Another week is (mostly) done in High School Football. Let's take a look at some of the top teams, and some top players as well
St. Thomas Aquinas 43 - Cypress Bay 17
- Aquinas, fresh off a 38-28 win over Columbus, went out to Weston to take on Cypress Bay. After a tough first half saw the Raiders fall behind twice before tying the score at 14, Aquinas went on a 29-3 run in the second half to turn a close game into a decisive victory.
- Cypress Bay came out focused and executed their new I-Formation/Spread offense with flawless perfection. 2013 QB Jaranata Lewis and 2013 RB Matt Dayes (NCState Commit) played very well, and continuously gashed the St. Thomas Defense. Adding in was backup RB Josh Kaiser, whose 78 yard touchdown made the score 14-7, and gave Cypress Bay their last lead of the night.
- St. Thomas 2013 QB John O'Korn (Houston Commit) continued his strong season. He was accurate in the passing game (12/21, 138 yards, 2 TDs) and also effective in the running game, adding 86 yards and a score.
- The real key to the running game for Aquinas was 2013 RB Fred Coppet, who ended with 13 carries for 143 yards and a score. Slightly undersized for recruiting purposes, this is a very good playmaker who has a future playing at the next level.
- Aquinas has shown the ability to recover from slow starts and had comebacks in both games so far. They were down 28-17 to Columbus in the opener, and were down 14-7 to Cypress Bay this week. I like the perseverance they've shown to find a way to win those games, but I worry that one day they'll dig a hole too deep to crawl back out of.
- Next Games: Aquinas (2-0) will host Don Bosco Prep (NJ); Cypress Bay will host South Broward.
Hallandale 23 - Northeast 12
-Not usually one of the first names you think of when naming top Broward County Football teams, the Hallandale Chargers are opening eyes, and changing perceptions this season. After starting the season with a bye week, the Chargers might just have gotten their signature victory of the season.
-Hallandale is led by 2016 QB Tyler Huntley. Yes, he's a FRESHMAN starting. He went 13/22 passing for 145 yards and 2 TDs. If he can continue to play at this level, while still learning what HS football is all about, Huntley could develop into a top signal caller for his class. Keep him on the way way way back burner of your recruiting radar.
- Hallandale 2014 RB Trevon Rolle (5'8" 170lbs) ran hard for the Chargers, and had an 11 yard touchdown. A shifty and elusive player, he will undoubtedly be Huntley's best friend this season.
- Northeast's pair of running backs Timonte King and Jamal Wallace, both 2013, ran hard, picking up big yardage in the first half.
- The player you all want to know about, Northeast 2013 WR Stacy Coley, played a strong game. He ended the night with 7 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. After reports that his effort continued to be less than stellar, Coley quietly went out and played a huge game for his team. Let's see if this maturity was a random occurrence, or if it is the "new normal" for this talented player.
- Next Games: Hallandale goes on the road to face South Plantation; Northeast hosts Miramar. (I will be at that game, obviously, and have an in-depth recap next weekend).
Miramar 42 - Blanche Ely 20
- Miramar, looking to rebound after a loss at Bradenton Manatee on Sunday, used a power running attack to defeat Ely 42-20.
- 2013 RB Alex Lee was a beast for the Patriots in this game. The lightly recruited 5'11" 178lb speedster ran for a career-high 163 yards on 16 carries, and added a 45 yard touchdown reception. Lee runs hard, and gained over half of his yards after first contact. He only holds offers from South Alabama and FAU at this point, but with 299 yards rushing (and an additional 63 yards receiving) in his first 2 games, I anticipate Lee shooting up many recruiting boards.
- 2013 LB Jermaine Grace continued his strong play for the Patriots. He finished the night with 8 tackles, an interception (off a tipped pass), and a devastating crackback block on a punt return. Ely tried to stay away from him most of the night, but Grace still found himself involved in many plays.
- Ely 2013 CB Rashard Robinson (LSU Commit) made a couple big plays. After a Miramar touchdown, he returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. He also fumbled the ball on another kickoff return late in the 4th quarter as Miramar was pulling away. He provided solid coverage, and wasn't tested in the passing game. He uses his size (6'2" 195lbs) well, and figures to be a productive player at the next level.
- Next Games: Miramar travels to Northeast; Ely will play Taravella at Coral Springs HS.
South Plantation 27 - Stranahan 12
- Don't know too much about this game, so consider this your Alex Collins update. the 2013 Canes commit rushed for over 200 yards and scored twice, as the Paladins easily dispatched the Dragons. Collins continues to prove that he is a big-time college recruit by willing his team, that is not supremely talented, to victory. I won't have a chance to see him in person against Miramar (unless there is a playoff rematch from last year), but I will try to get to one of his games this season.
- Next Games: South Plantation goes on the road to Hallandale; Stranahan hosts Cardinal Gibbons.
