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Miami, FL — The two Dade County rivals have ten state championships among them and met in the first round of the 4A playoffs Thursday night at Traz Powell Stadium. Miami Booker T. Washington would get the best of Miami Carol City in a 35-14 win. The two teams now have to go through each other with the class realignment and are in arguably the toughest region in the 4A Florida state playoffs.
Junior quarterback Torey Morrison scored a touchdown on the ground and two in the air to Jacorey Brooks to run away with the opening round victory.
Juniors @Toreymorrison3 and @c7_brooks connect for their first touchdown on the night for @MiamiBTW_FB. Tornadoes beat Chiefs 35-14 in opening 4A playoff round. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/xjPdJ8mxjq
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 8, 2019
Washington was eliminated last year in the second round by Glades Central (Belle Glade) with Morrison less than a hundred percent due to injury.
“It’s big because I can be at my hundred percent,” said Morrison about being healthy compared to last year. “Last year I had a knee brace and it was hurting me, but this year I’m fully healthy.”
The Tornadoes came into the game as a four seed but fell behind to the five seeded Chiefs in the first half. Junior running back Katravis Geter would get into the end zone on a one-yard run that was set up by a 32-yard diving catch by Marcell Williams. Geter would finish the game with 178 yards rushing on 24 carries and the one touchdown.
Booker T. would strike back on the ensuing drive with a touchdown tieing drive that ended with a Shemar Paul six-yard touchdown run. Booker T. would get a critical score just before the half to seize the momentum.
“We had to change momentum,” said Morrison.
The young quarterback known as “Scooter,” scooted over the goal line with 14 seconds left to help his team take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
Tornado quarterback @Toreymorrison3 gets in the end zone for the two-yard touchdown. @MiamiBTW_FB is up 14-7 over Carol City with 14 seconds left in the half. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/8dj1SycRAv
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 8, 2019
Morrison went 17 of 26 for 202 yards with two passing touchdowns and the rushing score.
“He’s 5’7” 5’8” in stature but a great kid, great demeanor, great heart,” said Coach Ben Hanks. “Having him healthy in the playoffs is great because we will live and die with that kid.”
The scoring would continue for the Tornadoes in the second half as Morrison would find four-star Brooks for one of two touchdown connections. The first was a fade to the corner of the endzone for an 18-yard touchdown.
The second would come later in the game to extend the Booker T. lead to 35-14 with 8:22 left to play.
That’s ✌🏽for @c7_brooks. @Toreymorrison3 rolls out and finds the 2021 @MiamiBTW_FB receiver and helps put the Tornadoes up 35-14 over Carol City with 8:22 left. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/WGJoDLZ0D8
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 8, 2019
The big junior defensive lineman Anthony Hundley at 6’1″ 250 pounds had perhaps the most exciting play of the game when he tipped the ball to himself and outran the Chiefs down the sideline for a 71-yard pick-six.
Coach Hanks, although happy with the result, questions the FHSAA decisions with the playoff pairings.
“It seems like they reward teams who played mediocre schedules and put the two inner-city schools against each other. No one knows exactly what we’re up against.”
Booker T. Washington (9-2) moves on to the next round and will play at private school Gulliver (Miami) next week while Carol City ends their season at 5-6.
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