Norland routs Jackson and secures playoff rematch with Booker T. Washington
At 6-2, 215 pounds, Miami Norland’s Ennio Yapoor isn’t built like a typical sophomore quarterback.
And with 23 starts already and having played in 34 games in two-plus years, Yapoor is far more experienced than your average signal caller his age.
It’s easy for his coach, Daryle Heidelburg, to forget Yapoor is still learning.
“He’s still so young and people don’t remember that,” Heidelburg said. “Some of our conversations I’ll be like, ‘Wait, you don’t know that?’ And then I’ll remember he’s only a 10th grader. He’s still learning and I’m on that journey there with him.”
Heidelburg, who has helped several quarterbacks flourish during his two-plus decades coaching in Miami-Dade County, is watching Yapoor develop into one of the best in South Florida.
On Friday afternoon, Yapoor threw three touchdown passes to lead the Vikings to a 37-6 victory over Miami Jackson in a Region 4-2M quarterfinal at Traz Powell Stadium.
Norland (8-2) is seeking its first state title since 2011 when Heidelburg watched former University of Miami star and NFL running back Duke Johnson lead his team to a championship.
The Vikings’ next obstacle on the road to state will be Miami Booker T. Washington next week in the regional semifinals. The Tornadoes dealt the Vikings a 41-23 loss on Oct. 6 a week before suffering a 53-7 loss to Miami Central - a potential opponent should they advance to the regional finals.
Heidelburg believes his team - like Yapoor - learned from those experiences and has improved in recent weeks.
“This is a team that’s starting to believe and understand that they have a shot,” Heidelburg said. “The first couple of games they were just excited about winning. Now they understand more what it takes to win and have an understanding of what we do. They’re growing.”
Balance on offense and depth have been key for the Vikings.
And Yapoor symbolizes those traits with his ability to make plays with his arm and his legs. Yapoor completed only 6 of 11 passes for 150 yards on Friday. But he also ran for 70 yards on 13 attempts.
Norland ran for over 150 yards as a team. Junior receiver Ivory Aikens caught two of those touchdown passes including a 67-yarder on which he caught a swing pass and sped down the sideline to the end zone.
Miami Jackson quarterback Byron Holt, a state champion in the 110-meter hurdles in track, showed off his speed with a 77-yard touchdown run for the Generals (7-4), which came after Norland led 37-0, prompting a running clock early in the fourth quarter.
Norland’s defense totaled five sacks and its secondary recorded three interceptions led by Elijah Sinclair, who returned two picks for touchdowns.
Sinclair, a 6-1, 175-pound senior defensive back, missed the first game against Booker T., which was one of four he was forced to sit out with a broken pinky finger.
“He’s excited to be back playing now. It’s almost like the beginning of the season for him and it’s showing,” Heidelburg said. “He’s making up for lost time.”
But if Norland is to have any chance at flipping the result of its first encounter with Booker T., it will be up to its run defense. The Tornadoes are led by Antwan Smith, who ran for 325 yards on Thursday night in a win over Miami Carol City and has nearly 1,500 yards rushing this season.
Booker T. could be forced to lean even more on its backs if starting quarterback Claudell Sherman is forced to sit out the game. Sherman suffered a shoulder injury on Thursday in the second quarter and did not return.
“They’ve got a truck back there (in Smith), and they have a good team with good skill guys,” Heidelburg said. “But we have to stop the run. Being a redemption game will keep our kids focused. We have to slow Smith down to have any chance.”
MORE RESULTS
▪ Region 4-4M quarterfinal - Miami Palmetto 37, West Broward 13: Willis McGahee IV led the Panthers with a superb effort on defense, recording five sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering one as Palmetto (6-5) triggered a running clock by halftime. Palmetto advances to face Columbus in the regional semifinals next week.
▪ Region 4-4M quarterfinal - Miami Columbus 64, Miami High 0: Sedrick Irvin ran for two touchdowns while Adrian Leonard and JJ Gomez each recovered fumbles for touchdowns on defense to lead the Explorers (10-1).
▪ Region 4-4M quarterfinals: Davie Western 38, Weston Cypress Bay 17; Doral Academy 50, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 25.
▪ Region 4-3M quarterfinals: Miami Dr. Krop 23, Miami Belen Jesuit 17; Miramar 48, Pembroke Pines Charter 0.
▪ Region 3-3M quarterfinals: Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 59, Coconut Creek 14; Fort Lauderdale Dillard 45, Fort Lauderdale 20
▪ Region 4-2M quarterfinal: Miami Central 60, Miami St. Brendan 0
▪ Region 3-2M quarterfinals: Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 45, Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 0; Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 49, Boca Raton St. Andrews 34.
▪ GMAC Independent championship: Coral Reef 42, Braddock 20
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 8:30 PM.
