The near capacity crowd withstood the annoying drizzle and multiple stoppages to be treated to a thriller that saw history made.
Amongst the thousands who attended were University of Miami coaching staff members offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, wide receiver’s coach Aubrey Hill and running backs coach Tommie Robinson who is recruiting Miramar wide out Ivan McCartney. Also in attendance were current University of Miami players Jacory Harris, Brandon Harris, Tommy Streeter and others. In attendance with them were Cane commits QB Stephen Morris from Pace, RB Eduardo Clements from Booker T. Washington and Washington D.C. linebacker Javarie Johnson.
All were on hand to watch an entertaining game that began with Miramar taking a 14-0 lead. Central scored at the end of the first half due in large part to plays made by Central QB Jeffrey Godfrey running the football. Miramar’s defense led by linebacker Jamal Bass was as adveritsed. The Patriots did not allow Central running back Brandon Gainer to get the big plays nor did they allow the Central passing game to be really explosive.
For Miramar, it was interesting to see Ivan McCartney diplay his athleticism and versatility by playing safety and producing a couple of solid punt returns. Offensively, McCartney was held in check due mostly in part to Miramar quarterback Ryan Williams not being able to get ball to McCartney. Williams served up two interceptions in the contest. However, Williams came up big in the end. With time winding down in the contest, Williams rolled to his left and heaved one deep for Malcom Lewis. Lewis hauled in the pass, broke a tackle and gave Miramar the lead they ended the game with. Sophomore cornerback Tracey Howard gave up Central’s 2nd TD but he looks to be a player. Howard picked off Central QB Jeffrey Godfrey in the red zone during the first half and raced the ball into Miramar territory setting up the Patriots’ 2nd score. Dante Chambers showed his worth with several solid catches.
For Central, Jeffrey Godfrey has a cannon for an arm. There was no downfield pass that is too far and he has nice zip on his intermediate routes. With that said, Godfrey sruggles to read the defenses. Several passes should have been picked off by Miramar but they were dropped. Godfrey made many big plays with his legs and showed good speed in doing so. Brandon Gainer was held in check. Joshua Reece was quiet due mostly to Miramar’s scheme. However, he made some big catches including a nice deep one from Godfrey to put Central on the scoreboard for the first time in the game.
Miramar advanced to the state final for the first time in the school’s history.
Chad Wilson is a college football recruiting expert and creator of the GridironStudsApp which allows high school football players to gain exposure to college football coaches and fans. Wilson is a former college football player for the University of Miami (92-94) and Long Beach St. (’90-’91) and played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks (’95). He is also a former youth and high school football coach for over 15 years most recently for 5-A State of Florida Champs American Heritage. He runs All Eyes DB Camp a defensive back training company located in South Florida IG: @alleyesdbcamp. Wilson’s oldest son Quincy plays in the NFL for the New York Giants and his younger son plays cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals.
