Finally. We get the matchup OF THE YEAR. The #1 and #3 teams in South Florida go at it in this annual rivalry holiday. This is the opener of 2020-2021 for both of these Dade County icons. 2019 was prosperous for both schools as they brought home medals for the State Championship. Two legendary coaches roam the sidelines in this game as well in Roland Smith of Miami Central & Max Edwards of Miami Northwestern. These two squads are the heavy favorites in their respective classifications for a repeat of last season.
Miami Central comes into this season as loaded as ever. At QB, they have one of the top 2023 prospects in the nation in Carol City transfer Keyone Jenkins. Already a two-year starter, he has grown into a legitimate D1 recruit as he approaches 6' 180. Now we jump to the star of the show, 4-star RB Amari Daniels (over 750 yards in just the playoffs last year). The talk of South Florida since his youth football days, Daniels will be relied upon against a stout MNW defense. Jenkins has firepower on the outside in 4-star All-American ATH Yulketih Brown (who is just as great at CB), Miami commit 2023 WR Lamar Seymore, 2021 MNW transfer WR Tim Brown Jr, Norland transfer 2021 WR Robert McMinn, and 3-star 2022 MNW transfer Zaylan Reese. Every year, Central puts together one of the best offensive lines in South Florida and this year is no different. 2021 Miami commit OG Laurence Seymore and 2021 OG Jeron Scharoun are the big names along the line but they round it out with D1 2022 prospect Elijah Miller (6'3 315), 2022 Omari Moore (5'11 288), and a group of 2024 future stars from the Miami Gardens Ravens little league program. On defense, it's another year of a loaded group. MNW transfer 2021 Tennessee commit 5-star LB Terrence Lewis is getting his revenge game early. The best LB in the nation for 2022 Wesley Bissainthe will give us another year of artistry whether he is covering, filling holes, or rushing the passer. 2021 D1 LB Rhoody Jean Louis (6'1 205) is the sleeper of the group but would be the best defensive player on most teams. 2023 EDGE Rueben Bain is as good of a pass rusher as anyone in the area regardless of class and should threaten for 4-star status sooner than later. In the backend, you have Yulkeith Brown, 2023 CB Antwon Shepard who already has a year of starting under his belt, Norland transfer 2021 S Eddrin Lollar who had 7 INTs in 2019, and 2021 North Miami transfer CB Elijah Vaughn who had 5 INTs of his own last year & arguably one of the top CB highlight tapes in South Florida.
Now we get to the Bulls. 2023 superstar QB Tyger Dickens leads one of the top passing attacks in the nation with receiving threats like 2021 Miami commits Romello Brinson (43 catches, 834 yards in 19) and Kahlil Brantley (28 catches, 628 yards), 2021 HB/TE Tim Bostic, Hialeah transfer 2022 WR/RB Jai-Ayviauynn Celestine, 2023 WR Andy Jean (6'1 165), 2022 speedster WR Jalen Rogers (5'8 165) and WR PJ Paulk who is also an impact basketball player. While that passing game is as well rounded and deep as they come, the running game is a 3-headed monster of Norland transfer 3-star FAU commit Zuberi Mobley (900 yards, 10 TDs in 19), returner 2021 Siddiq Jackson (782 yards, 9 TDs), and Hialeah transfer 2022 star D'Shawn Trowers who was one of the top backs in all of South Florida in 2019. MNW on top of all that skill-position talent has THE BEST South Florida OL in 2020. This OL averages 6'4 290 and they have 6 prospects in the trenches capable of playing at the D1 level. Much like Central, this defense is stacked as well. Miami High transfer 2021 Nebraska commit EDGE Pat Payton and 2021 West Virginia commit Ja'Corey Hammett bring 20 2019 sacks to the table. 2021 DT Kareem Roberts is a monster in the interior (90 TT, 5 sacks, 9 TFL). 2021 FIU commit Amahri McCray (115 TT, 5 sacks) is the heartbeat of this defense at MLB and should make up for lost production from the T2 transfer. Then we get to the defensive backfield. Look up No Fly Zone in the dictionary and a picture of this group comes up. The CBs, 2021 Miami commit 3-star Tim Burns (5 INT) and Carol City transfer 2021 App St commit 3-star Travis McNichols (11 INT last 2 seasons). The safeties, 2021 Miami commit 4-star Kamren Kinchens (11 INT) and 2021 UAB commit 3-star Antwan Massie. Ballhawks everywhere.
Central vs MNW at Traz Powell is a yearly movie and 2020 should be no different. The two teams are both Top 10 teams in the nation and Top 3 in all of South Florida. They should skate through the playoffs for another championship. I think this chess match between Coach Smith and Coach Edwards will be one of the most iconic yet as they both have the rosters to compete for a National Championship. This will be an exciting game with huge offensive and defensive plays that will swing momentum from the start to finish. I think QB play will be the difference in this game, as MNW's Tyger Dickens has a championship resume and supporting cast that is arguably second to none. Should be a show.
The Crib Prediction: 27-21, Miami Northwestern W
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