Booker T. Washington head coach Earl Tillman in his first year of his second stint as Tornadoes head coach, brings home the gold to Overtown.

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CAN'T STOP THE TORNADOES

Once a tornado builds momentum and reaches #F5 status, it takes out anything and everything in it's way. MIAMI BOOKER T. WASHINGTON IS #F5!!!!

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Florida's defending Class 4A state champs, Miami Booker T. Washington, went into the half down to Raines, after a dominant half by the Vikings. The Vikings had forced three INT, and the only points scored by Booker T. had come off a record 100-yd INT return TD by Marquis Decius.

But the Tornadoes are battle-tested champions, and in the second half they proved they are still the reigning champ. And the Tornadoes did it with some history in the making.

Miami Booker T. Washington thrilled the crowd of 4,280 at the Citrus Bowl, mostly Jacksonville Raines fans, by outscoring the Vikings 36-13 in the 2nd half, en route to a 43-23 victory in Florida's Class 4A State Championship. Miami Booker T. Washington now has 5 State Championships in school history.

Freshman sensation QB Daniel Richardson, came out in the second half, firing on all cylinders. Richardson threw for 3 TD in the second half, including hitting Gustavious Dames in the seam wide open for a state record 92 yard TD pass, which broke the gave BTW the lead at 30-23. Richardson is only 14, and already has 1 state record. Tornadoes never looked back.

Miami Booker T. Washington's defense put the nails in the coffin, by scoring two defensive TDs late in the game.

D WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS: 18 of Booker T. Washington's 43 points were scored by the mighty BTW defense. 3 Defensive TDS in a State Final

THE BACK STORY, THE TORNADOES JOURNEY
Miami Booker T. Washington came into the 2015 season as Florida's defending Class 4A state champ, on a 41-game winning streak, with 3 straight championships.

They enjoyed extreme success under previous head coaches Tim "Ice" Harris Sr. (96-10), and son, Tim Harris Jr. (14-0). Bringing Miami Booker T. all 4 of their state titles.

But, now it was a different regime. The Tornadoes had a new coach Earl Tillman, Jr., and a new quarterback, who was only 13 years old starting for one of the nation's most heralded programs.

Well, Booker T. head coach Earl Tillman is actually on his second stint as the Tornadoes head man. From 2008-2010, Tillman compiled a 28-8 record (.777), but he was 3-3 in the playoffs and could not get past the State Semifinals.

And the opening game of the season was a battle of defending state champions. Booker T. suffered a 35-3 loss on national TV vs. 7A state powerhouse St.Thomas Aquinas. Some felt that this might not be Booker's year. I mean, the Raiders snapped the 41-game winning streak for the Tornadoes.

By midseason, some had counted the Tornadoes out. The naysayers pointed out that Booker T. was 3-4 after a 23-17 loss to crosstown Miami Northwestern. Plus Cocoa was strong this year. And by the way, "you know Raines has beaten Bolles twice this year. This could be their year to win it all".

After a tough loss to Christopher Columbus, the Tornadoes knew that it was time. And they knew what they needed: 5 Straight wins, end with 9-5 record, bring another state champion trophy back to Overtown. No looking back.

BATTLED TESTED
The Tornadoes, like the previous years, had one of the most challenging regular schedules. The Tornadoes don't shy away from competition.
- Loss to Defending State Champion St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1), who is in Orlando to defend their 7A state title vs. Viera.
- Loss to Defending State Champion Miami Central (11-2), who is in Orlando to defend their 6A state title vs. Armload
- Loss to Miami Christopher Columbus (12-2), who advanced to the State Semifinals, losing to Flanagan
- Win over Miami Southridge (7-5)


Records didn't matter to Booker T. Washington. BUT CHAMPIONSHIPS DO!!!
Booker T. Washington came into the playoffs with a 5-5 record, they faced teams who had great records when the Tornadoes faced them: University (7-3), Belle Glade Glades Central (9-2), Cocoa (10-2), Jacksonville Raines (12-1)

Miami Booker T. Washington came into the 2015 season as Florida's defending Class 4A state champ and left as a 5-time state champs, and the FIRST team in Dade County's rich history to win four straight State Championships.

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NEVER DOWN AND OUT
Never count out a champion. Raines led 10-7 going into halftime. But the Tornadoes had held the Vikings to NO points 3 times deep in their own red zone. In the 4th quarter, Miami BTW turned the tide, outscoring the Vikings 29-7.

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RECORDS IN 4A FINAL GAME
100 yard interception return by Marquis Decius
92 yard TD pass from Daniel Richardson to Gustavious Dames
*Daniel Richardson (Miami BTW) youngest QB, 14 years old, to win State Championship

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