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Miami, FL — One of Miami’s storied programs took the field Thursday night. Miami Central has set the standard as the most consistent high school football program in Dade County for the past decade and the Rockets are looking to make it three straight state championships in the 2021 season. “The Green Machine” dominates with defense, a power running game, and deep passes over opposing defenses.
This year expect more of the same from the seven-time state champions from 95th street.
Central defeated Miami Palmetto 28-14 in a spring exhibition at Traz Powell Stadium Thursday. The contest was never really in doubt as Keyone “Lyghts Out” Jenkins accounted for all four touchdowns, throwing for three and rushing for one. The Rockets junior quarterback is in full command of the offense in his second year with the program. Central ran an uptempo-style offense that kept the Palmetto defense on their heels the entire game.
The @Roc__Nation defeat Miami Palmetto 28-14 in #springgame. @LyghtzO accounts for four touchdowns including this pass to @Zaylan9Reese. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/cEF5WmOMcZ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 21, 2021
Central would intercept a Palmetto pass on the first play of the game and convert the turnover to points on the ensuing drive. Jenkins would take it in himself keeping the football on a zone-read play for a two-yard Rockets touchdown. The Central running attack will be led by senior Ghana Oboh and junior Ean Pope. Both backs gashed the Panther defense on occasion Thursday.
Senior wide receiver Zaylan Reese would add a second touchdown for the green and white as Jenkins would pump fake to his right, step up in the pocket and find Reese by the sideline. Reese would elude two defenders and take it the distance for a 55-yard touchdown to help give his team a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Zaylan Reese, Wide Receiver, Miami Central
The one gaffe the Central offense made in the first half was a mishandle on a quarterback running back exchange, which led to a fumble recovered by Palmetto. The Panthers would work their way to the two-yard line where senior quarterback Kevin Smith would punch it in for the touchdown.
Central would strike back pretty quickly however as Jenkins would throw his second touchdown of the game finding Miami Hurricanes commit Lamar Seymore for a 27-yard touchdown.
The @Roc__Nation quarterback @LyghtzO connects with Lamar Seymore for the touchdown. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/aiwYQ6QMJ5
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 21, 2021
(From Left to Right) Miami Central Wide Receivers Lamar Seymore and Zaylan Reese
“Lyghts Out” would score his last touchdown again to Reese on a clever inside bubble screen for a 17-yarder.
The Central defense for the most part was dominant throughout with senior Wesley Bissainthe and junior Reuben Bain dominating the point of attack.
Bain, listed (6-2, 250) can play both at defensive tackle and on the edge.
Bissainthe, (6-1,200) also has an inside and outside game and can play both middle and outside linebacker.
Wesley Bissainthe, Linebacker, Miami Central
Big hit stick from @CanesFootball target Wesley Bissainthe @behumblepapi. He is on another level. pic.twitter.com/TyJa6JIbPP
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 21, 2021
Both Bisainthe and Bain plan to attend the Miami Hurricanes barbecue/camp being held at UM’s campus on June 1st. Bain, who twisted his ankle in the game, also plans on attending Paradise camp while Bissainthe plans to visit Penn State and West Virginia in June.
“Lately, it picked up,” said Bain. “I’ve been talking to Alabama, Texas, Florida, and some conversations with Clemson.”
Bain has been in contact with Texas and Miami as of late.
“Miami has been reaching out to me about campus and stuff,” said Bain.
A must mention is Palmetto defensive back Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, commonly known as G7, thumped the opposition whenever he got a chance. At 5’9” 160, G7 hits with authority and was in on or around the ball on nearly every play.
Jai-Ayviayunn Celestine, WR/DB, Miami Palmetto
The senior plays both ways and often was streaking open from the wide receiver position, but the relentless Central pass rush disallowed the pass connection to be made with consistency.
“I love hitting,” said Celestine. “You might as well call me ‘big hitter,’ because that’s what I love doing.”
Wow! Second #hitstick of the game comes from @Jcelestine5 of @PantherPride305. pic.twitter.com/8tcdFK196A
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 21, 2021
Celestine still remains without any major offers but clearly was the best player for Palmetto Thursday night against one of the state’s best in Miami Central. Palmetto lost in the 8A state semifinals in the 2020 playoffs and will look to maintain success after losing premier players like Leonard Taylor, Brashard Smith, Jason Marshall, and Corey Collier to graduation.
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