Homestead’s Joshua Townsend is the Dade 4M-3M Offensive Player of the Year
When asked last year how important quarterback Joshua Townsend was to the Homestead football program, ex-Broncos coach Philip Simpson simply said:
“Joshua Townsend IS Homestead football.”
His statement is hard to argue if you look at the body of work Townsend, a senior, put together during the greatest two-season run in his school’s history.
Townsend finished his career this season as one of Miami-Dade County’s most prolific passers. He completed 187 for 266 passes for 4,250 yards, 45 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for over 500 yards and six touchdowns.
A year after leading the Broncos to their first ever appearance in a state championship game, Townsend led Homestead back to that game and nearly pulled off a major comeback upset of five-time state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.
In recognition of those efforts, Townsend is the Miami Herald’s Class 4M-3M Offensive Player of the Year for Miami-Dade County for the second consecutive season.
“It’s been four years in the making and following our leader Joshua Townsend. He left it out on the field again tonight,” said Homestead coach Ron Thornton following the Broncos’ 31-28 loss to Aquinas in the Class 3M state title game in December. “I can’t ask any more from that kid and I’m happy because he has a really bright future.”
It’s unclear where Townsend, a 5-11, 205-pound pro-style quarterback, will continue to play football at the next level.
But if any team signs Townsend next month, they will acquire a player accustomed to stepping up in big moments and winning football games.
Townsend was the key cog in Homestead’s turnaround from a losing program just four years ago to a legit state title contender over the past two years.
Over the past three seasons, Homestead went 34-5 with Townsend as starter.
Townsend’s three touchdown passes helped Homestead battle back from a 17-0 first half deficit and nearly beat Aquinas - the team that eliminated the Broncos from the playoffs each of the past three seasons.
After a frustrating one-point loss to Miami Palmetto in its season opener in which the Broncos committed over 250 yards in penalties, Homestead put together a 13-game winning streak during which it beat Columbus, Orlando Jones and Miami Southridge twice.
“We never give up and stick to the course and the coaches and players worked hard,” Townsend said after the state title game loss. “We came up short but we did all we could do.”
This story was originally published January 25, 2024 at 7:20 AM.
