Miami Central rolls past Booker T. Washington in Florida football playoffs; Norland rematch next
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – After yet another convincing performance, Miami Central coach Jube Joseph rallied his team with one simple word:
“Next!”
The word has become a mantra for the Rockets (8-3) during a season in which they’ve uncharacteristically suffered three losses.
The four-time defending state champions have no intentions of dropping a fourth game, which would mean elimination.
On Friday night, Central sent a reminder that it indeed is a state championship favorite with a dominating 35-13 win over Booker T. Washington in the Class 2M-Region 4 Florida high school football semifinals at Nathaniel Traz Powell Stadium.
Lawayne McCoy, a Florida State commit, caught two touchdown passes and made an interception on a night the senior rarely left the field.
Miami Central's LaWayne McCoy, a Florida State commit, had a big night with two touchdown catches and an interception in the Rockets' 35-13 playoff win over Booker T. Washington.
Photo by Joe Frisaro
Booker T. Washington (9-3) had been playing at a high level and many considered a sleeper to upset Central. But the Tornadoes, who had won five straight, were again without quarterback Claudell Sherman, who has been dealing with a collarbone injury.
Booker T. missed Sherman's elusiveness and his passing and running abilities.
Central’s imposing defense, led by McCoy, linebacker Ezekiel “EJ” Marcelin and defensive lineman Armondo Blount, who has committed to FSU, were able to clamp down on Booker T. Washington’s offense.
With the win, Central gets its rematch with undefeated Miami Norland, which beat the Rockets, 29-26, on Oct. 6.
The two Miami-Dade powers meet next Friday in the Class 2M-Region 4 finals at Traz Powell.
“Whoever is next has got our undivided attention,” Joseph said. “We don’t put the carriage before the horse. We just know whoever is next is who we’re focused on. We’re about the next play, the next day, and the next game.”
The Rockets’ ultimate goal is to make history with a fifth straight state championship. A year ago, when they ran the string to four straight, they went undefeated.
It’s been a tougher climb this year.
The season started with a loss to arguably the best team in the country, Bishop Gorman, 39-35, in Las Vegas. Three weeks later, Central fell 31-28 to national power Chaminade-Madonna. And on Oct. 13, Norland prevailed in overtime.
From that loss to Norland, Central has treated every game like the playoffs.
As Central has regrouped and rebounded, Joseph has been impressed by the team’s focus.
“I love their attention to detail,” Joseph said. “I love their ability to fight through adversity and not make excuses. I love the way that they find a way to finish.”
There have been ups and downs, and inconsistencies throughout the season. Even in Central’s first playoff win, 31-13, against Miami Edison last week, the Rockets had lapses that kept Edison within striking distance until late in the game.
Friday was more of a complete game for the Rockets, against a formidable opponent.
Central will need another complete effort against Norland (12-0), which beat Monsignor Pace, 52-27, on Thursday.
“For us, we know what we sign up for as the Rockets,” Joseph said. “We take all losses very seriously.”
Early on Friday, Booker T. Washington struck first. An interception by Ben Hanks Jr. set up the Tornadoes’ first touchdown, a 21-yard scoring pass from Anthony McQueen to Antonio Branch Jr.
Central responded behind the shifty running of Jayden Ford, who dashed 24-yards for the tying touchdown.
The Rockets took the lead for good on McCoy’s 30-yard touchdown catch from Antonio Smith with 19.2 seconds left in the first quarter.
At that point, the game was delayed for about a half hour because a trainer on Central’s staff was injured on the sidelines, and transported to a local hospital.
Central went into halftime leading, 14-7, and took control in the third quarter.
Quarterback JC Evans capped a 48-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard run to make it 21-7. And after a Derrick Manke recovered a fumble deep in Tornadoes’ territory, the Rockets were able to move the ball to the seven yard line as the third quarter ended.
Two plays into the fourth quarter, Evans hooked up with McCoy on a 7-yard touchdown pass play to make it 28-7.
A 38-yard scoring run by Khaleal Sterling broke open a 35-7 lead with 8:53 remaining.
Booker T. Washington scored late on McQueen’s 2-yard TD run in the final minutes.
McCoy’s interception came in the fourth quarter, and sent a reminder that the senior is one of the top all-around players in South Florida.
“With me being a leader, and me going both ways for my team, it’s just, ‘Make the plays,’ ” McCoy said. “That’s really it.”
McCoy has experienced state championships, and understands the mindset of focusing on what’s next. For the Rockets, it’s Norland.
“Next is not getting happy over just a win,” McCoy said. “Just focusing on the next thing. The next task at hand.”
