Sunshine State 25: Preseason No. 1 – Miami Central

Team: Miami Central Rockets
Sunshine State 25 Preseason Ranking: No. 1
Head Coach: Roland Smith
2014 Record: 14-1

Look Back On 2014

The Rockets were able to three-peat last year with another state championship win over the Armwood Hawks in the Class 6A state championship game. The only loss in the season came to Class 4A state champion, Booker T. Washington.

Players To Watch

LB Donovan Thompson, Sr.; DE Eric Mitchell, Sr.; DE Keir Thomas, Sr.; DB Jamel Cook, Sr.; WR Darnell Salomon, Sr.; RB Kenio Mike, Sr.; QB Jerrod Thomas, Sr.; QB Anthony “Mo” Hasan, Sr.; OL Tahj Brigthaupt, Sr.; OT Navaughn Donaldson, Jr.; LB Waynmon Steed, Jr.; WR Carmoni Green, Jr.; DB Carter Eve, Jr.; DB Allen Jones, Jr.; DB Christopher Williams, Jr.; OL Mershawn Miller, Jr.; WR Jenard Phillips, Jr.; WR Terrell Perriman, So.

The Outlook

Most teams don’t usually ever get a chance to four-peat as state champions. Miami Central will be one of the rare ones along with rival Booker T. Washington to have a chance to do that this season. They will be the first team Cocoa in 2011 to enter the season to have a chance of making history, something only two other teams have done in state history.

However, even losing 19 players who signed college scholarships, the expectations are known all around the Miami Central campus and to a certain extent, the neighborhood surrounding the campus. That expectation being to win another state championship and find a way to beat Booker T. Washington.

Offensively, the team has two quarterbacks it could start with in Jerrord Thomas or Anthony “Mo” Hasan. That should give the Rockets some depth in case an injury bug should occur. Either quarterback will find plenty of talent in the receiver position with Darnell Saloman, who transferred from Champagnat, Jenard Phillips and Terell Periman lining up to catch passes. Tahj Brigthaupt, who transferred in from Hallandale, and Navaughn Donaldson will help anchor the offensive line this season. Kenio Mike will be the primary running back for the Rockets.

Looking over at the defense, which should be the Rockets strong point, will have the likes of linebacker Donovan Thompson, defensive ends Eric Mitchell and Keir Thomas as well as defensive back Jamel Cook in the line up once again. Add in rising juniors in linebacker Waynmon Steed and defensive backs Allen Jones and Christopher Williams, it will be hard for a lot of teams to be able to take down the Rockets this season.

With the Rockets in national title contention to start the season, they will have to do everything right to stay in the hunt through out the season.

The District

Not many changes took place in reclassification regarding District 6A-16 as Homestead moved to Class 8A while Hialeah-Miami Lakes moved down from Class 7A to Class 6A to join the district. Other district foes like Miami Northwestern, Miami Carol City and Miami Norland are in the district and will be looking to give the Rockets all the challenges possible this season.

Three Games To Watch

Saturday 8/29 at DeMatha Catholic, MD – A good strong test to start the season against one of the nationally known powerhouse teams up in Maryland. If the Rockets secure a victory here, this will go a long way towards winning at national championship.

Saturday 9/26 vs. Booker T. Washington at Traz Powell Stadium – This game is a must win for the Rockets as they have fallen short to the Tornadoes by just a few points the last two seasons. Given that the Tornadoes are down a bit compared to the last two seasons. The Rockets should be able to win this year’s matchup.

Saturday 10/3 vs. Miami Carol City at Traz Powell Stadium – Carol City will be looking to do everything to stop the Rockets in this game. With this being a district game, whoever wins this game in particular is likely going to win the District 6A-16 championship, so this game will mean everything for the Rockets to win.

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Previous Sunshine State 25 Countdown Stories
No. 2: St. Thomas Aquinas
No. 3: Flanagan
No. 4: Mainland
No. 5: Jacksonville Trinity Christian
No. 6: Cocoa
No. 7: Booker T. Washington
No. 8: Plantation American Heritage
No. 9: Apopka
N0. 10: Kissimmee Osceola
No. 11: Columbus
No. 12: Oakleaf
No. 13: Dr. Phillips
No. 14: Manatee
No. 15: Armwood
No. 16: Lakeland
No. 17: Niceville
No. 18: Delray American Heritage
No. 19: Dwyer
No. 20: Wakulla
No. 21: Naples
No. 22: Lake Gibson
No. 23: North Marion
No. 24: Palm Bay Heritage
No. 25: Bishop Moore