Miami Southridge football overcomes turnovers to beat Hialeah, advance to 4-3M semifinal

Southridge trailed early, but used 21-point second quarter to power past Hialeah on Friday in an error-filled Region 4-3M quarterfinal.

“We had a little bit more ammunition for the fight, but that’s not how you draw it up,” Spartans coach Pierre Senatus said after the 48-23 victory at Milander Park.

The Spartans (7-4) and Thoroughbreds (9-2) combined for 10 turnovers and more than 200 yards in penalties.

Spartans quarterback James Perrone threw for 278 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

“We had a lot of mistakes,” Perrone said. “We got the win. That’s what matters. But we have to cut out the mistakes at practice and be ready for next week.”

Hialeah took an early lead on a 17-yard field goal from Oxley Christian. The Spartans answered less than 20 seconds later when Perrone threw an 18-yard touchdown toss to Jahkari Johnson.

The Thoroughbreds briefly jumped back in front when Travis Delaney Jr. connected with Jermain Beersingh for an 88-yard score, but the Spartans defense then settled in.

Jayquan Reid scored on a 1-yard run to spark the offense’s second-quarter surge.

Mehki Bethel ran in for a 10-yard score less than three minutes later.

Perrone then found Malik Penson with a 13-yard touchdown pass and the Spartans led 28-9 at halftime.

Delaney connected with Beersingh for a 13-yard touchdown midway through the third, cutting into the Spartans lead.

Perrone answered with his final touchdown strike of the night, finding Darius Clements for a 10-yard score.

Delaney scored the Thoroughbreds’ final points with a 4-yard run early in the fourth.

The Thoroughbreds scored again early in the fourth quarter, with Delaney running in from four yards. That score cut the deficit to 34-23, but Spartans running back Marlon Williams answered with a 24-yard rushing score less than four minutes later.

Williams and quarterback Taylor Trauth sealed the victory with respective touchdown runs of 24 and 45 yards in the fourth quarter.

Delaney completed 16 of 39 passes for 308 yards, two scores and three interceptions, in addition to his rushing score and 53 yards on the ground.

Reid, Curt Bryant and Kamara McCoo each logged interceptions for the Spartans. Beersingh totaled four catches for 126 yards and two scores for the Thoroughbreds.

Homestead will host Southridge on Friday in the Region 4-3M semifinal at Harris Field.