The undefeated Miramar Patriots go on the road for the first time in the 2013 FHSAA playoffs as they head to Palm Beach Gardens and take on the Gators on Friday night in a Class 8A regional final.
Rarely do you see two teams that have a large win difference this deep into the postseason. The Patriots defeated the Gators 35-7 back in the 2011 regional final.
Miramar(12-0) has not won a state title since 2009 and lost in the Class 8A state title game in 2011 to the Plant Panthers. The Patriots have outscored their last eight opponents 337-42. They got by Monarch 31-21 in the regional quarterfinal and pounded Deerfield Beach 43-6. Miramar has not allowed more than 21 points in a game this year.
The Patriots have received great publicity with their dark side defense. Running back Eric Pittman will get most the carries to generate offense along with Cameron Rigby. Look for quarterback Nick Jeanty to throw middle-range passes to wide receivers Kwasim West, Tyler Williams, Keygon Dunnings and Khalil Lewis.
Palm Beach Gardens(8-4) has not advanced beyond this round since 2005 when they captured the Class 6A title over the Deerfield Beach Bucks in Miami. The Gators traveled to Palm Beach Central last week and beat them 45-28 in a regional semifinal. They downed Park Vista 34-31 at home in a regional quarterfinal. Gardens lost to both these two schools during the regular season.
The Gators will advance the ball with running back Tommy Monday in the backfield and quarterback J.P. Caruso as an occasional option. Wide receivers Caleb Perez, Mario Brown and Andrew Prince look to get open for passes from Caruso.
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