Norland avoids letdown against Bolles, surges into first state final since 2011

Seven days after turning in one of the most gut-wrenching, emotional wins in recent program history, it only figured that Miami Norland might come out a little on the flat side when they took the field against Jacksonville Bolles in a Class 2M state semifinal on Friday night.

Sure enough, the Vikings did struggle, mainly on offense as quarterback Enio Yapoor was off target through the air.

But, thanks to a terrific defensive performance and a career rushing night from their go-to running back Juan Rodriguez, that proved to be more than enough as Norland, following last week’s dramatic overtime win over four-time reigning state champion Central, cruised to a 28-7 victory over Bolles at Traz Powell Stadium.

The win moves the Vikings to their fourth state championship game and first since 2011 when they last won a state title - their second in program history. Norland (14-0), ranked No. 11 in the nation by Max Preps, will take on Tampa Berkeley Prep in the Class 2M state title game on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium, on the campus of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Berkeley Prep stunned Plantation American Heritage 17-14 in the opposite semifinal.

Norland coach Darryle Heidelburg knew he had his work cut out for him during the week (following the huge win over Central) to try and keep his players grounded and ready to take on a Bolles team that boasts more state titles (11) than anyone in the state not named St. Thomas Aquinas and was much better than its 8-5 record.

“E.J. (Yapoor) didn’t have his best stuff tonight but our defense picked him up and came though big-time for us.,” said Heidleburg. “Flat? I think it might’ve been more a case of nerves to be honest. I rode them hard all week and kept reminding them that all the work they did to beat Central would mean absolutely nothing if we didn’t come out here and get it done tonight.”

Bolles’ only two trips to the Norland red zone came on its first possession and last possession. In between, the Vikings defense, led by the Desir brothers, Darryll and Mandrell, held the Bulldogs offense completely in check, chasing and harassing Bolles quarterback D.J. Moore all night. Norland sacked him seven times for minus-42 yards and forced Bolles to punt on 10 consecutive possessions. The Bulldogs never crossed midfield until the final four minutes when they scored off a short field (taking over at the Viking 17 after Norland defenive back Jaheim Miller fumbled the ball right back after picking off a pass) on a short Moore touchdown pass with 2:28 left.

But by then, the game had long been decided as the Vikings, who only took a 14-0 lead to the fourth quarter, had pulled away to a 28-0 lead.

Yapoor’s first pass of the night was picked off by Bolles linebacker Noah Cole and returned to the Vikings 35. The Bulldogs actually reached the Norland two and were poised to take an early lead when Mandrell Desir recorded a big sack putting the ball back to the 10, forcing a field goal attempt that was blocked.

“It was just up to us to come up big tonight and answer the call so that’s what we went out there and did,” said Mandrell who was part of a unit that held Bolles to 111 yards of total offense. “Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships. The biggest thing is we take every opponent seriously and coach (Heidleburg) was constantly reminding us all week that the Central game was history and that it was all about moving forward. Now we have the chance of a lifetime next week.”

Meanwhile, Yapoor, who finished his night 9-of-21 for just 113 yards, did have one good early moment when he found a streaking Ivory Aikens open down the near sideline hitting him in stride for a 37-yard score with 23 seconds left in the first quarter to put the Vikings up 7-0.

Following another one of those 10 Bolles punts, the Vikings put together a 68-yard drive with Rodriguez going over from 10 yards out with 7:25 left in the second. Twice more Yapoor had Aikens open deep for what would’ve been easy touchdowns but overthrew him both times.

“Wow, for real? That’s pretty cool,” said Rodriguez when he was informed that he had finished the night with 195 yards on 25 carries and the one score. “I’m just glad I was able to contribute as much as I did on a night where we needed it. My coaches told me ‘we need to run that rock’ so that’s what I went out there and did. But it doesn’t happen unless my O-line is out in front killing it so give it up to them. This is amazing. I can’t believe this. We’re going to state. Like a dream come true.”