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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.
HALFTIME: Big 62-yard gain by @MNW_Bulls1955 RB Andre Stringfield here does not result in points as Bulls are pushed back out of field goal range due to a @CarolCitySr1 sack by 2020 edge rusher Anthony Harris Jr. 7-0 Bulls leading. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/Q8cdAbbIWl
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 30, 2019
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.”
.@CanesFootball commit @_18flavorz makes the one-handed catch here in the red zone for @MNW_Bulls1955. Bulls still up 7-0 on Carol City mid 3rd. Brantley cramping at end of play. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/7jpC3TVFou
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 30, 2019
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.
The Bulls extend lead 10-0 with a 42-yard @leoball_1k field goal. @MNW_Bulls1955 have 9:06 to hold off a Chiefs comeback. Score setup by a 71-yard catch and run by @CanesFootball commit @_humble_3. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/fLnNpefX7k
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 30, 2019
“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.
Fourth Quarter: Score remains 7-0 Bulls leading as @MNW_Bulls1955 gets stop against Carol City on 4th down. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/Bk01qtSWvu
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 30, 2019
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.
