Last year when Eugene Smith and his Miramar Patriots lost to Miami Northwestern in a region final game, the talented quarterback offered some advice for teams playing his Patriots in 2009.
“Some people will laugh at me for saying this,” Smith smiled. “But this team you see out here will be better next year. It may be the best defense in South Florida.”
With those words, Smith headed off to West Virginia and left fans with the thought that the Patriots would be a better team in 2009 than they were in 2008, which for some was hard to believe.
Despite a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas this year, which is certainly nothing to hang your heads in shame over, the Patriots have been exactly what Smith said they would be. They have dominated every opponent with a stingy, quick defense and an opportunistic offense that scores when the team needs a lift.
This is a defense that led the county this season, yielding less than 130 total yards and 8 points a game. That has added up to a regional semifinal appearance for the second straight year, this Friday at home against Miami’s surprise team, Dr. Michael Krop, a team that has also played well and comes into the game with plenty of momentum.
“We learned last year that we take nobody lightly,” said head coach Damon Cogdell, who has guided the Patriots to an 11-1 record. “Every opponent in the playoffs belongs just where they are at, and if you look at the upsets in the first two rounds, you can understand why this game has our attention - big time.”
The Patriots roll into the game with Dr. Krop fresh from their second win of the season against district foe, Plantation. Once again, it was the defense that dictated the outcome of a contest that was close for much the game.
The 23-7 win showcased a defense that registered 4 sacks and limited the Colonels to just 48 total yards. Devin Drane’s 93-yard kickoff return to open the game was the only score.
On offense, senior quarterback Ryan Williams threw for 126 yards. Seniors Donte Chambers (6 receptions for 56 yards) and Ivan McCartney (4-46) led the way.
Senior running back Jeremiah Hicks was steady once again as he had two touchdowns.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS AT BLANCHE ELY
This game was set up when the nation’s No. 1 Raiders (12-0) rolled over district rival South Broward, 63-0, for the second time in November, and the Tigers (11-1) edged district rival Boyd Anderson for the second time this year, 34-26.
In the win over Boyd Anderson, quarterback Michael German scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown - his second of the game - and then he hooked up with Clinton Jones for a 5-yard touchdown later in the quarter to give the Tigers their 8-point cushion. Tavarius Walker had 88 with two touchdowns.
The Raiders moved one step closer to a second national championship as junior quarterback Jacob Ruduck threw for 4 touchdown passes and won for the 36th consecutive time.
Rudock tossed scoring passes to Gavin Sinclair, Rashad Greene, Jamal Wilson and Phillip Dorsett as they put the ball in the end zone on nine straight possessions.
James White, Lamarcus Joyner, Nicholas Arena, Dami Ayoola and Rudock also scored rushing TDs for St. Thomas.
Rudock's third touchdown pass of the night - a 21-yard screen that Jamal Wilson took for a score, which tied Ryan Becker's STA season record of 30 set during last year's championship season. Becker's mark fell on the Raiders' next series, as Rudock hit Dorsett on a 33-yard post pattern with 3:24 left before halftime.
THIS WEEK
With just three BCAA teams left, I will try and keep my impressive post season going.
St. Thomas at Blanche Ely: THE PICK: St. Thomas 44, Ely 12
Dr. Krop at Miramar: THE PICK: Miramar 20, Dr. Krop 6
LAST WEEK: 4-0. TWO WEEK TOTAL: 12-2.
You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM). |
