The Naples Golden Eagles head across I-75 to Dade County and challenge the Miami Northwestern Bulls at Traz Powell Stadium on Friday night in a Class 6A state semifinal. The school that wins will play in the state championship at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on December 8.
Naples(10-1) have won nine straight games since they fell to Palmetto in Week 2. The Golden Eagles topped Port Charlotte 14-7 in a regional quarterfinal, shut out Largo 24-0 in a regional semifinal and took Fort Myers 36-9 in a regional final. They have outscored their opponents 387-137 this season and averaged 35 points for per game.
The Golden Eagles put a heavy emphasis on their running game. Quarterback Jordan Persad-Tirone along with running backs Cesare Melluci, Elan Sommala and Chase Bertucci will rush the ball out of the backfield. Look for an rare pass by Persad-Tirone to wide receivers Wooby Theork and Taejon Wright.
Miami Northwestern(10-2) looks to get back to the top of the mountain for the first time since they won back-to-back Class 6A state championship in 2006 and 2007. The last time they played in a state semifinal was in 2008 when they beat Geno Smith and Miramar. After they blanked Matanzas 33-0 in a regional quarterfinal, the Bulls faced their two District 16 rivals in the next two rounds. They got by Miami Central 24-18 in a regional semifinal and beat the defending Class 6A champion Carol City 23-15 last week in a regional final. They have outscored their opponents 316-110 this year and allowed nine points per game.
The person that controls the Bulls offense is quarterback Chatarius Atwell Jr. He will attempt to connect passes to wide receivers Derrick Davis and Justin Hill. Running back Corey Hammett is expected to get the bulk of carries from the backfield for Miami Northwestern.
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