Miami Central And Armwood Title Preview

     The Miami Central will try to capture their second straight FHSAA Class 6A title and their third in the last four years as they challenge the Armwood Hawks at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Saturday afternoon. Both teams met for the championship in 2011, however Armwood was stripped of the title and the Rockets were also disqualified due to FHSAA violations.
     Despite a loss to eventual Class 4A state champion Booker T. Washington during the second week of the season, Miami Central(13-1) has won 12 consecutive games and look to become the third Dade County school to win a state championship this year. The Rockets have outscored their opponents 372-109 in the last eight games. They have played all their four playoff games at home and been easily victorious. The Rockets pulled away from Boynton Beach 55-37 in the regional quarterfinal, blasted Dillard 59-14 in the regional semifinal, pounded Heritage 54-3 in the regional final and held off Mainland 28-15 in the state semifinal.
     The main emphasis for the Rockets offense is their rushing attack. They have two of the best running backs in the state with Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook. Both players are strong, powerful and elusive with the football. Quarterback Keith Reed calls the signals for Miami Central and he will look for wide receiver Da'vante Phillips on pass patterns.
     Undefeated Armwood(14-0) has scored at least 27 points in every game this year and outscored their opponents 401-42 during the regular season. The Hawks took the same path like Miami Central as they hosted all four playoff games. They took Venice 31-19 in the regional quarterfinal, edged Jefferson 52-48 in the regional semifinal, blanked Springstead 41-0 in the regional final and escaped Bartram Trail 35-28 in triple overtime during the state semifinal.
     The Hawks have a balanced attack with an I-formation using tailback Caylon Holloway and fullback Craig Carrington. Quarterback Noah Johnson looks to connect with wide receivers Talvin Bailey and Austin Gallon on deep routes.