdowns.

-Columbus handled their multiple suspensions well with Sophomore QB Andres Fernandez having a standout game. I wouldn't be surprised to see a possible
quarterback controversy brewing between him and Tucker Beirne, who was suspended and has not looked extremely sharp. Fernandez can run very effectively and adds another dimension to the offense.

-2015 DB Calvin Brewton recorded his first interception at the varsity level. Brewton looks like he has the potential to be a 4-star caliber recruit when his time comes and a lot of people within the Columbus program think he has similar ability to Deon Bush.

-Columbus looks like the 8A favorite right now with both Miramar and Plant seem to be having down years.

Game Highlights: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/southridge-vs-columbus

Coral Reef (1-1) 13
Homestead (2-1) 29
-The Broncos followed up their gutsy performance against Southridge with another statement victory over the 'Cudas. Ermon Lane continues to make the most of his opportunities, as he scored on a 93-yard reception. Lane caught 2 passes for 99 yards and the score. 2014 ATH Mario Mezier also scored on an 83-yard catch. Johnnie Hankins added 72 yards and a TD on the ground for the Broncos.


Killian (3-0) 16
Edison (0-3) 0
-The Cougars resurgent season continued on Thursday night, as they got a hard-fought win over Edison. 2014 CB Trumaine Washington had 2 picks for Killian, while 2015 ATH JaQuan Johnson scored twice on the ground and had a 27-yard reception. The Cougars will learn a lot about themselves next Saturday night when they play Southridge.

Game Highlights: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/killian-vs-edison

Coral Gables (2-1) 0
Northwestern (3-0) 42
-The Bulls dominated this game from the start, as Miami commit Artie Burns returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. MNW scored all 5 of their other TDs on the ground, as Darius Tice had a big night with over 100 yards and 2 scores. The Bulls face Carol City next week in an intriguing matchup.

Game Highlights: http://sfhighschoolsports.com/videos/all/northwestern-vs-coral-gables

Belen Jesuit (1-2) 35
Gulliver (0-3) 33
-Belen notched their first win of the season over a struggling Gulliver squad in a high-scoring ballgame. The vintage Wolverines Wing-T went to work, as they totaled 304 yards on the ground. Alex Diblasi scored twice for Belen, once on a 49-yard reception and the other on a 32-yard run. Gulliver star Bo Ellis had 159 yards and 2 TDs. Belen opens district play next week at home against Homestead.

Carol City (2-1) 19
Jackson (2-1) 15
-Neither quarterback had the incredible game that I thought they would. Jackson QB Quinton Flowers only threw for 78 yards and ran for 66, while Carol City QB Akeem Jones threw for 88 yards. The Chiefs turned it over 4 times, yet were still able to hold onto the win. All 3 of their touchdowns were on the ground.

Central (1-2) 34
Manatee (3-0) 44
-The Rockets fell in a shootout to a team that a lot of people consider the best in the nation. Joseph Yearby did all he could to keep Central in the game with 102 yards and 2 TDs, while Dalvin Cook really struggled to get it going against the vaunted Manatee defensive line. Cook mustered only 2 yards on 8 carries, but did have a 21-yard TD on a weaving run after the catch. 2015 Central WR Davante Phillips followed up his big performance against Booker T last week with 9 catches for 127 yards. The Manatee offense was ultimately too much for Central, as Mississippi State commit Cord Sandberg threw 4 TDs and RB Trevon Walters had 227 total yards including an 85-yard TD that sealed the game. Central has a bye next week.

Game Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ROmOojzkY

Booker T (2-1) 40
Cedar Hill (Tx.) (1-2) 21
-Following their tough loss to Central last week, the Tornadoes traveled to Texas to face Cedar Hill. It was back-and-forth early on before BTW pulled away behind the performance of QB Treon Harris. Harris threw for 208 yards and 2 scores, while rushing for 120 yards and 2 TDs. Booker T RB D'Von Ballard had a big night as well, rising for 139 yards and 2 scores. The Tornadoes will travel to Orlando to face Jones next week. That will be a nice battle between FSU commit Levonte Whitfield and Booker T corner Nigel Patten. They are two of the fastest athletes in the entire country.