Northwestern Shuts Out Chiefs In Suspended Game

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Marcus Benjamin

Miami, FL — Last year, Miami Carol City was one of the few teams that made the Miami Northwestern defense look average last season.  The Chiefs rolled to a 28-7 victory jumping out to a 22-0 lead through three-quarters last year. This time around Miami Northwestern held the Chiefs to 0 points with 6:18 left in the game when the contest was suspended due to lightning at 10-0.  Head Coach Max Edwards was pleased with the defense as the Bulls have yet to allow any points during this regular season.  

“The defense is paying attention in practice and it’s showing on the field,” said Edwards.  

Senior edge rushers Ernest Johnson and Wati Huggins terrorized the Chief offense causing disruption with tackles for loss and several sacks on the quarterback.  

For the second straight week, Miami Northwestern started with the senior quarterback, Kemani “Showtime” Brown and ended with freshman quarterback Taron “Tiger” Dickson.  Both failed to move the offense with any consistency as Anthony Harris Jr. of Carol City was a menace getting three sacks in the first half alone. Brown did lead the Bulls to their only touchdown drive and moved the chains with his legs in the second quarter.  Senior running back Nathaniel Noel finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown racing to the pylon.  Senior running back Andre Stringfield broke free for some strong runs in the game but the Bulls could not string together positive offensive plays to put more points on the board. 

The Bulls would take a 7-0 lead into halftime but Coach Edwards was quite displeased with the offensive production.  The Bulls switched quarterbacks after Brown threw an interception to freshman Cedric Berry in the 2nd quarter.

“I feel [the offense] made zero progress.  We have a long way to go. The offense has to step it up and get better.”

Two freshmen quarterbacks lead the two historic South Florida high school football programs for the 2019 season.  On the other side freshman quarterback Keyone “Lights Out” Jenkins is the guy at quarterback for the Chiefs. In the offseason, Carol City originally planned to go with former Miramar quarterback Cedquan Smith as their starting quarterback until both parties decided to part ways.  Smith transferred to Western (Davie) in the offseason leaving the door open for the freshman. 

At the start of the fourth quarter, Jenkins was faced with a fourth down inside the red zone and rolled to his right looking for senior Javon Ferguson but the ball was knocked away by Miami Hurricanes commit 2021 Timothy Burns Jr.  It was the second consecutive time the Chiefs turned the ball over on downs inside the ten-yard line.

On the ensuing possession, from the one-yard line, the rain began to fall and “Tiger” found 2020 Miami commit Marcus Fleming near the sideline and the senior made a sharp cut that would spring him across the middle of the field for a 71-yard gain.

“The ball was in the air and I know we needed a big play,” said Fleming.  “I just had to make a play and go get it.”

Marcus Fleming, WR, Miami Northwestern

Once again the drive would stall, and the Bulls would settle for a field goal.  Kicker Leo Zuazo connected on a 42-yard field goal to make it a two-score game mid-fourth quarter.  

“It’s a long season,” said Edwards.  “It’s still early and hopefully, they’ll get better.” 

The Chiefs have a new head coach in Josh Taylor who took over for Benedict Hyppolite in the offseason.  Hyppolite joined former Miami Booker T. Washington head coach Tim “Ice” Harris at Florida Memorial University, the only historically black university in South Florida. FMU  is scheduled to play their first game in the 2020 season. The Chiefs continue to run a quick tempo no-huddle offense and look to finally get it going on now down 10-0.

That’s when lightning struck.

The game has been suspended until further notice.  Likely a decision will come tomorrow with a decision on whether the game will continue or not.  


After week two is complete Carol City continues one of the toughest schedules in the nation as they take on Miami Central next Friday at 7:30 PM back at Traz.   The Bulls are scheduled to travel to IMG Academy in Bradenton next week.

About Marcus Benjamin

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.
This entry was posted in Florida, High School Football and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.