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Mighty Miami Central holds off Daytona Beach Mainland 31-21, headed to 5th Straight State Final
 9 years ago
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Mighty Miami Central holds off Daytona Beach Mainland 31-21, headed to 5th Straight State Final

PUBLISHED
Sat, Dec 6, 2014 7:59 PM
DAYTONA BEACH -- Defending 6A State Champions Miami Central held off a tough Daytona Beach Mainland football team in Municipal Stadium on Friday to head back to their record 5th straight State Championship.

Daytona Beach Mainland's powerful offense, led by sophomore phenom QB Denzel Houston at the helm, jumped out to a 14-3 lead on Miami Central early in the 2nd quarter by connecting with Wilfred Taylor for a 25 yard TD reception. The Rockets responded, took the lead, and ended the half up 17-14, getting 2nd quarter scores from this year's dynamic duo of Cedric Miller and Anthony Jones.

There was a tense third quarter in Daytona Beach as both teams traded drives, but went scoreless. Mainland had not loss at home for 1484 days and down by 3 after 3 quarters, the Bucs' faithful were relying on their explosive offense to keep their home streak alive and punch a ticket to next weeks 6A State Final in Orlando.

But it would not be so for the Bucs.

The Central Rockets, who have captured the coveted 6A State Championship trophy the last 3 out of the 4 years, knows how to win the big games. And they relied on their rushing attack, unlike last year where WR Davante Phillips came up big to give Central a 28-15 win over Mainland in Traz Powell aka Mecca.

Buc fans' became tense after Central RB Anthony Jones broke free on 51 year strut to the end zone, putting up his Rockets 24-14. But Mainland responded and kept it close with a 32 yard jaunt by QB Denzel Houston.

Up 24-21 in the 4th Qtr, Miami Central faced a crucial decision, and decided to not kick the FG on 4th down but go for the touchdown, which would then put the Rockets up by two possessions in the game. Senior Anthony Jones rushed for the 3 yard TD run to put Central up 31-21.

Jones, the uncle of former Miami Central star and Florida State freshman phenom Dalvin Cook, led the Miami Central rushing attack with 15 carries for 122 yards and 3 TDs.

Miami Central team has been battle tested all year, playing games against some of the top teams in the country. The Rockets ended Hoover (AL) 31 game winning streak on national TV. The Rockets had a hard fought contest against Florida's #1, Miami Booker T. Washington, coming up short to the Tornadoes by one point. So when the time mattered most, the Rockets responded.

Mainland's magical season, once again has been halted at the hands of Miami Central. The Bucs, who came into Friday's State Semifinal with a 13-0 record and #1 ranking in Class 6A, hoped to finally get past the barrier of beating the Rockets to gain access to the State Final.

Their is much light in Mainland's future with Super Sophomores QB Denzel Houston and S Cyrus Fagan. Junior DL Kevin Mcrary poses strong for a Mainland defense, who only allowed pts per game and shutouts.

Miami Central will face Seffner Armwood on Saturday at 1:07PM in the Citrus Bowl. The State Final will be a rematch of last year's 6A State Final, in which the Rockets hammered the Hawks 52-7 off of a dominating performance led by Dalvin Cook's 223 yards and 4 TD.

TAGS FOR THIS ARTICLE
post-format-standard 2014 Season Denzel Houston

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