Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
All season Miami Central has proved to be a second half team. In four of their five games this season, the Rockets were down on the scoreboard but were able to turn on the jets in the second half. Versus Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), they were down by 14 before winning 48-21. Against Miami Booker T. Washington, Central was down 5-3 in the second quarter before taking over in the second half to win 41-5. In our nation’s capital, the Rockets found themselves down 17-7 to St. Johns (DC) at the half before rallying to send the game to overtime.
Last weekend, Central found themselves down once again, this time to St. Thomas Aquinas 21-14 with about six minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Once again Central would turn it up and defeat St. Thomas 43-27 on the Raiders’ home field. The Rockets are not afraid of the big moments and seem to play bigger when the pressure is on. Central proved against St. Thomas that despite their one loss to St. Johns in five overtimes, they are still one of the best teams in the country and you can never count them out of a game.
Here are some telling stats in one of the biggest ball games of the season.
The Central Running Game Averaged Six Yards Per Carry
The St. Thomas defense is still one of the best in the nation with All-Americans and D-1 players at every position. So to average six yards a carry is more than just impressive. Central has three capable running backs in Lexington “Flex” Joseph, Kejon “KJ” Owens and Shemar “Jesus” Paul that can break the big one at any time. The 2019 prospect Joseph had a 63-yard run in this game and rushed for 112 yards on 10 carries. The junior Paul got into the end-zone late on a ten yard touchdown run.
Much credit should be given to the Rocket offensive line. Lead by senior Maurice Smith and Miami commit sophomore Laurence Seymour, Central just wears teams down in the second half.
Central also got help on the ground from their quarterback Marshall commit Maurice Underwood. The signal caller reached pay-dirt four times with his legs on zone read plays.
Central Receivers Averaged 26 yards per catch
Underwood hitting on the big plays in the air has been a theme all season. He connected on 62, 57, 33, and 40 yard pass plays to four different receivers. His one touchdown pass, a gorgeous 62-yard throw to Anthony Colonel.
Central Defense Was in the Backfield Often Producing 11 Tackles for Losses
Senior Tatum Bethune was an absolute beast in this game. The UCF commit totaled 10 tackles, four for loss and two sacks. Zamareeh Odoms also had double digit tackles with eleven.
Miami Central will look to continue momentum as they face their district rival Miami Norland Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium. Norland comes into the game at (1-4).
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