Miami Central vs. Miami Norland: Battle for the 305 Part. II

The Class 2M region final could feature the classification‘s state champion

MIAMI, FLORIDA- There’s no team that wants to face Miami Norland quite like Miami Central wants to heading into tonight’s Class 2M, Region 4 final. 

If you thought the tension and game vibes were something else when the Rockets faced off against Chaminade-Madonna back in Week 5, raise it a level or two tonight. 

The Rockets and Vikings just straight up don’t really like each other. 

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Miami Central vs. Norland football: How to buy tickets

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The defending Class 2M champion Miami Central came into the 2023 with what you would say some very high expectations. Those expectations didn’t just include winning a state championship. 

Nope. They included winning the mythical national championship and it all started when they played against Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas back in Week 2. 

The Rockets (8-3) ended up losing to the Gaels in a heartbreaking 39-35 loss. Hope was still there to maybe be in the national championship conversation, but a 31-28 loss to Chaminade-Madonna at Traz Powell Stadium dashed any remaining thoughts of that happening. 

There was always looking to at the ‘Drive for Five’ battle cry that Miami Central head coach Jube Joseph has been telling his team. Winning five straight state championships almost seemed like a given with the abundance of talent the Rockets have. 

Forget the fact they feature two quarterbacks in Antonio Smith and JC Evans, but all over the roster you see a who’s who when it comes to high school stars like defensive back Lawayne McCoy (FSU commit) to defensive tackle Armondo Blount (FSU commitment) to linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin, safety Amari Wallace and others. 

This Rockets’ team destiny was always to be in five in a row. 

That was up until Miami Norland defeated Miami Central 29-26 in overtime back on Oct. 13th, giving a little bit of a mental edge to the Vikings knowing that they have the ability to beat the once invincible Rockets. 

A lot has been said about the Rockets since that loss over a month ago to the Vikings. From possibilities to losing to Miami Booker T. Washington before even getting a rematch against Norland again to maybe this will jumpstart this proud program. 

Joseph always tells his players throughout the season about being the ‘neighborhood heroes’ of the Miami area. Hearing into tonight’s tilt versus Norland (12-0), they’ll need to play heroic in order to knock the Vikings off their undefeated pedestal they currently sit on. 

Will it be easy? Not at all, but for all the marbles seemingly here in this ‘Battle for the 305’, Miami Central will have to pull out all the stops in order to just get back to the state championship this time around. 

By around 10:30 p.m. tonight, we should know if the Miami Central dynasty lives on or if Norland makes it destiny and continues a run to Tallahassee for the Class 2M crown. 

Buckle up Miami, it’s on at The Mecca. 

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FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl