Miami Southridge defense dominates rival South Dade in regular season finale
Southridge defenders were ravenous predators, using persistent pressure to force four South Dade turnovers in a lopsided, 33-7, season-finale victory Friday at Harris Field.
“They worked all spring and summer to build to this point,” Spartans coach Pierre Senatus said. “I’m just ecstatic that they get to see the results.
“It’s relentless practice, relentless pursuit and relentless energy.”
The Spartans (8-2), who lost to the Buccaneers (5-5) last season, controlled the rematch from start to finish. Quarterback James Perrone threw two touchdown tosses and ran for another two scores.
Kamron Wilson logged three sacks. Xyiem Pitter, Antwone Francios and Spencer Voss snatched interceptions. Joshua McDowell blocked a field goal.
“We just came out physical and to dominate,” Wilson said. “We came out with the mentality to be physical. It felt great to close the season out with a win.”
The Buccaneers fumbled a punt attempt on the opening drive, gifting the Spartans the ball on their 1-yard line to start the night. Seconds later, Perrone ran for a 1-yard score for a 7-0 lead.
He threw a 30-yard score to Darius Clements early in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead. Buccaneers quarterback X’zayvion Clayton threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Montr’Ey Jackson late in the second quarter, but the Spartans held a 14-7 lead at the break.
The Spartan defense smothered the Buccaneers for the remainder of the night.
Perrone increased the Spartans lead with a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. He threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to James Gatewood with 6:51 remaining. Shandon Smith ran for a 10-yard score two minutes later for the final points of the night.
Perrone completed 10 of 21 passes for 125 yards, in addition to his four total scores. Clayton completed 17 of 35 passes for 167 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions. He also ran for 95 yards in the loss.
“We are just not going to stop working,” Perrone said, when asked about the Spartans playoff push. “Every practice we have to keep going harder and harder. We have to keep going. The road to state. That’s the goal.”