Boca Raton, FL.— Tonight was more than just a season opener, it was a statement.
The Carol City Chiefs from Miami traveled to the 561 to face off against the reigning FHSAA 6A State Champion West Boca Bulls. It was a gorgeous August evening across the Everglades as fans from across the tri-county area poured in to watch this clash of titans.
On one sideline, West Boca. The Bulls have stepped into the limelight and are widely regarded as one of Florida’s top football powerhouses. They’ve got two rings on their finger, but a third all but solidifies West Boca into dynasty status. That journey begins tonight.
On the other, Carol City. It’s been a rough few years for the Chiefs, but now they’re ready to return to superstardom, led by HC Toro Wallace and 5-star Miami commit wideout Nick Lennear.
The stakes are high, with each squad knowing what it takes to achieve their destiny. Tonight, it was time to set the tone.
All in all, both teams executed defensively to perfection. With two high powered offenses ready to clash, it would be a matter of which defense could bend and not break.
West Boca features a cornucopia of elite defensive pieces, including the consensus #1 rated player in Palm Beach County, 4-star Georgia Tech commit DT Jamar Thompson. Thompson absolutely ate from the interior of the line today, recording 2 sacks, 5 TFLs and a forced fumble. Jamar’s massive performance was supplemented by sacks from Makarion Owens and Jamir Johnson off the EDGE.
In the secondary, I noticed incredible performances from Texas A&M commit Loia Valade out of the nickel, who recored 2 PBUs and a fumble recovery, alongside Larry Morgan III, a USF commit who pitched a no fly zone on the boundary
As for the Chiefs, Carol City’s 3-star EDGE Aden Johnson and Florida Atlantic DT commit Danard Frazier helped the ZUU party in the backfield. In Carol City’s secondary UConn commit Za’Kari Johnson opened the game with a first drive INT, returned for a decent gain, alongside a handful of tackles and a PBU for the future Husky.
With both defenses producing offense-shattering plays, it was time to get creative in play call.
West Boca relied on their powerful rushing attack, spearheaded by senior QB Trey Moran who scampered all over the field, recording two touchdown rushes and a passing score. The Bulls have a herd of elite tailbacks, with Terrell “Wally” Harmon serving as the feature back. Senior RB Anderson Gracillien hauled in Moran’s touchdown toss before halftime. Junior kicker Tristan Lamb was automatic, sending 2 FGs right down the pipes.
While very rushing heavy, Moran did show some flashes with the arm, connecting with fellow senior Billy Clancy III for a nice chunk reception.
As for Carol City, I’d be lying if I said sophomore QB Malik Leonard didn’t struggle with the ravenous Bulls’ pass rush. With that being said, he did make valiant attempts at extending plays, and connected with Tulane wideout commit Josh Sylvain for a 33 yard score on the scramble drill. Za’Kari Johnson got active in the rushing game, helping record a second quarter rushing touchdown, while Arwin Jackson recorded plenty of chunk rushes from scrimmage.
With things tied up 17 a piece at the end of regulation you may be wondering why I haven’t highlighted the 5-Star Miami Committed WR Nick Lennear yet. Honestly, West Boca’s defensive gameplan did a great job neutralizing South Florida’s favorite pass catcher, holding him to a handful of short receptions with no yards after the catch.
However, when the primetime overtime lights begin to flash- you better be ready to make a play.
On Carol City’s VERY FIRST play of OT, Malik Leonard pulled his bread-and-butter play, tossing a fade ball to Lennear who leapt into the air, high pointed the ball and contorted his body through contact to tap BOTH feet in bounds in such a manner most NFL veteran pass catchers would be jealous. The Chiefs would boot the PAT through the uprights and prepared to lock down on defense.
West Boca would find pay dirt once again after Trey Moran’s second rushing score of the evening went right up the gut. Now the Bulls were faced with a choice: play it safe and go for the PAT or go for the 2 point kill shot.
The Boca Boys chose the latter, and unsuccessfully attempted another QB power down the A-gap, as the Carol City sideline erupted and stormed the field.
Following the game, I caught up with Lennear to talk me through the thrilling win and that final opportunity to make a play:
“I just told coach put the game in my hands and I will come down with it, he gave me that shot and I came down with it..” A fired up Nick Lennear said with a smile. “It feels good, a lot of people doubted us and said it would be a blow out, but we came out and showed them how Carol City plays football.”
West Boca Raton has yet another test to prepare for Week 1, as now all attention turns to their road matchup at American Heritage Plantation on August 21. As for Carol City, the Chiefs have an even longer road trip in store as they prepare to head to Daytona Beach to face Mainland on August 21.
