Running attack, defense help Miami Edison edge North Miami and remain unbeaten
Miami Edison football coach Luther Campbell recently joked that instead of being known as the Red Raiders, his team should change its nickname to the “Lightning.”
For three weeks, Edison had not been able to play a four-quarter game due to inclement weather every time they took the field.
Their luck changed on Thursday when the Red Raiders exited their home locker room to see a clear sky above their home field.
Despite the bright afternoon, it still wasn’t easy for Edison.
But led by a stellar running attack and a playmaking defense, the Red Raiders were able to hang on for a 21-19 victory over neighborhood rival North Miami to move to 2-0 this season.
“I was hoping since the game was early we could finally get a four-quarter game in,” Edison coach Luther Campbell said. “We just have to get back to the drawing board and fix some things.”
The Red Raiders were forced to wait over two hours before playing an abbreviated preseason loss to Miramar. Their season-opening win over Hialeah was shortened to a half as well. And last week, Edison played only one drive before weather halted and suspended its game against Miami Booker T. Washington.
On Thursday, they needed all four quarters to hold off North Miami (0-3), which suffered its second consecutive loss by three points or fewer.
The Pioneers pulled to within two points on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jadarius Gaines with 2:20 remaining. North Miami went for two, but Edison cornerback Jett White broke up a pass from quarterback Michael Zephirin intended for receiver Kendrick Canon in the end zone.
Sterling Joseph, who ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries to lead Edison on offense, helped the Red Raiders run out the clock after North Miami was unable to execute an onside kick attempt.
“Offense was stalling, but we have a great defense,” Joseph said. “We’ve just tried to keep our minds right and stay focused through all this. We knew we could finally play a real game today so we had to come out and ball.”
The Pioneers erased a 14-0 first-half deficit and scored when Canon hauled in a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone from Zephirin. But North Miami went for two instead of the game-tying extra point and could not convert allowing Edison to retain the lead.
Sterling scored a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:30 left in the fourth to extend the Red Raiders lead to 21-13. This would put North Miami in the position it ended up in later needing to convert a two-point conversion to tie the game, which came up short.
“We just had to keep our heads in the game and just move on to the next play every time,” Barnes said.
The Red Raiders overcame four interceptions thrown by their quarterbacks and 160 penalty yards thanks largely to a defense that was led by Edison defensive end Dinellson Exume and Alonzo Barnes, who combined for seven sacks.
Barnes made a momentum-swinging play in the second quarter with North Miami on the cusp of tying the game at 7. Instead, Zephirin fumbled on a run, Barnes recovered and ran down the sideline for a 97-yard return for a touchdown.
“Zo and Sterling are both special kids,” Campbell said. “They lead by example and they handle their business. I love kids like them because those guys show that you can be responsible and perform at a high level on the field but just doing the right things in life.”
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This story was originally published September 7, 2023 at 10:49 PM.