Other Broward Scores
Boyd Anderson 41 - Hollywood Hills 0
University School 69 - Archbishop Carroll 0
Flanagan 42 - Stoneman Douglas 36
Everglades 21 - South Broward 7
Plantation 34 - Glades Central 13
Jacksonville Bolles 30 - American Heritage 27
St. Thomas Aquinas 43 - Cypress Bay 17
- Aquinas, fresh off a 38-28 win over Columbus, went out to Weston to take on Cypress Bay. After a tough first half saw the Raiders fall behind twice before tying the score at 14, Aquinas went on a 29-3 run in the second half to turn a close game into a decisive victory.
- Cypress Bay came out focused and executed their new I-Formation/Spread offense with flawless perfection. 2013 QB Jaranata Lewis and 2013 RB Matt Dayes (NCState Commit) played very well, and continuously gashed the St. Thomas Defense. Adding in was backup RB Josh Kaiser, whose 78 yard touchdown made the score 14-7, and gave Cypress Bay their last lead of the night.
- St. Thomas 2013 QB John O'Korn (Houston Commit) continued his strong season. He was accurate in the passing game (12/21, 138 yards, 2 TDs) and also effective in the running game, adding 86 yards and a score.
- The real key to the running game for Aquinas was 2013 RB Fred Coppet, who ended with 13 carries for 143 yards and a score. Slightly undersized for recruiting purposes, this is a very good playmaker who has a future playing at the next level.
- Aquinas has shown the ability to recover from slow starts and had comebacks in both games so far. They were down 28-17 to Columbus in the opener, and were down 14-7 to Cypress Bay this week. I like the perseverance they've shown to find a way to win those games, but I worry that one day they'll dig a hole too deep to crawl back out of.
- Next Games: Aquinas (2-0) will host Don Bosco Prep (NJ); Cypress Bay will host South Broward.
Hallandale 23 - Northeast 12
-Not usually one of the first names you think of when naming top Broward County Football teams, the Hallandale Chargers are opening eyes, and changing perceptions this season. After starting the season with a bye week, the Chargers might just have gotten their signature victory of the season.
-Hallandale is led by 2016 QB Tyler Huntley. Yes, he's a FRESHMAN starting. He went 13/22 passing for 145 yards and 2 TDs. If he can continue to play at this level, while still learning what HS football is all about, Huntley could develop into a top signal caller for his class. Keep him on the way way way back burner of your recruiting radar.
- Hallandale 2014 RB Trevon Rolle (5'8" 170lbs) ran hard for the Chargers, and had an 11 yard touchdown. A shifty and elusive player, he will undoubtedly be Huntley's best friend this season.
- Northeast's pair of running backs Timonte King and Jamal Wallace, both 2013, ran hard, picking up big yardage in the first half.
- The player you all want to know about, Northeast 2013 WR Stacy Coley, played a strong game. He ended the night with 7 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. After reports that his effort continued to be less than stellar, Coley quietly went out and played a huge game for his team. Let's see if this maturity was a random occurrence, or if it is the "new normal" for this talented player.
- Next Games: Hallandale goes on the road to face South Plantation; Northeast hosts Miramar. (I will be at that game, obviously, and have an in-depth recap next weekend).
Miramar 42 - Blanche Ely 20
- Miramar, looking to rebound after a loss at Bradenton Manatee on Sunday, used a power running attack to defeat Ely 42-20.
- 2013 RB Alex Lee was a beast for the Patriots in this game. The lightly recruited 5'11" 178lb speedster ran for a career-high 163 yards on 16 carries, and added a 45 yard touchdown reception. Lee runs hard, and gained over half of his yards after first contact. He only holds offers from South Alabama and FAU at this point, but with 299 yards rushing (and an additional 63 yards receiving) in his first 2 games, I anticipate Lee shooting up many recruiting boards.
- 2013 LB Jermaine Grace continued his strong play for the Patriots. He finished the night with 8 tackles, an interception (off a tipped pass), and a devastating crackback block on a punt return. Ely tried to stay away from him most of the night, but Grace still found himself involved in many plays.
- Ely 2013 CB Rashard Robinson (LSU Commit) made a couple big plays. After a Miramar touchdown, he returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. He also fumbled the ball on another kickoff return late in the 4th quarter as Miramar was pulling away. He provided solid coverage, and wasn't tested in the passing game. He uses his size (6'2" 195lbs) well, and figures to be a productive player at the next level.
- Next Games: Miramar travels to Northeast; Ely will play Taravella at Coral Springs HS.
South Plantation 27 - Stranahan 12
- Don't know too much about this game, so consider this your Alex Collins update. the 2013 Canes commit rushed for over 200 yards and scored twice, as the Paladins easily dispatched the Dragons. Collins continues to prove that he is a big-time college recruit by willing his team, that is not supremely talented, to victory. I won't have a chance to see him in person against Miramar (unless there is a playoff rematch from last year), but I will try to get to one of his games this season.
- Next Games: South Plantation goes on the road to Hallandale; Stranahan hosts Cardinal Gibbons.
Other Broward Scores
Boyd Anderson 41 - Hollywood Hills 0
University School 69 - Archbishop Carroll 0
Flanagan 42 - Stoneman Douglas 36
Everglades 21 - South Broward 7
Plantation 34 - Glades Central 13
Jacksonville Bolles 30 - American Heritage 27
