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Miami, FL — It was senior day at Traz Powell Stadium for the Miami Central Rockets. The seven-time state champions bid farewell to 28 seniors Thursday afternoon just before its first-round playoff game against North Miami Beach (NMB) Chargers.
Central came into these playoffs as a number three seed which means it could be the last game the Rockets play at home at Traz this season. Central could also play on the road in the following week at Miami Killian should the Cougars advance.
“Just give me a field with a hundred yards, it doesn’t matter,” said Head Coach Roland Smith who is in his 10th year with the program. “We just want to play football. We want to put on a good show from this point on to the last game of the season. Our goal year in and year out is to win a national championship which we can’t win right now and win a state championship, so that’s still in our sight.”
Central (8-2) took care of business and dominated NMB (4-5) 49-6. Corey Washington scored three times and the junior may be considered the fourth-best receiver in a loaded offense.
Washington first scored from a pass from Keyone “Lyghts Out” Jenkins in the first quarter. Jenkins and Washington played together on the Football Hotbed 7-on-7 team last offseason and has maintained chemistry in the regular season.
Keyone Jenkins, Quarterback, Miami Central
Central @Roc__Nation jumps out to an early 7-0 lead over NMB in the first round of @FHSAA playoffs.
Corey Washington catches this one and takes it to the end zone. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/h2ddH9LSTC
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 11, 2021
The Rockets added three more touchdowns in the first half. Junior running back Jonathan Harris weaved his way to the goal line for a 17-yard touchdown run and Jenkins threw his second touchdown to freshman Santwan Brinson to open up a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.
Jonathan Harris coming at you with the 18-yard touchdown run.
Miami Central @Roc__Nation up quickly 14-0 over NMB. @FootballHotbed @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/g8CFczomeY
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 11, 2021
Keyone “Lyghts Out” Jenkins scrambles around and throws his second touchdown pass of the game for Miami Central @Roc__Nation.
Santwon Brinson scores it for the Rockets, score 21-0 over NMB early in the second quarter. @FootballHotbed @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/2LEBa8Pmjy
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 11, 2021
NMB made a breakthrough on the scoreboard in the quarter as quarterback Mahki Rolle found Indiana commit Phillip Dunnam on a fade route for a touchdown (PAT failed).
On the ensuing kickoff Washington would return it 82 yards for a touchdown. Central would take a 28-6 lead into halftime.
It Was Over When…
Central started the second half with a bang as Dyllan Tulloch found Joshiah Trader for a big touchdown pass down the sideline. The junior Trader outran defenders to the end zone as the Rockets ran away with the playoff victory.
Dylan Tulloch, Quarterback, Miami Central
“If you watched us play all year long you would see that both of them deserve to play,” said Coach Smith of playing two quarterbacks. We know what we’re doing. We just want to make sure that we keep both of them ready to go because on any given day we will need both of them.”
Washington would add his third touchdown of the game shortly after. Tulloch, on fourth down, lofted it deep down the middle of the field and made an adjustment to make the catch in the end zone. Junior running back Nathaniel Henry added the last touchdown on a short run.
Corey Washington scores again for @Roc__Nation. His third touchdown of the game.
Score now 42-6 Miami Central over NMB. @FootballHotbed @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/nAEs39wzU5
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 11, 2021
On defense, the Central defensive front was in the backfield almost immediately after every snap. Junior defensive lineman Rueben “Hurricane” Bain alone had 3.5 sacks on the night which makes it 20.5 on the year for the junior.
Central will face the winner of American Heritage Plantation Vs. Boynton Beach in the next round.
“I know this is a formidable task coming up this Friday night with whoever we play,” said Smith. “We’ll be ready to play.”
Highly Touted Linebacker Nearing College Decision
Senior four-star linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, the unofficial leader of the Central defense, will visit Tallahassee this weekend for the Miami versus Florida State game. Bissainthe had this to say about the outcome of the game and how it might affect his decision:
“I’m not going to base my decision on the outcome of the game,” said Bissainthe. “I’m basing my decision on my relationship with the coaches.”
Bissainthe visiting Tallahassee for the third time explained that the purpose of the visit is to access both teams.
“I just want to see a good game.”
