North Broward Prep (2-0, 2-0) at Inlet Grove (0-2, 0-2)
When: Friday, September 9th, 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Where: Inlet Grove High School
One week after a crushing of Coral Springs Charter on the road, North Broward Prep could be in for another blowout victory this Friday night against Inlet Grove. The Hurricanes have been outscored 138-0 over their first two games of the season and has finished in last place in the Gold Coast Football Conference in each of the last two seasons. Inlet Grove has allowed the most points in the conference over the first two weeks (138), while North Broward’s opponents have mustered out just 18.
LAST TIME OUT: A tale of two different happenings. Although an ugly performance, North Broward Prep was able to go on the road in a district showdown and hand Coral Springs Charter a 33-0 loss in what was a dominant defensive effort by the Eagles. Meanwhile, in their first home game, Inlet Grove was absolutely annihilated by Calvary Christian, 82-0. It was the most lop-sided victory in Gold Coast Conference history.
North Broward Prep
WHAT TO KNOW: After a 56-point showing in their opener, North Broward was a little sluggish on the offensive end last week against Coral Springs Charter, but luckily their defense was able to pick up the slack. The Eagles shut down the Panthers offense all night, not allowing Charter’s pass-heavy offense to get anything going, and forcing a total of five turnovers on the night. The Eagles’ lone key injury entering Friday is linebacker Kirby Burns, who is expected to be out until at least September 16th with a hand injury.
OFFENSE: The Eagles’ offense has been very successful with one combo: Shooster to Austin. Junior Quarterback Logan Shooster has hit four-star junior receiver Kevin Austin 10 times for 272 yards and three touchdowns over just two games this season. Although slow – scoring just 12 first half points – last Friday against Coral Springs Charter, North Broward’s offense still finished up with a modest 33 after a strong second half showing. Shooster has thrown for 419 yards and four touchdowns in his first two career starts under center. Senior running back Dymitri McKenzie is also a major threat to defenses. McKenzie rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns in the opener, and even in a bit of a subpar rushing performance last Friday was able to rack up 45 rushing yards and had a receiving touchdown. Versatile senior Anthony Gomez has shown electric speed and agility, and 6’4” senior tight end Kenny Henningsen is also a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and a big target in the receiving game for Shooster.
DEFENSE: Contrary to expectations, the North Broward offense has been the strong suit so far this season. Defensive coordinator Rakeem Cedeño’s unit was a killer and relentless on Friday night at Coral Springs Charter, and has been in both games this season for that matter. The Panthers literally didn’t get any rushing yards last week on North Broward, as the Eagles let up negative 28. And in the passing game, Coral Springs Charter had just 93 yards, and North Broward tallied up four interceptions. Logan Shooster, Anthony Gomez, and junior Bradley Cooper all had picks. North Broward’s defense ranks tops in the Gold Coast Conference after allowing Pembroke Pines Charter to just 18 points in week one, with six of those off of special teams.
Inlet Grove
WHAT TO KNOW: There aren’t many things the Hurricanes have done right at all this season. Being outscored 138-0 in their first two games doesn’t bode well for their chances against anyone, let alone a North Broward team that is in the running to finish at the top of the conference this season. Inlet Grove has met North Broward in each of the last two seasons, with the Eagles winning 49-12 and 32-20, respectively. Inlet Grove has won just two total games over the last two years and has yet to win a conference game since joining the Gold Coast Conference two seasons ago.
OFFENSE: Not much to work with here. The Hurricanes have yet to score a point this season. The unit is led by 5’8” senior quarterback Bobby Steen, 5’2” sophomore running back Johnny Harp, and 5’7” freshman Maurice Law. The group is young, to say the least, and will have trouble putting up their first points of the season against a North Broward defense that has been dominant.
DEFENSE: Inlet Grove’s defense has been no better than its offense. The Hurricanes have omitted a record 138 points over its first two games of the year, 82 to Calvary Christian, and 56 to Coral Glades. The Hurricanes will have even more trouble with North Broward’s offense – which is more talented than Calvary and Coral Glades’ – and won’t have any of the size to even match up with Austin (6’3”) and Henningsen (6’4”) in the passing game. With a much bigger and better offensive line, North Broward should pound the ground game also with McKenzie, Dorian Cole, and Gomez.
GAME OUTLOOK: This one won’t be much of a contest. Expect the Eagles’ offense to dominate from the start, and its defense to continue their excellent play to start the season. It’ll be over quick in Riviera Beach, with North Broward – a far superior team in all aspects – taking care of business easily against Inlet Grove.
PREDICTION: North Broward Prep 68, Inlet Grove 0.
