Homestead remains unbeaten after ugly victory, braces for showdown with Columbus
It’s been a process over the past two-plus seasons for Homestead’s football team to go from the cellar to one of the top teams in South Florida.
The architect of the Broncos’ turnaround - coach Phillip Simpson - doesn’t like to make excuses when adversity strikes.
So despite getting only one full practice in this week as several schools playing Friday night did due to Hurricane Ian prompting the closure of schools for two days this week, Homestead found a way to remain undefeated.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Broncos overcame a slow start and the loss of two key players to upend South Miami from the list of Miami-Dade County’s remaining unbeatens with a 22-6 victory at Harris Field.
“We had a bye week and then the storm happened this week so in the last 10 days I think we only had two real practices,” said Simpson, who in two years has guided Homestead from a 2-8 season in 2019 to back-to-back playoff appearances including a berth in the regional finals last year for the first time since 2002. “We struggled with mental errors and it was a humbling experience. We have to get better.”
Homestead (6-0) forced four turnovers on defense and needed a resilient effort from a shorthanded offense to pull off the victory to set up another battle of unbeatens next Friday against Columbus (6-0). The Explorers, who crushed Miami High on Friday, entered the week ranked 31st nationally by MaxPreps.
“That’s what we’re all about,” Simpson said. “We won’t shy away from those big moments and that’s why we’re here to play those types of games.”
Homestead quarterback Joshua Townsend left the game in the first quarter with what appeared to be a foot injury, although he walked off the field under his own power. Freshman backup quarterback Kymani Corbet threw a couple of interceptions, but also threw a pair of touchdown passes to help the Broncos score just enough to hold off the Cobras (3-1).
His first came on a quick screen for a 4-yard score to Temple commit Richard Dandridge.
Corbet fired a quick slant for a 5-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to Cortez Mills, who set up the score two plays earlier with a great diving catch on a deep route.
Louisville commit Isaac Brown ran for 77 yards on four carries including a 43-yard touchdown run. Brown, however, was forced to leave the game in the second half with what Simpson described as leg cramps. Ryan Bullard picked up the slack in the backfield in his absence, amassing over 50 yards on the ground.
South Miami’s lone score came late in the first half when Tony Taylor III looped a perfect pass to Raheem Coleman for a 23-yard touchdown.
▪ Central 41, North Miami Beach 0: Keyone Jenkins and Ean Pope each had touchdown runs to lead the Rockets (5-0, 2-0 District 13-2M), ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps, over the Chargers (2-3, 1-1).
▪ Columbus 55, Miami High 14: Darriel Harper returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and the Explorers (6-0, 1-0 District 15-4M) cruised to the victory at Curtis Park. Alberto Mendoza threw two touchdown passes and AJ Arellano caught one and ran for another score. Quincy Balkman caught a pair of touchdown passes for the Stingarees (2-2, 0-1).
▪ Palmetto 45, Coral Gables 0: The Panthers (2-4, 1-0 District 16-4M) needed a bounce-back victory and picked it up with ease on Friday afternoon at Tropical Park. Sophomore Cameron Sapp returned the opening kickoff 73 yards for a touchdown and Robert Fulmore returned an interception 21 yards for another score to set the tone early. Sophomore Lucas Goenaga threw three touchdown passes including one to Robby Washington, who caught a short screen pass and broke loose for a 70-yard score.
MORE SCORES
No. 6 American Heritage 21, No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons 2; No. 9 Booker T. Washington 36, No. 19 Jackson 15; Belen 65, Southwest 0; Carol City 13, Monsignor Pace 8; HML 30, Mourning 13; Sunset 32, Varela 18; Pine Crest 41, Northeast 6; Reagan 21, Coral Park 15; Tavernier Coral Shores 21, Ransom Everglades 7; True North 33, Archbishop Carroll 28; West Broward 25, Somerset Academy 21; Westland Hialeah 47, Hialeah Gardens 12; Westminster Christian 52, Palm Glades Prep 6.
SCHEDULE
Monday
La Salle vs. Edison (Traz), 3:30
Somerset Charter at Palmer Trinity, 4
McArthur at Hollywood Hills, 4
Olympic Heights vs. Monarch (Coconut Creek), 5
Douglas at Coral Springs, 6
American at Everglades, 6
Goleman at Doral, 6
Killian vs. Gulliver (Tropical), 7
Stranahan at Hallandale, 7
Miami Springs at St. Brendan, 7
Cooper City at Flanagan, 7
Calvary Christian at Coral Springs Charter (Glades), 7
West Boca Raton at Deerfield Beach, 7
Tuesday
Treasure Coast at Chaminade, 6
This story was originally published October 1, 2022 at 12:53 AM.
