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Fort Lauderdale, FL — Miami Central is a national powerhouse and the Rockets are the most successful program in Miami-Dade County. Going into state championship weekend, the school located on 95th street were looking to win a third straight state championship.
It would be the second time in the school’s history that the Rockets would win three straight titles. The first, Central won four straight from 2012 to 2015. Anything less than a championship win on Friday afternoon would be an utter disappointment.
Central, in workmanlike fashion took care of business and dominated Merritt Island 49-14. Central (12-2) is the third school from Dade County to complete a three-peat (Miami Booker T. Washington and Miami Northwestern), but the Rockets are the first school to complete it twice.
It Was Over When…
Trent Henry intercepted a Brady Denaburg pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown with 1:05 left in the first half. It was the second pick-six of the half as two-way player, sophomore Joshiah Trader, a mid-season transfer, caught a deflection in the red zone and rocketed to the goal line for a 90-yard touchdown. It was his first game Trader played on the defensive side this season.
“That was my first defensive play the whole year,” said Trader. “I played defense in little league, but I never played defense in high school.”
Game Story
This game was only close just before Trader’s pick-six. On a 4th down and 22, from the Central 22-yard line, Logan Cody ran free and blocked the punt to set up the Mustangs with great field position.
The Mustangs’ first score came in the second quarter, Denaburg completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Donahue.
The Rockets high-octane offense overpowered Merritt Island (13-2) the rest of the way. Junior quarterback Keyone Jenkins rushed the football in from 13 yards to open up the scoring.
Miami Central @Roc__Nation gets in the end zone first as @LyghtzO gets in on a 12-yard run. Rockets lead 7-0 with 1:25 left in the first quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/BXgPbYz84F
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 17, 2021
Trader scored his first of three scores in the first quarter, an easy 50-yard touchdown catch from Jenkins.
Central @Roc__Nation make it look easy with this pitch and catch from @LyghtzO to @joshisathe1. Rockets up 14-0 in the first quarter. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/SeCSgptkCa
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 17, 2021
Junior quarterback Dylan Tulloch got in the action in the second quarter and connected with Miami Hurricanes commit Lamar Seymore for a 37-yard touchdown.
The Rockets took a 35-7 lead into halftime.
The onslaught would continue in the second half. Jenkins threw his second touchdown pass to Trader, another bomb for 41-yards. Then, junior running back Ean Pope broke free for a 72-yard run out-sprinting the Mustangs down the sideline to the end zone. The Rockets forced a running clock with a 42-7 lead with 8:50 to go in the third quarter. Pope had five rushes for 86 yards (17.2 per carry).
Big Time Players
Joshiah Trader, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, Miami Central – The sophomore had four receptions for 116 yards scored three touchdowns on the day.
Keyone Jenkins, Quarterback, Miami Central – The junior completed 6 of his 7 passes for 176 yards and accounted for three touchdowns. He also gained 18 yards rushing.
Logan Cody, Defensive Back, Merritt Island – The senior had 8 tackles including the blocked punt.
Raashan Rainey, Defensive Lineman, Miami Central – The senior had three tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.
Central has now won 8 state titles in the last 12 years. Wesley Bissainthe, a four-year starter and Miami Hurricanes signee, will graduate with three state championships.
“I feel like coming here was the best decision I ever made,” said Bissainthe. “I wouldn’t want to be no where else and I’m glad I just got to be a part of this.”
