When Miami Christopher Columbus and Apopka get together this evening (7:00) to close out the 2022 season in the 4M state title game, you will have a pair of teams who know one another very well.

The DRV PNK Stadium matchup will bring the two teams back together after head coach Dave Dunn’s Explorers stunned the Blue Darters 21-20 after trailing most of the way.

The Explorers come into the game on a roll and have relied on seniors such as versatile A.J. Arellano (WR/QB, 5-11, 165), nationally rated punter Christian De Villiers (6-3, 190), impressive safety Ahmere Foster (5-11, 165) and Stanford-bound Sedrick Irvin (RB, 6-0, 195) leading the way. The senior class also boasts Miles McGee (MLB, 6-2, 212).

Talk about loaded for the future, Columbus has Class of 2024 juniors like Jeffery Bandy (CB, 5-9, 175), gifted Jose Leon (WR, 5-10, 170), impressive Alberto Mendoza (QB, 6-2, 175) and talented prospects Daylen Russell (DE/DT, 6-3, 230), Dylan Stephenson (DE, 6-4, 215) and cornerback Jancent Wallace (5-10, 160) leading the way along with Benjamin Blackburn (TE, 6-5, 230).

EXPLORERS (13-1)

BENEDICTINE, GEORGIA, W 41-15

MIAMI KILLIAN, W 44-13

TAMPA JESUIT, W 32-15

Miami Palmetto, W 28-10

Miami Northwestern, W 23-19

at Miami High, W 54-14

at Homestead, W 21-6

at Doral Academy, 35-7

Miami Central, L 42-35

HIALEAH BARBARA GOLEMAN, W 42-0

MIAMI HIGH, W 64-0

MIAMI PALMETO, W 28-0

DORAL ACADEMY, W 31-3

OCOEE, W 41-36

For head coach Jeff Rolson and his football team, they ride into the state final game winners of nine contests in the past 10 games.

Led by seniors Kaven Call (DE, 6-3, 225), Antonio Ferguson (WR, 6-4, 235), Bryce Harrison (TE, 6-5, 220), Kaleb Hicks (QB, 6-2, 195), Malik Nicholson (OLB, 5-10, 175), Tai Ray (OT, 6-7, 310), Zeldrick Roberts (OLB, 5-9, 190), Zaire Warner (OL, 6-0, 260), Rashad Watson (LB) and Jordan Wright (CB).

Juniors Evan Ashford (OT, 6-4, 270), Cameran Barnes (DE/TE), Bryson Bowman (DE, 6-0, 185), Matthew Campbell (OLB, 5-11, 215), Malachi Davie (DB, 6-0, 160), Marcus Grant Jr. (CB, 6-2, 175), Nathan Jenkins III (S, 5-8, 165), Ethan Korkes (OL, 6-3, 305), Lorenzo Payne IV (DE, 6-2, 220), Kevin Roberts (DE, 6-1, 225), Antwone Robinson (RB, 6-0, 190), Alex Wideman (OLB) and Charvis Williams (OT, 6-5, 270).

Also, Bobby Miller (WR, 6-3, 170), Noah Morgan (RB, 5-6, 135) and Donovan Muldrow II (Athlete, 5-8, 185)

BLUE DARTERS (11-3)

OCOEE, W 13-12

Winter Garden West Orange, L 13-6

ORLANDO DR. PHILLIPS, W 7-6

Orlando Edgewater, L 28-19

ORLANDO OLYMPIA, W 38-23

Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley, W 20-13

Lake Mary, W 21-17

ORLANDO EVANS, W 23-12

SANFORD SEMINOLE, W 24-23

Apopka Wekiva, L 20-14

ORLANDO BOONE, W 17-3

WINTER PARK, 28-7

LAKE MARY, W 30-23

WELLINGTON PALM BEACH CENTRAL, W 27-24

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Miami Central Captures 2M Title, 38-31

FORT LAUDERDALE – They had passed every hurdle all season long, and while some national rankings had failed to give them respect, the Miami Central Rockets completed an unbeaten season on Friday night at DRV PNK Stadium.

Finishing 14-0, the Rockets blasted off for their ninth state title in school history, 38-31, over a feisty and talented Plantation American Heritage squad.

With California schools Mater Dei and John Bosco Prep ranked ahead of them, many who have watched all three schools play feel that first year head coach Jube Joseph and Central deserves a national title – and with Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna playing a tough road game at No. 5 Las Vegas Bishop Gorman on Saturday at 4 p.m., the win over the Patriots was certainly a step in that direction.

