Central crushes Northwestern in Class 2M rival game
There was plenty of the usual pregame smack talk exchanged on social media in the days leading up to Friday’s Miami Central-Miami Northwestern game.
But as one Central assistant coach uttered shortly after the final whistle, “You don’t win games on TikTok.”
The Rockets proved once again that they do their best work on the football field, dominating in all three phases of the game during a 42-7 rout of their neighborhood rival Bulls at Traz Powell Stadium.
Central (6-0), ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps, won its third consecutive meeting with Northwestern and has outscored the Bulls 91-13 in the past two matchups.
“This team showcased itself to be disciplined and didn’t let the outside elements affect them,” Central coach Jube Joseph. “Any time our kids can show the best versions of themselves, that’s something you can hang your hat on.”
Although the longtime rivals are not in the same district, they are in the same region in Class 2M and could therefore meet again in the postseason depending on the seedings.
Northwestern played without starting quarterback Taron Dickens, who hurt his collarbone in its previous game two weeks ago against Columbus, and one of their top running backs in Jamari Ford, who has been out since Sept. 10 when he hurt his shoulder against Chaminade.
Central’s defense stymied the Bulls’ offense, limiting them to only 37 yards rushing. Freshman quarterback Calvin Russell completed 8 of 18 passes for 93 yards and his lone touchdown pass — a 12yarder to Adam Moore after the Rockets had built a 28-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Rockets scored touchdowns rushing, passing, on defense and on special teams.
Nine ball carriers combined for 275 yards rushing, led by Corey Washington’s 119 yards on six carries.
The bulk of that total came on Washington’s 65-yard run in the first half, which set up another gutsy touchdown run by quarterback Keyone Jenkins from 20 yards out to put the Rockets ahead 22-0.
”I wish he’d slide,” Joseph said with a laugh. “I think he thinks he’s a running back. But it is what it is at the end of the day, as long as he keeps getting his yards.”
Washington, who made his mark early in the season as a kick and punt returner, has turned into a versatile weapon in Central’s offense. Late in the game, he hauled in a screen pass from Jenkins for a 2-yard touchdown catch.
“That’s him adding different tools to his tool belt,” Joseph said. “He’s polishing his game as a receiver and now he’s starting to run the ball for us, too. He’s a Swiss-Army knife.”
Jenkins continued to make plays both with his legs and arm.
While his final stat line wasn’t flashy — 7 for 14 for 98 yards and one interception to go with the one touchdown — Jenkins, an FIU commit, once again made timely plays that kept drives going.
Jenkins was named the offensive MVP of the game while linebacker Stanquan Clark, who had one of Central’s three sacks, was the defensive MVP.
“We stayed in our playbook and stayed in our system,” Jenkins said. “I’m really not an offensive guy. I like playing defense more. I think I’ll start sliding later in the season so I make sure I’m ready for the playoffs.”