Miami commit rushes for two scores, defense dominates as South Broward upends Dr. Krop
When most people mention South Broward’s football team, their first thought is about senior running back Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.
But while the University of Miami commit is a vital member of the Bulldogs’ roster, it’s South Broward’s defense that’s been the main reason it is still undefeated at the midway point of this season.
The Bulldogs entered last week averaging six turnovers per game, and forced nine more during a 20-7 victory over Miami Dr. Krop in a game that was completed on Tuesday night at South Broward after it had been suspended due to lightning this past Friday.
The victory puts the Bulldogs (5-0, 1-0 District 13-3M), ranked No. 20 in the Miami Herald’s South Florida Top 20, in good shape to potentially win their first district championship since 1997 and only the second overall in school history should they defeat their final two district opponents - Hollywood McArthur and Hollywood Hills later this season.
Last season, the Bulldogs beat Krop (3-2, 0-1 in district) during the regular season, but were denied a district title when the Lightning won a three-team tiebreaker with them and McArthur.
“It’s hard when your team is up on a Friday and you stop and then have to come back and play another game,” South Broward coach Charles McCrea said. “Our defense played pretty good, but we definitely could have played better offensively. We struggled a little bit to find an identity, but we’ll take the W and move on.”
Wheatley-Humphrey, who ran for 51 yards and a touchdown on Friday when the game was suspended with South Broward ahead 7-0 with five seconds left in the first quarter, finished with 76 yards on 16 carries and ran for another score on Tuesday night.
“The whole team has a good connection. We play fast and we play physical,” Wheatley-Humphrey said. “The defense makes it easy for us on offense.”
After that, the Bulldogs’ defense dominated.
Senior linebacker Jonathan Ward recovered three fumbles and had one of the Bulldogs’ five sacks. Junior Simor Price had two interceptions and returned the second of them 7 yards for a touchdown to give South Broward a 20-0 lead in the second quarter.
Sophomore Terrance Johnson also had two interceptions.
“We have a good group and that front seven creates a lot of pressure to help create those turnovers,” McCrea said. “They give us everything they’ve got.”
South Broward hopes it has the depth and balance to make a deep playoff push this season in a tough Region 4-3M that includes reigning state runner-up Homestead.
The Bulldogs’ running game, led by Wheatley-Humphrey, senior Mitchell Beckford and freshman Jayden Johnson, who totaled a combined 144 yards on the ground, complements their tough defense.
“These are the kids that stuck with us and they’re coachable,” McCrea said. “I have awesome offensive and defensive coordinators and it’s showing up right now.”
This story was originally published September 26, 2023 at 9:49 PM.