The Rockets jumped out in front on the first drive of the game when James London booted a 38-yard field with 8:42 left for a 3-0 advantage.

Central extended the lead to 10-0 when Auburn commit Keyone Jenkins found Anjuan Coleman from nine yards out with 4:57 left in the opening quarter.

When senior Wylie Shaw booted a 40-yard field goal with 2:48 left in the opening quarter, the lead was 10-3.

The Rockets continued their opening quarter dominance when Cataurus Hicks caught the second scoring pass from Jenkins from 41 yards out and a 17-3 advantage with 1:44 left.

American Heritage got back on the board when nationally rated running back Mark Fletcher took it in from the two at the 9:48 mark of the first half.

As the Rockets have done all season, they came right back when Jenkins found senior Corey Washington from 37 yards out and a 24-10 lead with 8:15 left in the second quarter.

The Rockets continued to pour it on when Jenkins ran it in from the eight with 2:33 left in the first half and a 31-10 advantage.

Right before the half, the Patriots got on the board when Shaw booted his second field goal of the game – from 27 yards out.

When sophomore Byron Louis took it in from the one and Blake Murphy’s two-point conversion to Brandon Inniss at the 1:51 mark of the third quarter made it 31-21.

The Rockets then extended the lead to 38-21 on a 73-yard scoring run by Jonathan Harris at the 1:51 mark of the third quarter.

The Patriots pulled within 10 (38-28) again with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter on a pass from Murphy to Inniss.

Shaw’s 25-yard field goal with 5:13 capped off the scoring.

STATISTICS TELL THE STORY

The game truly lived up to its billing.

On offense, American Heritage had 21 first down to Central’s 20. The Rockets ran for 333 and the Patriots finished with 179. American Heritage finished with 196 yards passing for a total of 357. Central had 154 yards and 487 total.

Individually, Jenkins was 11 of 21 for 154 yards and three scores for the Rockets. Hicks led the way with 3 receptions. Jonathan Harris ran for 136 yards, Nicholas McCall finished with 91 yards and Jenkins had 73.

For the Patriots Blake Murphy had 14 catches for 196 yards. Inniss caught four balls for 68 yards and freshman Malachi Toney had 40 yards. Fletcher led all runners with 111 yards and a TD. Murphy ran for 61 yards.

On the defensive side for the Rockets, Stanquan Clark and sophomore Ezekiel Marcelin had 13 tackles. Recent University of Miami commit Rueben Bain came up with a sack.

Bowen Drewes had six tackles for American Heritage and senior David Vadala – the school’s all-time leader in tackles had five.

ROCKETS (14-0)

Bradenton IMG Academy, W 20-14

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, W 36-19

Miami Carol City, W 34-0

FORT LAUDERDALE DILLARD, W 43-7

North Miami Beach, W 41-0

Miami Northwestern, W 42-7

MIAMI NORLAND, W 53-7

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-35

MIAMI GARDENS MONSIGNOR PACE, W 50-14

MIAMI ST. BRENDAN, W 60-0

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, W 34-30

MIAMI NORLAND, W 34-20

ST. PETERSBURG LAKEWOOD, W 39-21

Plantation American Heritage, W 38-31

PATRIOTS (13-1)

Valdosta Lowndes County, Ga., W 38-20

Los Alamitos, California, W 56-27

LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 42-14

BELLE GLADE GLADES CENTRAL, W 56-0

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 42-34

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 21-2

DAVIE WESTERN, W 42-18

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, W 24-0

Naples, W 35-17

HALLANDALE, W 63-0

RIVIERA BEACH INLET GROVE, W 43-7

BOYNTON BEACH, W 49-0

FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS, W 31-20

JACKSONVILLE BOLLES, W 14-7

Miami Central, L 38-31

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When it comes to high school football, the teams and fans in south Florida are just different.

It’s not bragging or saying that there are not great teams and players anywhere else, but to fully understand the culture of high school football in the #305 and #954, you need to know that these elite prospects compete with – and against one another 12 months a year. It’s sort of that “iron sharpens iron” mantra.

When the new classifications were announced the talk of who is playing who on a weekly basis really never came into play. What was the ONLY focus is what happens this week at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Fans who are as passionate as you get looked to this week, this game as the defining point of the 2022 season. MIAMI CENTRAL AND PLANTATION AMERICAN HERITAGE. Those who follow this sport religiously knew that this was the game that would be played and take center stage, and they were right.

