Some might have thought North Miami Beach -- regional finalist last year -- wouldn't bounce back from a 48-point loss in Louisiana last week.

But Nico Flores made sure his team regrouped in a big way Friday night.

The senior quarterback, listed as a three-star recruit and ranked No. 47 at his position by Scout.com, threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns as the Chargers beat district-rival Norland 24-15 for the fourth consecutive year.

''We had a lot to prove -- I think everybody started doubting us,'' North Miami Beach coach Jeff Bertani said.

``The fact we came out here and played well against a good Norland team -- played hard, played physical -- showed that maybe we still have a little something left.''

On the Chargers' first drive of the game, Flores -- who Bertani said has narrowed down his college choices to Oregon, Central Florida, Western Michigan and Florida International -- hooked up with Kemal Ishmael deep down the right sideline for a 40-yard score. Then, three plays after Flores' 44-yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Cyprien was called back because of a penalty, the two connected again -- this time for a 42-yard score to give the Chargers (3-2, 2-0 District 12-6A) a 16-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Down 24-9 in the fourth quarter, Norland (3-3, 1-1) made it interesting when Brian Devaux took a direct snap and ran it in for a 70-yard score and the Vikings then recovered the ensuing onside kick. But North Miami Beach stopped Norland, and Markeith Russell -- who finished with 85 yards on 20 carries -- helped the Chargers eat up 4:45 on the ground to cap the victory.

• Hallandale 37, Jackson 17: Korvic Neat rushed for 133 yards and a score, Marc Victor threw a 63-yard touchdown pass and Hallandale beat Miami Jackson in a District 16-4A matchup.

''Coach wanted to go over the top for a big play,'' Victor said of the touchdown pass, ``and it worked.''

So did everything else for the Chargers.

Hallandale (4-2, 2-0) forced three turnovers, scored on four of its seven possessions and answered back when it needed to.

Neat scored his touchdown, a 20-yarder, in the second quarter, two minutes after Jackson tied the score at 7 when Robenson Therezie ran the ball in from 2 yards out.

Therezie led Jackson with 39 yards on 11 carries.

In the fourth, after Jackson backup quarterback Rashard Stewart connected with Badrevin Kelly on an 8-yarder to make it 30-14, Hallandale's Joel West returned an onside kick 53 yards to put the game out of reach.

Jackson abandoned its running game after halftime and couldn't gain momentum after the turnovers -- two interceptions by starter Antwan Williams and a fumble by receiver G'Alonzo Milton.

''Urgency and execution was the key this week and we had to show everyone we were a four-quarter team,'' said Victor, who finished with 84 yards passing.

-- SOLANGE REYNER

Gideon Ajagby had nine carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Jeremy Cash had 10 carries for 82 yards and three touchdowns. Christian Molinet had two catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns and added 55-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@