Central regroups to blow out Baker County in state semis, set up chance for three-peat
Miami Central trailed by a touchdown in the second quarter, but overwhelmed Glen St. Mary Baker County with 41 unanswered points to win a 5A state semifinal 54-21 on Friday at Traz Powell Stadium.
The victory gives Central (11-2) a chance to win their third consecutive state title and eighth championship overall.
“It means a lot to these kids, the staff and this community,” coach Roland Smith said. “We put in a lot of work. ... We’ve done it before, but we have the chance to do it again. I’m very excited about it.”
Baker County (11-3) took a six-hour bus trip from near Jacksonville and gave Central an early fight, but the Rockets, ranked No. 24 in the nation by MaxPreps, offense ignited before halftime and remained hot.
Quarterback Keyone Jenkins completed 19 of 24 for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Running back Ghana Oboh ran for 114 yards and two scores.
Wide receiver Joshisa Trader had 12 catches for 189 yards and a score for the Rockets, who outscored the Wildcats, 40-7, in the second half.
“We should have done that in the first half,” said star defensive lineman Ruben Bain, who totaled two sacks. “It was about want. Wanting to go back to state.”
Jenkins threw a 30-yard touchdown toss to Corey Washington for a 7-0 lead on the Rockets first possession. The Wildcats forced a fumble on Central’s next drive and later tied the game with a 58-yard touchdown pass from Noah Ray to Jaymodd Ruise with 3:50 to go in the first quarter.
Baker County then took the lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Jamarian Baker in the second quarter. Central tied the score when Ean Pope answered with a 5-yard touchdown run just before halftime.
The Rockets opened the second half with a long touchdown drive, which ended with a 16-yard touchdown run from Oboh. Jenkins connected with Trader and star wide receiver Lamar Seymore for passing scores on consecutive drives in the third quarter to break the game open.
Oboh added a 60-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth. Cataurus Hicks scored twice in the final eight minutes to add to Central’s lead.
The Rockets will face Merritt Island in the 5A state championship on Dec. 17 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
This story was originally published December 3, 2021 at 11:34 PM.
