North Miami Beach @
Booker T. Washington
2M PLAYOFFS ROUND 1 | 2023 SEASON
November 9, 2023
by Josh Zedner
Miami, Fla. | “Tornadoes Breeze Past Chargers”
Florida Man Sports is back! This week we bring you coverage of the playoff season down in South Florida. This week is the quarterfinals. Our first matchup is a showcase between the North Miami Beach Chargers and the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes. NMB came in at 4-6 off of a thrilling victory against Hialeah American, in which 2024 WR/DB Frank Montijo was responsible for all 4 touchdowns and got his squad into the playoffs with the victory. Booker T. came in rolling with 4 straight victories, after a heartbreaking defeat to the Norland Vikings over a month ago. This being done without star 2024 QB Claudell “Fetty” Sherman in uniform due to injury.
After a couple of early punts, the Tornadoes finally got a drive going, mostly through the rushing attack. 2026 RB Irwin James, 2026 QB Anthony McQueen, 2025 WR Andre Brown Jr., and 2024 RB Gerald Modest all gained chunks, with Modest’s being the longest setting up Booker T. on the goal line. After connecting with 2026 WR Anton Smith for a first down earlier
on the drive, McQueen found him again in the endzone for an easy score to get the Tornadoes out to a 7-0 lead.
After a few more punts, the Chargers charged down the field for a drive of their own in the 2nd quarter. This was due to a couple of incredible plays made by star player Montijo. He was arguably the best player on the field tonight. He converted 3 straight first downs and drew a pass interference twofold to help NMB get a drive going. But it was stalled by tackles for losses from 2026 DE Jamel Bonica and 2024 DL Tremaine Carson, and then a pass breakup from 2025 DB Antonio Branch Jr. forced a field goal attempt. Branch rose up, swatted the field goal, and 2025 DB Ben Hanks Jr. took it 90 yards untouched with no rebuttal to the house. Brutal turn of events for the Chargers.
The end of the first half was highlighted by a couple of huge defensive plays that forced stops. First, honey-badger like 2024 LB Eldreen Terma sacked 2026 QB/DB Chris Polanco to stall Charger drives. And after a miracle catch made by Brown Jr. for the Tornadoes, Montijo the Monster stripped a Booker T. receiver, which was recovered by 2024 RB/LB Karl Joseph, denying the Tornadoes a 3-touchdown lead at half. The kid plays both ends, and would be an incredible edition to any Division-I (FBS/FCS) special teams unit.
After more defense to start the second half led by Booker T.’s 2024 LB Tristan Ramsey, 2024 DL and Florida State commit Jamorie Flagg, and another strip and fumble recovery forced by NMB’s Montijo, Booker T. began to storm down the field. McQueen put together a fantastic drive, using the elusiveness of his receivers Smith and 2024 WR Elijah Henton. McQueen found Henton in the back of the endzone for an impressive toe-tap tuddy that extended the lead to 21-0.
The floodgates had opened for the Chargers. Right away after a Ramsey deflection and a Terma interception, McQueen found Brown Jr. again. Modest then raced into the endzone to make the lead insurmountable at 28-0. A couple of young guys had some highlights late in the game for the Tornadoes. 2027 DB Trezavant Boyd delivered an impressive interception sky-high in the air over a Charger receiver, and added a pass breakup later. James burst through a hole in the D-line and flew to the endzone untouched for another Tornadoes touchdown. To get the Chargers on the board, to no surprise, Polanco found Montijo for one last touchdown to close out his great high school career. 34-8 was the final in favor of Booker T.
Booker T. continues to breeze through opponents without their star player. And it’s on the back of this incredible defense. So many studs on that 11. From Terma to Ramsey to Smith Jr. to Hanks to Carson. Everyone seemed to have a contribution tonight. They are ready to make a deep playoff run. But things will be much more challenging as a date with what is likely to be Miami Central looms. Sherman’s status will be worth watching for that one (although he did mention to us on the sideline that he may return next week).
The NMB Chargers were just outmatched in this game. Too much firepower on one side compared to just the one or two stars that the Chargers have. Shout out to Montijo and 2024 LB Daymeon Casimir for their contributions this year. They played their hearts out. Onto the next season and to the development of Polanco as their QB.
FINAL SCORE:
Booker T. Washington beats North Miami Beach 34-8
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.
