Hialeah rides stingy defense to win over North Miami and first district title since 2019
It didn’t feel real at first for Hialeah quarterback T.J. Delaney Jr.
But the smile widened and the cheers around him got louder once the Thoroughbreds could hold the trophy in their hands.
Hialeah players and coaches hoisted the hardware high on Wednesday night following a 24-7 victory over North Miami at Ted Hendricks Stadium at Milander Park, which secured them the District 15-3M championship.
The T-Breds (6-1, 3-0 in district) are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 when they last won a district title.
The next goal for Hialeah will be to prove it can contend and win a playoff game, something it hasn’t done since 1981.
“This is something we’ve been working toward since the spring. It feels unreal,” Delaney Jr. said. “We’ve talked about coming back and being district champs and making it to the playoffs. We’re going to make all the doubters believe us.”
The Thoroughbreds are a bit ahead of schedule in a rebuild plan that has flourished under coach Tony Smith thanks largely to a stingy defense that’s statistically among the best in Miami-Dade County.
Hialeah has allowed only 31 points in seven games this season, shutting out four opponents along the way. Following a 17-6 opening night loss to Miami Edison, the T-Breds had allowed only seven points over its previous five games entering Wednesday’s win.
“We had a three-year deal and we did it in two,” Smith said. “We got close last year (in this game) and lost 12-6. But the kids came together and played inspired football. They played for each other and this is a brotherhood.”
Hialeah’s defense was at it again against the Pioneers (2-6, 2-1 in district), forcing five turnovers and coming up with three stops on downs after North Miami had made it into T-Breds territory.
Freshman linebacker Andre Fletcher Jr. recovered a fumble and had one of Hialeah’s three interceptions. Laron Davis and Abdullah Gosha Jr. had the other two picks while Keon Black also came up with a fumble recovery and Jack Sawyer had a sack and several tackles.
Hialeah also came up with a safety to open the scoring when its defenders tackled running back Kendrick Cannon in the end zone.
“Demtrius Fowler Jr. is the best defensive coordinator in the nation. He’s been the one doing this,” Smith said. “His guys gave up 14 points in the last six games. I don’t care who you play against, that’s outstanding. If our offense plays better, we’re a contender against anybody.”
Delaney Jr. struggled with his accuracy early on, which kept Hialeah from capitalizing on a couple of early red zone opportunities. But Delaney Jr. recovered and threw two touchdown passes and passing for 178 yards and one interception on 14 of 34 attempts overall.
Gosha Jr. snagged the first score on a 25-yard touchdown catch with 2:30 left in the first quarter to put Hialeah ahead 9-0. Delaney Jr. followed with another just before halftime when he found tight end Damarcus Alexander open in the end zone for a 34-yard score.
“Delaney is my gunslinger. I call him Clint Eastwood,” Smith said. “He had a rough day today, but he rebounded. He’s our leader.”
North Miami’s Jadarius Gaines broke a 61-yard touchdown run for the Pioneers’ lone score in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 18-7.
But Hialeah ran out the clock after Ryan Mathis broke loose for a 20-yard touchdown run with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.
North Miami’s loss likely leaves it out of the playoff picture since it already entered the week as the 12th seed in Region 4-3M and needing to win the district to clinch back-to-back postseason appearances.
Hialeah entered the week seeded seventh in Region 4-3M with three regular season games left. The T-Breds, who face Miami High as part of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference matchups next week and then finish with games against Miami Carol City and Miami Dr. Krop, have a chance to strengthen their seeding over the next three weeks.
“We just had to make adjustments and bring the offense together and to just believe in each other. We did that and we got that W,” Delaney Jr. said. “It feels good when you work for everything and you reap the benefits. It feels amazing.”
MORE SCORES
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This story was originally published October 12, 2023 at 7:50 AM.
