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Miami– It’s been over a decade since the Miami Carol City Chiefs have won a football state championship, and respect for their proud tradition has eroded slowly over time. Known for their physicality and discipline, the road to state always required a stop on ‘Chief Pride’ Drive.
However, the recent dominance of the Miami Central Rockets has relegated the Chiefs to an afterthought in the minds of many football fans in Miami Dade County. Their match up Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium presented the Chiefs with another opportunity to change the narrative concerning their program. To the casual observer, it probably looked as if they were headed to another season of unfulfilled potential and mediocrity after starting 0-2. However, fans who braved the weather delay and were in attendance to see the 34-7 destruction of the defending state champions may have witnessed the rebirth of Chief Pride.
After a 45 minute lightning delay, the Chiefs received the opening kickoff and sent a message to their opponent on first down. Marlon Smith, QB, (9-15 for 175 yds. TDs) took the snap and launched a 40 yard bomb to WR Johaun Beresford (2 rec. for 50 yds.), who had streaked past his defender along the opposing sideline. But his hands betrayed him, and he let the perfectly placed spiral slip right through his grasp. Carol City would not convert on third down and punted the ball to the Rockets. The Rockets first play was a hand off to RB Willie Davis and he scampered up the field for a 10 yard gain. Carol City committed a personal foul on the play as well, placing the ball at the Chiefs 37 yard line. On the next play, QB Tijuane Morten fumbled an errant shotgun snap, resulting in a ten yard loss. Unable to overcome that error, Central was forced to punt as well, forcing both teams to realize they had wasted an opportunity to take control of the game.
Marlon Smith
After achieving a first down and advancing the ball to their own 24 yard line, Carol City lined up in the Wildcat with RB Nay’quan Wright (10 car. for 128 yds. & 2TDs, 1-1 61yds.) receiving the direct snap. He threw a quick screen to WR Kevaughn Dingle, who read his blocks perfectly and weaved his way along the hash marks. Although there was nothing in between the end zone and himself, he was run down and tackled after a 61 yard gain. Victor Tucker, WR, (6 rec. for 49 yds. 2TDs) dropped a sure touchdown on second and goal from the 4, but on the ensuing play, dove and caught a slant to make it 7-0. Central’s offense sputtered against the swarming Chief defense, resulting in their second punt of the game.
On first down from the Rockets’ 49 yard line, Carol City dialed up the same play they called to start the game. Beresford went right by his defender again, and this time he hauled in Smith’s rainbow for a 47 yard completion. Two plays later, Wright plunged into the end zone from one yard out and the score was 13-0 (PAT No Good). The bewilderment was obvious in the Rockets’ body language and demeanor, and the controlled confidence of their opponent foreshadowed the eventual outcome of the game. On second down from their own 47 yard line, Morten overthrew his intended receiver and the ball was intercepted by DB Naytron Culpepper. However, the Chiefs were unable to take advantage of the turnover and the two teams exchanged punts, giving Carol City the ball on their own 25 yard line.
At the time, no one knew how close this contest was to being over, but Smith and WR Terrence Horne, Jr. decided to do their best to end the competitive portion of the football game. On first down, Smith dropped back to pass and hurled a bomb that had the trajectory of a javelin toss. The ball was so high and stayed in the air so long, it gave spectators an opportunity to glance down to watch the receiver run his route. At the apex of the throw, Horne looked to be running alongside the defensive back. The pigskin seemed to float even higher, giving Horne an opportunity to change gears and create separation. By the time the ball dropped over his shoulder and landed in his hands, he had gained a few steps and was accelerating to the end zone. The defender lunged in desperation and clipped his ankles, but Horne maintained his balance and strode across the goal line. After a successful two point conversion, the score ballooned to 21-0.
There would be no more scoring before the teams exited the field for intermission. Upon their return to the sidelines, the Rockets attempted to establish the run and keep the ball out of Smith’s hands.. A twelve play drive that barely covered 30 yards ended with another punt after Central was penalized for holding. The call negated a 45 yard touchdown run, leaving the Central faithful to wonder what else could go wrong. Carol City promptly returned the favor by fumbling the ball and giving it back to the Rockets.
Central finally put together a drive late in the third quarter, and RB James Cook exploded out of the Wildcat for a 28 yard gain that took the Central offense to the Carol City three yard line. On the next play, he carried the ball into the end zone and gave his teammates hope that there was a chance for a comeback. With the score 21-7, the Chiefs seemed determined to pound the Rockets into submission. Alternating between Wright and RB Camron Davis, the Chiefs chewed up yardage and time on their way to the clinching touchdown. However, the drive seemed destined to fail after Carol City became sloppy inside the ten, jumping offsides and not executing. But, on third and goal from the ten yard line, Smith found Tucker on the slant again, and he held on to the pass while absorbing a hard shot from the defensive back as he crossed the goal line. Although the PAT was missed, the Chiefs lead comfortably 27-7 with less than six minutes to play. After stopping Central one more time, Wright put the exclamation point on the victory with a powerful 54 yard touchdown run to cap the scoring at 34-7.
After the clock hit 0:00, to a man, the Chiefs spoke rather matter-of-factly when describing their performance against the four time state champions. Describing the success the offense had running and passing against Central’s defense, QB Marlon Smith responded, “We went off what the defense gave us and we executed.” Victor Tucker characterized his two touchdown performance as, “An average game. We just got to keep working, there’s more to it than just a regular season victory. We’re trying to win state.” But when asked if the Chiefs are back, Terrence Horne, Jr. took the opportunity to send a message to those who may have counted his team out.
“Don’t let those two losses fool you, we’re back. In full effect, as you can see by the scoreboard. Don’t sleep on us.”
After a performance like this, everybody should be wide awake.
[author image=”http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr136/theloneb/24a44baf-f87a-41d9-b5e8-37e93537bf09.jpg” ]Wayne Poller began contributing to Football Hotbed in August of 2016. He’s an experienced writer and Football Coach with a passion for the sport. Wayne covers high school football for Football Hotbed.[/author]