The 2A title game has more than a state title at stake. A win by the 13-0 Rockets, and no matter what Max Preps or any other hit and miss ranking says and Miami Central is the national champions – not even up for discussion. However, a win by the 13-1 Patriots and the discussion will begin. It’s that simple!

In the battle of two first year head coaches in American Heritage’s Mike Smith and Central’s Jube Joseph, this game is the epicenter of the Florida state playoffs. No questions asked.

The Rockets rely on a strong senior class that is led by University of Miami defensive line commit Rueben Bain (6-3, 260), Auburn quarterback commit Keyone Jenkins (6-0, 185), Louisville linebacker commit Stanquan Clark (6-2, 215) and University of Pittsburgh-bound receiver Lamar Seymour (6-2, 185) have paved the way. It is also about prospects such as Dieutriche Exantus (LB, 6-2, 205), Mark-Allen Gay (FS, 6-1, 185), Cataurus Hicks (WR), James London (PK), Jazizaih Lugo (LB, 6-0, 200), Ean Pope (RB, 5-8, 175), Shawn Smoak (DB, 5-10, 175), Zayden Laing-Taylor (DB, 6-1, 185), Dylan Tulloch (QB, 5-11, 180), Corey Washington (WR, 5-8, 160) and running back Omarion Williams (5-9, 165).

It's also about juniors Earl Kulp (CB, 6-0, 180), Lawayne McCoy (WR, 6-1, 170), running back Nicholas McCall, Luke Moise (OL, 6-3, 290), Keion Reyes (OL, 6-2, 300) and William Rothmiller (OL, 6-1, 270), Teko Shoats Jr. (OL, 6-4, 285) and Lamar Smith (MLB, 6-2, 210).

There are also quality sophomores as well. Class of 2025 standouts Randy Adiricka (DT, 6-4, 250), Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. (LB, 6-0, 195), Deangelo Thompson (DE, 6-3, 215) and Amari Wallace (DB) have also stepped up.

ROCKETS (13-0)

Bradenton IMG Academy, W 20-14

MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, W 36-19

Miami Carol City, W 34-0

FORT LAUDERDALE DILLARD, W 43-7

North Miami Beach, W 41-0

Miami Northwestern, W 42-7

MIAMI NORLAND, W 53-7

Miami Christopher Columbus, W 42-35

MIAMI GARDENS MONSIGNOR PACE, W 50-14

MIAMI ST. BRENDAN, W 60-0

MIAMI NORTHWESTERN, W 34-30

MIAMI NORLAND, W 34-20

ST. PETERSBURG LAKEWOOD, W 39-21

The Patriots have also flexed some muscle in 2022 – with elite seniors such as seniors Ohio State-bound Brandon Inniss (6-1, 200), running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (6-1, 225), North Carolina State commit Daemon Fagan (DB, 6-2, 180), three-year varsity standout Jerry Dinkins III (RB, 5-10, 185). Much improved Blake Murphy (QB, 5-11, 175), Corey Goldsby Jr. (S, 5-10, 180), all-time leading tackler David Vadala (LB, 5-10, 205), Damari Brown (CB, 6-1, 190), first-year kicker Wylie Shaw (5-8, 160) and Joey Colosi (OC, 6-1, 280).

Juniors Bowen Drewes (LB, 6-1, 200), Timothy Burroughs-Love (DL/OL, 6-1, 280) and Jimmy Williams (OT, 6-4, 280) have been elite. So has sophomore running back Byron Louis (RB, 6-0, 190) and super freshman receiver Malachi Toney to name a few of the many contributors in 2022.

PATRIOTS (13-1)

Valdosta Lowndes County, Ga., W 38-20

Los Alamitos, California, W 56-27

LAKELAND LAKE GIBSON, W 42-14

BELLE GLADE GLADES CENTRAL, W 56-0

Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, L 42-34

Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, W 21-2

DAVIE WESTERN, W 42-18

Fort Lauderdale Stranahan, W 24-0

Naples, W 35-17

HALLANDALE, W 63-0

RIVIERA BEACH INLET GROVE, W 43-7

BOYNTON BEACH, W 49-0

FORT LAUDERDALE CARDINAL GIBBONS, W 31-20

JACKSONVILLE BOLLES, W 14-7

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Miami Central Goes For National Title On Friday. https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/central-goes-for-national-title/

FORT LAUDERDALE - They have been the talk of Florida high school football for decades. On Thursday night Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas took it one step further.

