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Westchester, FL — Columbus (Miami) lost in the 8A state championship game last season, lost their head coach after that 2018 season to a college football program, lost four games this season but did not lose hope. The Explorers advanced to the state championship game for the second year in a row with a 28-21 win over Deerfield Beach at Tropical Park.
“We never talked about last year or where we were in terms of our record, our kids just concentrated on getting better,” said Columbus Head Coach Dave Dunn.
The Columbus defense held down the Deerfield Beach offense and came up with three key stops in the red zone to help punch their ticket to the state title game.
“My D-Line had to be tough,” said defensive end and Miami commit Elijah Roberts. “My [defense] had to come focused. My D-Line definitely played tough.”
The game kicked off at noon and was the stand-alone game on a day that all the other state semifinals will be played later Friday night. Henry Parrish Jr. continues to have a spectacular senior season and had another nice day rushing the football scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter.
The Pittsburgh commit got in the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown to put the Explorers up early 7-0. Parrish scored his second touchdown from one yard out to make it a 14-0 game after a 55-yard run by junior running back Vershod Quinn.
Columbus strikes quickly with this 19-yard touchdown run from @DoubleTay_21. @ColumbusFtball up 7-0 over Deerfield with 7:57 left in the 1st quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/8ti901ZKxl
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 29, 2019
“We had to keep them on their heels,” said Parrish. “We had to execute and we finished the job.”
Parrish carried the ball 31 times for 123 yards and the two scores.
Deerfield lost the game failing to convert in the red zone. The first of those squandered opportunities came in the second quarter as Miami Hurricanes commit Jaylan Knighton failed to get in on fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Deerfield would later settle for a red-zone field goal attempt with 6:11 left in the half, but the kick would hit the upright. The Bucks would find paydirt later in the second quarter when Tulane commit Michael Pratt threw it up for Maryland commit Deajuan McDougle and the senior receiver would come down with the football catching it over the Columbus defender .
The Explorers would take a 14-7 lead into halftime. Pratt would finish the game 21 of 33 for 174 yards but would turn the ball over three times.
In the third quarter, the schools would trade scores. The Explorers extended their lead when seniors Brandon McDuffey and Xzavier Henderson connected on a 95-yard touchdown down the sideline.
Columbus starts the second half with a 95-yard touchdown to @XXH_03. @ColumbusFtball extends lead to 21-7 over Deerfield with 7:20 left in the 3rd quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/emv5M1uLkP
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 29, 2019
Henderson extended for the football and caught the ball with his fingertips and outran two defenders to the goal line. The four-star Henderson plays both offense and defense, and because of that, plays with a next play mentality.
“I’m going to remember these games for the rest of my life,” said Henderson. “It’s something I enjoy [playing both ways]. You got to have that next play mentality. If you mess up one play you don’t have time to keep thinking about it.”
The Bucks would bounce back with a score of their own from Knighton. The senior running back exploded for a 35-yard run where he high-stepped his way for a touchdown. The score made it a 21-14 game with 5:27 left in the third quarter. Knighton rushed for 109 on 13 carries.
Jaylan Knighton, new commit for @CanesFootball, high steps his way to the end zone for @DB_BucksFB. Score 21-14 with 5:27 left in the 3rd quarter. Columbus leads. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/g36d296Rey
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 29, 2019
Columbus would counter on the next drive as Jahvar McSween took a McDuffey pass and slipped through tackles and took it the distance for an 80-yard touchdown. The touchdown would prove to be the winning score for the Explorers who never trailed in the game. McDuffey went 7 of 12 for 219 yards and two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Columbus scores again as junior Jahvar McSween houses this one for an 80-yard score! @ColumbusFtball up 28-14 over Deerfield with 5:07 left in the 3rd. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/Xrgn1T8yrZ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 29, 2019
“They are a great football team,” said Coach Dunn. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that much talent on one sideline in my entire high school career. Our kids just came to play and I’m proud of our guys.”
Deerfield was never truly out of this game as Miami commit Xavier Restrepo converted on a fake punt that would put the Bucks in the red zone once again. On the next play, however, Pratt would have a pass deflected that would fall into the arms of Joseph Price shutting down another Buck drive. Pratt would get into the endzone with 34 seconds remaining but it would not be enough as the ensuing onside kick would fall into the hands of Henderson.
Columbus will look to win their first championship in school history in two weeks in Daytona in the FHSAA state finals. The Explorers will await the winner of the Apopka/Steinbrenner matchup later on Friday night.
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