By James Oyola
MaxPreps.com
MIAMI, Fla. – Led by quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey, Miami Central stunned the county by defeating Northwestern 27-25 Friday night at Traz Powell Stadium. Godfrey, a junior, completed 13-of-25 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns.
The victory helped Central clinch the District 13-6A championship and snapped Northwestern’s Miami-Dade County record 37-game win streak.
Junior running back Brandon Gainer, who entered the game as Miami-Dade County's leading rusher with 1,035 yards and 11 touchdowns, aided the win by rushing for 138 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
The Rockets (6-3), who lost their first three games of the season, have since won six-straight and emerged as a viable 6A contender.
The Bulls, led by running back Daquan Hargrett, took an early 12-7 lead. Hargrett, who finished the game with 161 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns, helped gain the lead scoring on runs of 18 and 35 yards.
Despite Hargrett’s performance, Northwestern (7-1) struggled to stop Central’s passing attack and watched as the Rockets took a 21-12 lead by halftime. Godfrey threw three touchdowns passes in the first half, all to receiver Joshua Reese.
Reese, a junior, finished with six catches for 93 yards and three touchdowns.
In the second half, the Bulls matched Central’s early intensity, scoring 13 unanswered points putting them ahead 25-21 with 4:18 left in regulation.
Hargrett scored his final touchdown of the game from 15 yards out, cutting the deficit to three. Then, quarterback Wayne Times connected with tight end Jamal McClendon on a 10-yard touchdown reception to take the lead.
Despite Northwestern’s efforts, defensive back Anthony Williams provided a spark for Central by returning the ensuing kick 40 yards to their 40-yard line.
Gainer, who was kept out of the end zone the entire game, produced when it mattered most.
On a fourth-and-goal situation, the standout junior capped a 12-play, 60-yard drive by leaping from three yards out and into the end zone sealing the win.
Week 9 Top Performers (Miami-Dade)
Rahkeem Cato, QB, Miami Springs – Cato, a sophomore, led Miami Springs to a 42-0 win over South Miami by completing 12-of-19 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns.
Devonte Mathis, QB, Carol City – Mathis, a freshman, led the Chiefs to a 33-12 win over North Miami passing for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Yandy Placencia, RB, Ferguson – Placencia, a senior, led Ferguson to a 32-14 over Coral Park by rushing for 224 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.
Jarvis Bridge, RB, Coral Gables – Bridge, a junior, rushed for 171 yards and four touchdowns helping Coral Gables to a 34-0 win over Miami Beach.
Lamar Miller, RB, Killian – Miller, a senior, led Killian to a 34-0 win over South Dade by rushing for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Miller leads the county with 1,175 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Jeremy Williams, RB, Palmetto – Williams, filling in for Ohio State verbal Jaamal Berry, led Palmetto to a 17-0 win over Coral Reef by rushing for 197 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.
Jeffrey Godfrey, QB, Central – Godfrey, a junior, completed 12-of-25 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns leading the Rockets to a 27-25 win over Northwestern. The victory snapped Northwestern’s Miami-Dade County record 37-game win streak
Daquan Hargrett, RB, Northwestern – Hargrett, a senior, rushed for 161 yards on 14 carries and three touchdowns but it wasn’t enough as the Bulls fell to Central 27-25.
Week 9 Top Performers (Broward)
Khambrel Jenkins, RB, Zion Lutheran – Jenkins, a senior, rushed for a school-record 388 yards on 33 carries and four touchdowns helping Zion Lutheran to a 50-20 win over Highlands Christian. Jenkins’ performance ranks as the second-best single-game performance in Broward County history.
Jamal Gayman, RB, Hollywood Christian – Gayman, a junior, led Hollywood Christian to a 50-0 win over Westwood Christian by rushing for 276 yards on 13 carries and four touchdowns.
Javon Anderson, RB, Upperroom Christian – Anderson, a senior, led Upperroom to a 54-0 win over Posnack by rushing for 137 yards on eight carries and three touchdowns. Anderson also caught a 22-yard touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 50 yards for a score.
Giovanni Bernard, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas – Bernard, a junior, helped the Raiders to a 38-0 win over McArthur by rushing for 129 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Bernard also had a 55-yard touchdown catch.
Ryan Becker, QB, St. Thomas Aquinas – Becker, a senior, aided the Raider win by completing 12-of-22 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for two scores.
Javan Shashaty, QB, Calvary Christian – Shashaty, a freshman, completed 12-of-26 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns leading Calvary Christian to a 43-14 win over Coral Springs Christian.
Eugene Smith, QB, Miramar – Despite playing only three quarters, Smith completed 11-of-16 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns leading Miramar to a 39-14 win over Ely.
Damian Fortner, RB, Everglades – Fortner, a senior, led Everglades to a 31-15 win over Piper by rushing for 157 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
Brandon Doughty, QB, North Broward Prep – Doughty, a senior, completed 12-of-21 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns helping North Broward Prep to a 41-6 win over Coral Springs Charter. Doughty also rushed for a score.