In the 3M state title game at DRV PNK Stadium, the Raiders won their fourth consecutive state title, came away with their 27 consecutive victory and 14^th overall state crown in a 38-21 win over Homestead.

In the four-year title run, the Raiders outscored the opposition, 869-197.

A CLOSE FIRST HALF

The two teams came out on their first series – each committing a turnover. Freshman Justice Fitzpatrick came up with an interception for the Raiders.

St. Thomas Aquinas got on the board first when junior running back Jordan Lyle took it from the 18 with 7:55 left in the first quarter and a 7-0 lead.

The Broncos hung tough after the first quarter, only trailing 7-0 to the three-time defending state champions.

Homestead tied the game at 7-7 with 8:10 left in the first half when junior quarterback Joshua Townsend found Temple University-bound Richard Dandridge from 7 yards out.

The Raiders moved all the way down field trying to get momentum back but turned the ball over when junior linebacker Eduardo Nunez recovered a fumble.

With a 7-7 halftime tie, the Raiders had 184 yards to the Broncos’ 139 yards.

SECOND HALF WAS INDEED EXCITING

The Raiders made it 14-7 with 10:31 left in the third quarter when senior King Mack returned a punt 58 yards for a score.

They extended the lead to 21-7 with 3:26 left in the third quarter when Harris took it 17 yards for the score.

The Broncos came back and cut the lead to 21-13 with 1:24 left on a 14-yard pass from Townsend to senior Javon Robinson.

The Raiders extended their lead with 10:10 left in regulation on a 24-yard field goal by Nicholas Romero and a 24-13.

When Penn State commit Conrad Hussey picked off Townsend with 9:46 left, the Broncos could not answer.

St. Thomas Aquinas moved ahead to 31-13 with 7:16 remaining on a 24-yard pass play from Harris to junior James Madison II.

Homestead came back and made it 31-21 on Townsend’s 5-yard scoring pass to Robinson with 4:36 left. Robinson’ two-point conversion was good.

The Raiders finished off the scoring with time running down on an 8-yard run by Sands. For the 38-21 decision.

FILLING UP THE STAT SHEET

St. Thomas Aquinas finished with 17 first downs to Homestead’s 13. The Raiders finished with 397 yards to the Broncos’ 270.

Individually, Townsend was 15 of 24 for 221 yards and three scores. Robinson caught 6 passes for 91 yards and two scores. Cortez Mills had 5 reception for 79 yards. Isaac Brown had 7 rushes for 37 yards.

On defense, the Broncos' senior Marcus Woodley had 12 tackles, Nunez finished with 7 and David Jester chipped in with 5.

For the Raiders, Hezekiah Harris was 10 of 18 for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Sands finished with 95 yards, Lyle ended with 93 yards and Harris with 61.

Robinson had 4 catches for 59 yards and Madison 3 for 49 and a score.

Defensively for the Raiders,Keyshawn Johnson had 7 tackles (4 sacks), Brown, Mack, Saez (1 sack) and Nick Rodriguez registered 5 apiece. Fitzpatrick and Hussey ended with one interception each.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS (14-0)

ST. JOSEPH’S PREP, W 48-37

Fort Myers, W 42-0

COCOA, W 42-14

Davie Western, W 38-0

Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast, W 21-7

Fort Lauderdale Dillard, W 24-6

FORT LAUDERDALE, W 49-13

COCONUT CREEK MONARCH, W 37-6

Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, W 44-0

COCONUT CREEK, W 59-14

DELRAY BEACH ATLANTIC, W 63-14

POMPANO BEACH BLANCHE ELY, W 35-7

TAMPA JESUIT, W 45-3

Homestead, W 38-21

THE BRONCOS (11-3)

Miami Killian, W 46-7

Miami Palmetto, W 19-7

HOMESTEAD SOUTH DADE, W 47-0

St. Petersburg Lakewood, W 24-12

SOUTHWEST MIAMI, W 44-0

SOUTH MIAMI, W 22-6

MIAMI CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, L 21-6

Miami Southridge, L 20-8

Miami Northwestern, W 44-28

MIAMI BELEN JESUIT, W 18-7

North Miami, W 40-0

MIAMI DR. KROP, W 35-12

MIRAMAR, W 33-13

ORLANDO JONES, W 30-24

St. Thomas Aquinas, L 38-21

For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..