Miami Southridge @ Miami Central
WEEK 9 | 2023 SEASON
October 19, 2023
by Josh Zedner
Miami, Fla. | “Rockets Blast Off on Spartans”
Florida Man Sports is back with Week 9 coverage of a GMAC showdown between the Miami Central Rockets and the Miami Southridge Spartans. The Rockets came in with a 3-3 record after a tough loss on a game-winning kick to the still-undefeated Norland Vikings last week. The Spartans came into this matchup at 6-2 after a blowout loss to Homestead.
Central started with the ball with an interesting twist, as 2025 ATH and Swiss-army knife Anjuan “Ace Money” Coleman started the game at quarterback. 2024 QB and Jacksonville State commit JC Evans was out with an ankle injury and 2024 QB Antonio Smith sat out the first half due to a team-imposed suspension. The Rockets got their running game going early as Coleman and 2025 RB Nicholas McCall ran for a couple of first down gains. Coleman showed an innate ability to control the line of scrimmage as he delivered a 1st down throw to 2024 WR Kimothy Massie. After another 1st down run by 2026 star RB Jayden Ford, Coleman delivered a beautiful ball that was hauled in the back of the endzone by Massie to get the Rockets launched to a 7-0 lead.
The Rocket defense was humming all night and a tone was set early by 2024 DB Berlin Campfort as he delivered an explosive hit on the first kickoff to the Spartans. A fumbled snap on a punt set Central up inside of Southridge’s 5-yard line. 2024 LB Keith Barry made a huge stop that forced the Rockets to kick a field goal. After another 3-and-out, Central established another drive led by more running, this time beginning with 2025 RB King Davis. Coleman then ran for a couple of more first downs to get the Rockets close, but 2025 LB Joshua “Hot Dog” McDowell, who was all over the place tonight, made a big tackle for loss, and then 2026 DL Kam Wilson sacked Coleman to force another field goal. 13-0 Central.
Campfort continued to make plays for the Rockets defense and then 2025 DB Sekou Smith sacked 2025 QB Taylor Trauth to force another Spartans 3-and-out. On another Spartan possession, another punting error led to another down and distance for Central. On this occasion, Coleman delivered a touchdown toss to a wide open receiver, this time being 2024 WR and Florida State commit Lawayne “Weezy” McCoy. Right before the half, Southridge made a change at QB to 2026 ATH Malik Penson, but things didn’t get much better. He threw a pass that was picked off by guess who, Berlin Campfort, who then had an excellent return to set the Rockets offense up inside the redzone. But to save the Spartans from embarrassment, McDowell sacked Coleman again, and then picked off a pass right in front of the endzone to keep the score at 20-0 heading into the half.
Right out of the second half gates, Central had Southridge right where they wanted them. So they got tricky. Coleman, now as the kickoff specialist, dribbled an onside kick that was fumbled and then recovered by none other than Coleman. He did everything tonight.
The Rockets boomed down the field through some more running, this time through 2026 RB Kaj Baker and then a walk-in touchdown by King Davis. A couple of more defensive players showed out with some forced turnovers as Sekou Smith came up with an acrobatic interception, as did 2026 DB Javari Flowers. 2024 LB Lamar Smith and 2025 CB Jalen Labranche made a couple of outstanding highlight tackles as well to complement the shutout performance. Baker and Antonio Smith, who ended up coming into the game in the 4th quarter at QB, added a couple of rushing touchdowns to finish the scoring at 41-0.
An absolute shutdown dominant performance by the Miami Central Rockets after a slew of tough losses to some quality opponents. They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides. Southridge seemed to be rattled before the game had even started. Despite having a slew of seniors on their team and particularly their offensive line, the Rockets will be bringing back a bunch of quality athletes next year. Coleman, Ford, both Davises, and Labranche will all be back for more fun next year. This team is built for the playoffs and you have to believe they will come hungry to bring home a State Championship.
As for the Miami Southridge Spartans, despite doing all they can on the defensive side of the ball, nothing was established offensively. Trauth was benched early in the game, no running attack was ever established, and the play-calling was questionable at best. The Ridge certainly has a nice core on defense with McDowell, Wilson, and 2026 DB Antwone Francios who added a pick late in the contest.
Another closing note on Coleman. This guy played 4 different positions tonight. Quarterback, Holder, Kickoff Specialist, and Personal Protector for the punting unit. That’s in addition to his natural position at Wide Receiver. What an athlete.
FINAL SCORE:
Miami Central beats Miami Southridge 41-0
About Josh Zedner:
Joshua Zedner is a beat writer covering high school football for Florida Man Sports. A native of Miami Beach, he attended Florida International University before finishing his undergraduate Business Administration degree at the University of Florida. Josh is an avid Miami sports fan, and he also writes a music review blog as a passion project under the @AlbumAnalysisWithZ handle on Instagram.
