South Dade High not only won its big rivalry game of the season Friday night, but in the process also clinched a spot in the state playoffs.

The Bucs did not run their first play from scrimmage until 4:21 remained in the first quarter, but from that point on they went on to dominate Homestead 24-7 before 4,000-plus fans at Harris Field.

``It feels good,'' first-year South Dade coach Greg Dentino said. A year ago, before Dentino took over, the Bucs went 3-7 and the state playoffs were something to be watched and not played.

Dentino is a football fundamentalist, saying despite the workmanlike victory against Homestead, ``We're just going to go back to chopping wood -- working on fundamentals. We made a lot of mistakes that we need to take care of.''

South Dade is 7-2 and 4-1 in District 16-6A and will enter the playoffs as the No. 2 team in the district behind first-place and unbeaten Southridge. Homestead is 6-3 and finishes 2-3 in district play.

South Dade led Homestead 7-0 before running a play from scrimmage. Homestead tried to punt after being stopped on its first possession and the snap went high over the punter's head. Peter Daniel picked up the bouncing ball and went three yards for a touchdown.

Homestead came back to tie the score at 7-7, going 80 yards in 12 plays and scoring on Demetrius Pettway's 2-yard run.

After that, South Dade controlled the game, taking a 14-7 halftime advantage as Torry Clayton kept powering ahead for a 5-yard TD, carrying four Homestead defenders into the end zone with him.

In the second half, J.J. Worton made a 39-yard field goal with room to spare as the ball sailed through the uprights and over the end zone stands.

Jeremy Hill then tacked on a 14-yard touchdown run for the final margin.

• Norland 42, Mater 6: The Vikings (5-4, 3-1) defeated the Lions (4-5, 2-2) at North Miami Stadium. Norland clinched a playoff berth with the win, while the Lions are eliminated.

Sophomore Randy Johnson led Norland with 176 yards rushing on 11 carries and four touchdowns.

Junior Brian Deveaux had 33 passing yards, 21 rushing yards and two scores. Viking's junior Brian Malcolm had eight runs for 72 yards.

Junior Jordan Condinanzo led Mater with 77 rushing yards, and he also had three receptions for 17 yards.

-- DARREN COLLETTE

• Miramar 14, Boyd Anderson 6: Ryan Williams fired second-half touchdown passes to Denzel McCullum and Malcolm Lewis, as the Patriots (8-1) stormed back after trailing at halftime.

Behind 6-0 at the break, the Patriots took command with a 50-yard touchdown march on the first possession of the second half to tie it on Williams' 9-yard strike to McCullum.

After a celebration penalty backed up the extra point, Julian Garcia kicked it through from 35 yards out to put Miramar in front for good 7-6.

Lewis later pulled in a 7-yard TD pass from Williams late in the third quarter. Williams wound up throwing for 129 yards, completing 11 of 24 passes with an interception. Jeremiah Hicks added 86 yards rushing on 22 carries.

It marked the third consecutive game that Miramar had overcome a sluggish start to take care of business in the second half.

The Patriots held BA to just 47 yards after halftime -- 16 coming on the Cobras' third-from-last offensive snap.

``No adjustments,'' Patriots coach Damon Cogdell said.

``We just told the guys to step up, buckle up their chinstraps and play like you know you can play. It's all mental.''

-- JEFF SHAIN

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