Miami Palmetto blanks Miami Edison behind another stout defensive effort
There’s been one constant for Miami Palmetto’s football team through its first six games regardless of the outcome.
The Panthers’ defense continues to be downright stingy.
Palmetto gave another demonstration of why it’s been one of the toughest teams to score points on so far this season on Wednesday night by blanking Miami Edison 13-0 in a midweek battle of playoff contenders at Tropical Park.
The Panthers (5-1), ranked No. 9 in the latest Miami Herald South Florida rankings, recorded their third shutout of the season and are allowing only 6.5 points per game.
Even in their lone defeat against Columbus, Palmetto allowed the Explorers only 15 points, which is the most they’ve surrendered in a game this season.
“We played outstanding and I was really proud of our guys,” Palmetto coach Mike Manasco said. “The defense keeps doing a great job and our offense got just enough points to get us the win.”
Edison (4-2), ranked No. 18 by the Miami Herald, did not turn the ball over and had some success on the ground thanks to junior Sterling “Juice” Joseph, who ran for 117 yards on 17 carries.
But two costly dropped passes on fourth downs in the first half kept the Red Raiders from scoring.
Trailing 13-0 early in the fourth quarter, Edison drove near the goal line. But Joseph was stopped for a loss on fourth and goal from the Palmetto 1-yard line resulting in a loss on downs.
Palmetto mustered just enough offense in the first half thanks to a pair of field goals by Jad Rosario from 38 and 32 yards out and a touchdown just before halftime.
The Panthers found the end zone on a halfback pass when Nebraska commit Jacory Barney took a toss from quarterback Lucas Goenaga, rolled out and found receiver Fadrelle Andrus wide open for a touchdown.
“That was huge and a great call,” Manasco said. “Jacory Barney is a special player and he’s as good as anybody in the county.”
According to the updated FHSAA power rankings, Palmetto sits as the second-highest ranked team in Region 4-4M behind defending 4M state champion Columbus.
The Panthers will next face Homestead South Dade at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, and can clinch the District 16-4M title with a victory.
The Red Raiders, who entered the week with the fourth-best power ranking in Region 4-2M, will next face Miami Booker T. Washington on Monday, Oct. 16 in the completion of a game that was suspended in September with nine minutes left in the first quarter due to inclement weather. The outcome figures to be critical in determining the District 14-2M champion.
This story was originally published October 4, 2023 at 11:05 PM.
