PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Monarch at Miramar

WHO: Monarch Knights at Miramar Patriots
WHEN: Friday, 7:30p
WHERE: Branca Stadium at Miramar High, Miramar
TEAM RECORDS: Monarch, 8-2 | Miramar, 10-0
HEAD COACHES: Monarch – Calvin Davis | Miramar – Damon Cogdell
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Monarch – None | Miramar – 2012

The Storyline
Monarch is in the playoffs for the first time in school history (school opened in 2003) and couldn’t have drawn a tougher opponent to go up against in its first game. For the Nationally-ranked Patriots the playoffs a yearly exercise to see if they are contenders for the drive up the Turnpike to Orlando or not. While they seem to have fallen short in the even years (2010 & 2012), the odd years have been favorable for them to get to Orlando (2009 & 2011). The odd years have produced one state championship trophy, while producing two overall state final appearances. If anything the challenge that is going to be seen is to see if the Knights can slow down the Patriots or will this be a lopsided game that Monarch may not want to remember.
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The Turning Point
If you want to look for a turning point for Miramar getting here, go back to the second round of the 2012 Class 8A playoffs where district rival and eventual state-runner up Cypress Bay knocked out the Patriots for the second time that season. You could look at as the point that the team got stronger and became more unified then ever. The results since then have been nothing, but either crushing opponents or putting a loss into then-nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas record for the season.

Turning point for Monarch, might have started last season as the Knights were under their first season under Coach Davis. However, with the team being moved up in classification into Class 8A-District 11, there was concern that Monarch might have a hard to maintaining the success they were going to bring with them. However, those worries were washed away pretty quickly as the Knights got off to a fast start this season. But in the end Deerfield Beach and South Plantation came close to putting the end of hopes for the playoffs, but luckily a tiebreaker saved the day for the Knights to allow them a chance to taste the playoffs for the first time.
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Key Players
Miramar – Senior QB Nick Jeanty is the key player we say to watch from Miramar for this game. He has the ability to get the pass off quickly and to get it down field deep. If Jeanty has his way Monarch will have a hard time controlling him from helping to put points on the board. While the numbers are not totally stellar, the athleticism of Jeanty is the key thing to watch here.

Monarch – Clearly the key player here will again will be another quarterback. Michael Harris has been explosive this season for the Knights where he has already thrown for over 2,700 yards and 29 touchdowns. However, with Miramar’s tough defense, he might not be able to put up numbers like has done during the regular season.
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Average Scoring & Points Allowed
Monarch – PF: 340 total points / 34 ppg | PA: 169 total points / 16.9 ppg
Miramar – PF: 427 total points / 42.7 ppg | PA: 56 total points / 5.6 ppg
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Predictions
Florida HS Football – Miramar 50, Monarch 6
Massey Matchups/USA Today – Miramar 40, Monarch 8
Joe Pinkos – Miramar 35 over Monarch