Norland, reshaped since ‘embarrassing’ loss, enjoying deepest playoff push since 2011
The last time Miami Norland won a state football championship in 2011, it had Duke Johnson rushing for 300-plus yards on an almost weekly basis in the postseason.
The Vikings are now as deep in the playoffs as they’ve been since that season thanks to their defense shutting down another running back who was coming off such a torrid performance a week ago.
Led by its defense, which stopped the Tornadoes on downs four times including a late goal-line stand, Norland avenged an earlier defeat against Booker T. Washington, 14-7 on Thursday in a Region 4-2M semifinal at Traz Powell Stadium.
The Vikings (9-2) held Booker T. running back Antwan Smith to only 76 yards on 24 carries just a week after he ran for 325 yards in a first-round win over Miami Carol City.
Norland advanced to the regional finals where they will face Miami Central next Friday at Traz.
“They really took it to us the first time and it shaped the team you see right now,” Norland coach Daryle Heidelburg said. “They ‘bully-balled’ us and ‘big brothered’ us and we weren’t ready for it…We were embarrassed by Booker T. the first time and that played to the psyche of these kids. It made us more focused and have more attention to detail.”
Senior linebacker Jermaine Beard led the defensive effort with three sacks including a crucial takedown of Tornadoes quarterback Claudell Sherman with 10:12 left in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing drive, Booker T. again failed to score in the red zone as Sherman was chased down on fourth down near the goal line by Rashard Carter.
Sherman, who suffered a shoulder injury last week against Carol City, did not start on Thursday. Without him, Booker T.’s offense became largely one-dimensional although not entirely ineffective.
But key miscues kept the Tornadoes (9-3) from scoring as Deron Latson intercepted backup quarterback Anton Smith leading to one of Norland’s scores.
Sherman finally entered the game in the third quarter and gave Booker T. some rhythm completing 4 of 6 passes for 45 yards. But the Tornadoes were stopped on downs three times in Norland territory.
“They stepped it up and put a good scheme together and they beat our guys up front,” Booker T. coach Tim ‘Ice’ Harris said. “They didn’t do anything different from an X’s and O’s standpoint, but their guys just played a lot better today.”
Booker T., which was coming off back-to-back seasons of .500 or worse records before Harris returned this season took solace in what was a comeback year for a program which has won six state titles.
“We came in with some boys and we developed them into young men,” Harris said. “The kids showed some signs and made some noise a little bit. Now we just have to keep getting better this offseason.”
The Vikings did not allow an offensive touchdown as Booker T.’s only score came on a botched punt with Norland punter Aidan Martinez kicking the ball from his own end zone. The punt ricocheted off Beard, who was lined up as an upback, and sailed up in the air allowing Booker T.’s Tony Morgan to catch it in the end zone.
“A lot of people doubted us so we had to put it on for the city,” Beard said. “It’s hard to beat a team twice. We made adjustments and just executed. The key was to get in (Smith)’s face before he started picking up momentum.”
Norland set the tone on offense with its running game, which it did not do the first time the two teams played on Oct. 6 when the Tornadoes jumped out to a 27-2 lead and hung on for a 41-23 win.
Quarterback Ennio Yapoor and Javin Simpkins combined to rush for 131 yards. Yapoor finished with 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Yapoor, who entered the game as one of Miami-Dade County’s most prolific passers, threw only five passes in the game. His best was a pinpoint 40-yard touchdown toss down the middle to Isaiah Scott with 3:16 left in the second quarter to put Norland ahead 14-0.
“I feel like I’m a different type of quarterback,” said Yapoor, a sophomore who has already made over 30 starts in his career since he began playing in the eighth grade at Champagnat. “I wanna show people that quarterbacks aren’t the soft guys who just be pretty. We can take a hit. We can run. We can do it all. I want to change the game.”
Booker T. had one final chance after a fumble recovery at its own 28. The Tornadoes converted a third down and fourth down to move to Norland’s 36. But again the Vikings defense stood its ground and came up with one final stop.
“This is one of the best wins this program has had. We haven’t beaten them in years, maybe since 2011,” Heidelburg said. “Hats off to these kids for fighting back and not being scared of the moment.”
A FIRST FOR YOUNG PROGRAM
Region 4-1M semifinal - True North 41, Westminster Christian 20: The Titans (8-3) won their first-ever playoff game at Tropical Park on Thursday.
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 11:57 PM.
