By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
The first annual Florida Beach Bowl will pit Johnson C. Smith of the CIAA against Fort Valley State of the SAIC. The conference runners up have identical overall and conference records: 7-3 and 6-2 respectively. The initial Florida Beach Bowl will celebrate HBCU excellence and its continuation will depend greatly on the support of the surrounding communities in the Gold Coast area which we know as Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. The game will be played on December 13, 2023, at Drive-Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale and will start at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices range from $15-$75 and are available online: floridabeachowl.com.
I am pleased that so many Broward schools have enjoyed regional semifinal playoff success including Cardinal Gibbons which defeated Calvary Christian 34-9 in Region 3-2M. Plantation American Heritage defeated West Palm Beach Kings Academy 49-7 in Region 3-4M , and Coconut Creek Monarch subdued Lantana Santaluces 52-27 in Region 4-4M. Miami Columbus won over Homestead South Dade 34- 20 in Region 4-4M, while upstart Davie Western surprised Miami Palmetto 19- 9 in Region 3-3M. Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was unsuccessful in its attempt to slay the powerful St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders, losing in Region 3-3M 40-0. Coconut Creek won a tough victory, 24-17, over a determined West Boca Raton squad in Region 4-3M, and Miramar overwhelmed Miami Belen Jesuit 31- 7 in Region 4-3M. Homestead won a close, hard fought contest against Miami Southridge 35-33 in Region 4-2M, and Miami Central’s relatively easy 35-13 victory over rival Booker T. Washington set up the playoff game of the year with Norland which defeated Monsignor Pace 52-27 in Region 4-1M. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna thrashed Hollywood Avant Garde 67-0 in Region 4-1M while Archbishop Carroll defeated Miami Palmer Trinity 35-6 on Thursday in Region 4-2M.
The Ravens/Bengals game was not void of controversy. Do you recall Ravens tight end Mark Andrews’ season ending injury followed by a similar hit on Ravens QB Lamar Jackson by same Cincinnati player. Ironically, FSU star QB Jordon Travis suffered a season ending injury on a similar play in game against North Alabama. While runner is being tackled to ground, the tackler, inadvertently or not, directs the full force of shoulder or hip on the runner’s leg or ankle. Andrews is probably lost for season as well, while Lamar escaped with a minor ankle contusion or sprain. In any case, it is a form of tackling that has no place in football on any level. Check out the plays and tell me if you agree or not.
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