Plantation gets key early season district win
PLANTATION — District 12-8A has three major matchups between Planation, Miramar and Western throughout the season that are likely to determine the outcome of what is possibly Broward County’s most competitive district.
On Friday night, Planation took the early season lead by downing the district’s defending champ, Miramar, 22-14, at PAL Field.
Senior running back Kyle Walters ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and Hammersham White scored twice — once through the air and one on the ground.
“I told my kids all week it was like two dogs going for the same bone,” Plantation coach Steve Davis said. “I knew it was going to be a playoff-type atmosphere early in the season.”
Said Walters on his success running between the tackles: “They were trying to take away more of the outside because last game we were running a lot of sweeps, so they weren’t really worried about the base.”
The Patriots (0-3) had sophomore quarterback Cedquan Smith go 18 of 32 for 252 yards and a touchdown, but 143 yards in penalties plagued them. The Colonels (3-0) overcame multiple errors themselves, specifically errant, high snaps.
The Colonels broke a 14-14 tie with 9:52 remaining after Gerard Nesbitt threw a pass to the flat to White, who took it 29 yards into the end zone. They converted on a two-point conversion with Nesbitt throwing to Kayin Cooper out of the swinging gate with the rest of the offensive line far off to the left of the center.
Miramar got down inside the Plantation 10-yard line but lost a fumble with 12 seconds remaining. Otis Ragin, who also intercepted a pass earlier in the second half and blocked a field goal at the end of the first half, recovered it.
Cornerback Adrian Cole picked off a pass in the end zone on the Patriots’ previous scoring threat the possession before last. The Colonels had four takeaways on Friday.
“Our whole defense, every man counts,” said Cole, a Syracuse commit. “Every man did their part today.”
Miramar tied it at 14 early in the third quarter when Clifton Miller scampered 9 yards, hitting the right pylon for the score.
The first half saw scoring action at the beginning and end of it. The Colonels capped a long scoring drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, virtually untouched through the middle, from Walters with 1:06 left before halftime to put Plantation up 14-7.
Miramar nearly responded with the little bit of time remaining. Smith connected deep over the middle with Carlos Hill, who made a diving catch to complete the 36-yard reception against tight coverage from Cole.
The pitch and catch put Miramar at the 7-yard line, but the Patriots only went backward due to penalty. They attempted a 36-yard field goal on the final play of the first half, but Ragin came around and blocked the kick.
“I wanted to win badly, so I gave it [my] all,” Ragin said. “When it got down to it, I made the play and I’m happy we won.”
The two teams exchanged opening-drive touchdowns within the first two minutes on Friday. Plantation went first with White running in a score from 13 yards out. Smith hit Hill, who finished with five receptions for 102 yards, for a 25-yard touchdown that followed.
Rahlique Grange had a first-half interception for Plantation. Miramar had Jovan Robbins recover a fumble.
Friday’s action was the first of a trio of contests between Western and these two teams that should determine District 12-8A. Plantation is at Western on Oct. 12, and Miramar gets its crack at the Wildcats at home on Oct. 26.