Hollywood, FL — The boys of Overtown have been a contender for the state championship every preseason for more than a decade. The five-time state champions of Miami Booker T. Washington will be a strong contender once again even with the addition of rival Miami Carol City and 5A champion Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) joining the 4A class. Our first look at the Tornadoes saw Head Coach Tim “Ice” Harris’s team emerge victorious at McArthur (Hollywood) High School with a 24-14 win over the Mustangs.
“We showed some signs today that we can be really good,” said Coach Harris. “I’m really going to work on what we did well in the Spring this summer, but I still think we sputtered at times. We have to continue to keep working hard, be better conditioned and be a little more disciplined.”
The 2019 version of Booker T. has the playmakers that can compete with any team in the state. Former Miami Central running back Shemar Paul (2020) kept the Mustang defense honest while wide receivers Ternard “TJ” Summerall (2020) and Jacorey Brooks (2021) scored touchdowns by getting the ball in space from starting junior quarterback Torey Morrison.
Seniors Theodore Richarson and Edward “Macho” Arza (Did not play because of a sprained Achilles injury) will also add to potent passing attack in the fall.
.@MiamiBTW_FB continues to win one-on-one coverage as 2020 WR Theodore Richardson catches this one over the shoulder. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/bKH1OZEite
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 22, 2019
McArthur of the 7A class is no slouch defensively as they have several defenders with D-1 offers. Morrison threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions on the day.
“We practice hard against each other and we got tired of beating up on each other,” said Brooks. “I got faith in my teammates and my teammates got faith in me. We all are going to push each other so I feel we are going to be a great team in the fall.”
The inside slant is working for @MiamiBTW_FB. @Ternard_s takes this one the distance for the Tornadoes. BTW now up two scores on McArthur. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/lUxYT6N3fz
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 22, 2019
The Miami Hurricanes target Brooks is not looking to make a decision on college until his senior year. He currently holds offers from Georgia, Florida, Florida State among others.
Morrison’s third touchdown went to an unlikely recipient. Miami Hurricanes commit Anthony Hundley normally lines up on the defensive line but lined up at the tight end in the third quarter. The junior snuck out over the middle and caught the first touchdown pass of his career. The six points put the Tornadoes up by two scores.
“We have several guys that can be in that position,” said Coach Harris. “He just got the opportunity and got the call for it. We try to make sure that all of our kids have the opportunity to be special out here on the field.”
Hundley committed to Miami this week but says his recruitment is still open. Four-star defensive end Donell Harris also committed to Miami, is looking to recruit other local top talents to join the 2021 class. Harris made several tackles for loss Wednesday afternoon and loves what Head Coach Manny Diaz is building at Miami.
“I’m recruiting a lot of guys,” said Harris. “I just got my guy Anthony to join, I’m just trying to help bring the hype back to Miami.”
Harris is looking to talk to Miami Northwestern standout Terrence Lewis to join the 2021 Miami class.
Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker was in attendance as well as several other coaches from Auburn, FAU, Jacksonville State, Maryland, Nebraska, Ohio, UCF and USF among others.
Stand out players from McArthur from the game included senior Elijah Goree (2020) and sophomore Alfonzo Allen. Goree scored on a busted coverage and Allen had two ferocious hits that made the crowd in attendance react. Allen also directed his teammates on positioning on defense. Stand out receiver Damien Alford is a consistent mismatch for defenders but senior quarterback Horace Atkins failed to connect with the Canadian transfer a few times that could have resulted in scores.
The big 6’5” receiver from @Mcarthur_FB @DamienAlford5 makes the catch and throws down the defender here. 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽#SpringFootball @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/d7b047VuNQ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 22, 2019
Atkins scored on a quarterback keeper for McArthur’s first score of the game. Additionally, Junior Issiah Finnie was a constant threat on the edge for the Mustangs.
Other Standout Players
Kenneth McGill, OL, McArthur
Drew Irvin, Edge, Booker T. Washington
Rance Conner, DB, Booker T. Washington
Tramel Logan, DE, Booker T. Washington
Greg Moore, DE, McArthur
Demar Richard, DE, McArthur
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