Edison, Western seeking redemption, championships
There’s an easy way to get over a heartbreak:
Put a ring on it.
That’s the plan for the girls at Edison (Class 1A) and Western (2A), who will be competing for state-championship jewelry in flag football this weekend in Jacksonville.
Edison (14-1), ranked second in its class, will play Choctawhatchee (14-2) in a state semifinal on Friday at 3:45 p.m. Tampa Robinson (20-1), ranked first in its class, will play Jensen Beach (18-3) in the other 1A semifinal.
Robinson has won five straight state titles, ending Edison’s season in 2021 (state semifinals), 2018 (state final) and 2017 (state final).
How’s that for heartbreak?
“We’re hoping the fourth time will be the charm,” said coach Vincent Hall, who started the Edison Red Raiders flag football program in 2016.
In 2A, the top-ranked Western Wildcats (17-0) will play Fleming Island (16-1) on Friday at 7:15 p.m. In the other semifinal, second-ranked Newsome (19-1) will play Spanish River (18-2).
Newsome denied Western a state title last year, winning the final by one point, 20-19.
How’s that for heartbreak?
“Our girls have a hunger to get back to the state final,” Western coach James O’Brien said. “We’re fast and disciplined. We have continuity with 10 seniors back from last season, and we know we can play top level.”
Newsome, though, has a huge win on its ledger this year, defeating mighty Robinson, 13-6, on April 2.
Western, which got to state by eliminating Miami High 26-13 on Monday, is led by senior Sydney Ford, a quarterback/linebacker who is so valuable she never leaves the field.
Ford, the reigning Broward
County Player of the Year, has passed and rushed for 44 touchdowns this season, including 40 through the air. She has also completed 72 percent of her passes.
Edison has its own star senior quarterback in Lonesha Howell. Coincidentally, both Ford and Howell wear No. 8.
Howell has passed and run for 64 touchdowns this season, including 48
through the air.
Hall said defense is the “cornerstone” of Edison football. Hall has had the same defensive coordinator — Mikey Sheehan — the past six years.
“We call him ‘the guru’,” Hall said. “He’s dominated Miami with the same defensive system the past six years.”
Conversely, this is just the second year for Edison under offensive coordinator Ken Simmons.
“You can see the difference in our offense this year,” Hall said.
Besides Howell, that offense is led by juniors Alexandra Harris (71 catches, 728 yards, 14 TDs) and Felicia Wright (49 catches, 365 yards, 13 TDs). Harris is the reigning Player of the Year in Miami.
Hall said there are 32 colleges now offering scholarships for flag football, including St. Thomas University in Miami. In addition, Hall said, all his juniors and seniors have college offers, a list that includes Shamesse Lee, Shanell Norris, Keisha Voilatre, Sarly Joseph and Joann Gilmore.
Edison also boasts a standout freshman, Camille Candidate, who has 20 catches and four TDs this year.
The Raiders’ offense has been held in single figures just once this year. That resulted in their only loss of the season, 12-6, to Seminole Ridge on April 19.
Meanwhile, Western’s defense has produced 11 shutouts in 17 games. The Western defense held up even when its offense stalled in a 6-0 regional semifinal win over Cooper City last week.
Besides Ford, Western has a core group of seniors that includes Veronica McBride, who has 57 catches for 875 yards and 17 TDs and has committed to St. Thomas.
Other Western seniors include Sydney Brennan, who has 66 catches and 10 TDs; linebacker Lian Scott, who has 55 flagpulls; and Naiya Rampat, a disciplined rusher on defense and an unselfish screener who gives Ford time to throw on offense.
Western’s sophomore class is stellar with Nandi Ramessar (66 catches,
820 yards, 11 TDs); Lauren Holschauer (12 TD catches); Keylee Allen (10 interceptions); and Tamara Elliott, a quarterback/ receiver who had been injured most of the season but returned to throw a TD pass on Monday.