Central unstoppable on way to second title in row
It wasn’t just about winning a second consecutive Class 6A championship for Miami Central. It wasn’t only about matching a Miami-Dade County record with seven state titles or finishing off this challenging year with some new hardware
for the trophy case.
No, Central’s 46-0 beatdown of Lake Minneola on Friday at Doak Campbell Stadium was about making a statement.
“Year in and year out when we come to the state finals,” coach Roland Smith said, “I want everybody to make sure
when they see all the games that they know that Miami Central is the best football team in the state of Florida, no matter what classification.”
The Rockets (8-1) certainly made their point. Central took a 32-point lead into halftime, triggered a running clock less than three minutes into the third quarter and went home with the fifth largest blowout win in Florida High School Athletic Association championship history.
The Rockets’ title is their sixth in nine years and seventh since 2010. Their seven titles places them in a tie with Miami Northwestern for most in Dade
said a dejected UM coach Jim Larrañaga. “We can’t make shots. Can’t make free throws, threes. You just can’t win games when you can’t make open threes and free throws. … Some of it may have to do with the lack of legitimate practice [due to injuries]. We’ve got no guys to practice against.”
“We just have to get back to the gym and shoot better,” said forward Anthony Walker.
Jacksonville is 6-2 for the first time since 2010-11.
The Dolphins are led by Dontarius James.