South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Fire-breathing Dragons
Stranahan meets surprisingly little resistance in win
FORT LAUDERDALE — Entering Friday’s rivalry game, Fort Lauderdale was assured a spot in the playoffs by virtue of clinching its district. Stranahan still needed to earn its way in with its RPI.
The Mighty Dragons left AutoNation Community Field in Fort Lauderdale looking more like the playoff contender as they dominated their competition in a 36-0 victory.
“It’s good; it’s three years in a row,” Stranahan coach Travis Harden said. “As a[n] alumni, I want this game. I need this game.
“Fort Lauderdale who? It’s all about the Dragon right now. It will always be about the Dragons. And that’s what I try to tell to my kids, and they brought it.
“I’m just so excited. I can’t wait to get back into the locker room and celebrate with these guys.”
The Mighty Dragons’ running game led the way in their victory. Of Stranahan’s 298 offensive yards, 262 came on the ground.
Senior Omar Graham Jr., who primarily plays linebacker, rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries. Sincere Rodriguez ran for 91 yards and a score on 14 touches.
“We knew we were going to punch them in the mouth,” Rodriguez said. “We knew they had a very small D-line, based on film and stuff, so we knew we could just run it.”
Graham opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4 minutes, 28 seconds left in the first quarter. He added a second fscore rom 5 yards out as time expired in the quarter.
Rodriguez got his opportunity to score before the half ended, giving Stranahan a 22-0 lead with a 14-yard touchdown run late in the first half.
Zion Lopez extended the lead to four touchdowns with a 43-yard punt return in the third quarter, and Graham sealed the victory with an 83-yard touchdown run to start a running clock at the end of the quarter.
The Mighty Dragons’ defense dominated Fort Lauderdale as well. It forced three turnovers and held the Flying L’s to 80 total yards.
“I believe we’ve got one of the best he defenses in the country in high school,” Graham said. “I trust in my defense and I love them. We’re just getting ready for playoffs.”
Stranahan was a likely playoff team before Friday’s game, having the fourth-highest RPI in its region. The victory all but assures its place in the postseason.
“I’m glad we’re playing next week,” Rodriguez said. “I’m a junior, but I love all my seniors.
“We’re trying to get to a state championship this year.”