Marcus Benjamin @_benjaminmoney
Miami, FL – The Miami Palmetto Panthers believe they can win the state title and made an adamant statement on Thursday. They defeated Belen Jesuit (Miami) 45-7 behind a strong performance from their quarterback Cairiq Rackley. The senior went 13-19 for 239 yards and three touchdowns at Tropical Park.
“He’s the best quarterback in Miami,” said Head Coach Mike Manasco. “I’d like to see anybody argue that. His play all season has been efficient. He steps up in stages like this. He’s been starting on varsity since he was a freshman. It takes that kind of experience and leadership to put performances like this up tonight.”
Rackley connected twice with sophomore receiver Brashard Smith for touchdowns. Smith had four catches for 70 yards in the game.
“I just told coach I could get open,” said Smith. “We’re just letting our next opponent know we here.”
The Panther defense completely shut down the triple option offense of Belen Jesuit. They held the Wolverines to 45 total yards, two first downs and zero points in the first half. Special teams for the Panthers was also a factor as three punts were returned for touchdowns, but one by senior Cornelius Nunn was called back due to a block in the back. A 47-yard punt return by sophomore Jason Marshall helped to extend the lead 17-0 at the half and freshman Tyrone Maxwell returned the last punt for a touchdown lead by a convoy of Panthers in second half.
“We dedicate a lot of practice time to [special teams] everyday,” said Coach Manasco. “At the end of the day when you have special players and they step up and make plays, that’s what this games about.”
Belen would possess the ball first in the second half and would execute a drive that would chew up about nine minutes off the clock and end it with a Rafael Ruiz touchdown run that would trim the lead 17-7.
Palmetto countered quickly with a drive that would only take one minute and 21 seconds. The drive would end with the first of Smith’s touchdowns as he would take a screen pass from Rackley and out run the defender for the score.
The Panthers of Palmetto take one minute and 21 seconds to strike back with this touchdown catch and run by @BrashardS. @PantherPride305 up 24-7 over Belen late 3rd qtr in this first round playoff game. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/HTk3b3ZzIf
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) November 9, 2018
“After they scored that touchdown I talked to my offense and said we have to go down there and punch them in the throat and everything else would take car of itself.” said Rackley.
The Panthers would force a fumble on the next possession as the football was recovered by senior Cuevas Russ deep in Wolverine territory. Rackley and Smith made their second touchdown connection and Belen never had a chance afterward.
.@BrashardS gets the foot down for the touchdown to extend the @PantherPride305 lead. Score now 31-7 with 11:47 left in the game. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/pBhbCSl6F3
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminMoney) November 9, 2018
Palmetto moves on to play the winner of Miami Columbus and Coral Gables next week and the Panthers made it very clear who they want to play.
“Columbus is the team I want to play,” said Rackley. “We can beat anybody. It’s not going to be a cake walk for them. They better expect a good game.”
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