Mainland At Miami Central Preview

     The defending FHSAA Class 6A state champion Miami Central Rockets are one win away from a return trip to the Citirus Bowl in Orlando. They will have to get by the Mainland Buccaneers of Daytona Beach on Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium in a state semifinal. Both teams met two years ago on the same field as the Rockets were victorious 17-7.
     Miami Central(12-1), who are attempting to capture their third state title in the last four years, are currently on an 11-game winning streak following a defeat to Booker T. Washington during the second week of the regular season. All their victories this year have been by at least 17 points. They have outscored their opponents 344-94 in their last seven games.
     The Rockets have dominated during their three playoff games as the home team. They beat Boynton Beach 55-37 in the regional quarterfinal, dismantled Dillard 59-14 in the regional semifinal and buried Heritage 54-3 in the regional final.
     They will emphasis their ground game on offense with two of the top running backs in the state. Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook can advance the ball anywhere past the line of scrimmage. Look for wide receiver Da'vante Phillips to be the main target of quarterback Keith Reed along with Yearby and Cook on screen plays.  
     Mainland(12-1), who made their 20th consecutive playoff appearance this season, also has not been in peril during their playoff push. The Buccaneers blanked Lake Minneola 49-0 in the regional quarterfinal, got by Leesburg 21-6 in the regional semifinal and mauled South Fort Myers 42-7 in the regional final. They have held their opponents to 13 points or less in 12 out of 13 games this year, which included five shutouts.
     The Bucs had a difficult decision at the beginning of the year on who would start at quarterback between Anthony Williams and Deantre Bellamy. Running backs Trevaughn Rodriguez and Ricky Norris will try to generate yards from the backfield for the team. Mainland is more dangerous with their passing game as they have wide receivers Jamal Hughes, Kaylo Hannah and Wilfred Taylor.