Carol City Overcomes Slow Start To Defeat Rival Booker T. Washington, 39-17


Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney

Miami, FL – Perhaps the number one team on our rankings all season overlooked their rival from Overtown on Thursday night at Traz Powell Stadium.  The Chiefs quickly found themselves down 10-0 mid second quarter and all of us watching were left to wonder if this was the night that the Chiefs would be blown away by the Tornadoes.

“I don’t know who said this quote but big time players show up in big time games,” said senior running back Nay’Quan Wright.  “I wanted to respond for my team.”

Senior Running Back Nay’Quan Wright

Wright was right on time with his response as he scorched the Tornado defense for a 26-yard touchdown run to get his team on the scoreboard.  Wright does not have an official top five but does hold offers from Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Syracuse and UCF.

Just before the conclusion of the half, senior quarterback Daniel Richardson found backup quarterback/wide receiver Lorenzo Floyd for an electrifying touchdown catch and run to make it a 14-10 game.

“He’s our leader and we always lean on him,” said Coach Hyppolite of his starting quarterback.  “We appreciate his play on a week to week basis.  It’s a lot that’s asked from him being that he is at a program like Miami Carol City.”

Richardson went 19 for 25 for 337 yards and four touchdowns against his former team.  Richardson transferred to Carol City this season for his senior year.

“Hats off to that kid,” said Wright.  “He went up against his old team.  It was a bit of a struggle for him, then he picked it up and got us the win.”

Senior Quarterback Daniel Richardson

Much credit should be given to the Washington defense that was able to force some turnovers and contain the high powered Chief offense.  Sophomore quarterback Torrey Morrison was also particularly impressive as he was under duress all game, but still managed to make plays by buying time with his legs and connecting with his receivers on the run.  Senior running back Marcus Barthell scored from one yard out with about 10 minutes left in the game to make the score 20-17 giving the Tornadoes hopes for an upset.

The Chiefs would score 19 straight points from that point forward and shut the door on any chance of a loss.  Richardson threw touchdown passes in the second half to junior D’Andre Stafford, junior Thaiu Jones-Bell and senior Amari Johnson.

 

“It’s always good when you have the opportunity to be challenged,” said Hyppolite.  “I was very proud on how these guys remained resilient despite what the circumstances were in the game.”

The victory sets up a colossal game with Miami Central next Friday at Traz Powell.  Central gets rival Miami Northwestern Friday.

“It’s just a regular game,” said Wright.  “The fans are going to make it bigger than what it is. We gon’ come wit it.”

Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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