Posted on Mon, Jan. 03, 2005
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Among All-Stars, locals shine
BY MANNY NAVARRO
[email protected]
Carol City defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois and Killian cornerback Demetrice Morley were foes when their teams met more than a month ago in a state semifinal playoff game.
Sunday night, they were teammates and as big a reason as any Florida left the Orange Bowl with a thrilling 24-22 victory against California in the sixth annual CaliFlorida Bowl.
Morley, a USA Today All-American, wowed a national TV audience when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half 86 yards for a touchdown.
''Anytime I get the ball in my hands, I feel like I can do something special with it,'' said Morley, who spun off two tackles and outran a California player across the field to the end zone on the return. ``The end zone was calling my name. I had to make it there.''
In the end, Jean-Francois came up with perhaps the biggest play of all when he stopped California running back Lydell Sargeant 4 yards from the end zone on a two-point conversion run with no time remaining to preserve the victory.
Florida's defense intercepted four passes, including two off Mission Viejo quarterback Mark Sanchez, considered the nation's top high school quarterback by many.
Sanchez, a USC commitment, threw for 234 yards and three scores -- including a 7-yarder to Sargeant as time expired to rally California to within two points of a tie. But instead of keeping the ball in Sanchez's hands, California coach Pete Duffy tried to surprise Florida with the run.
Jean-Francois didn't bite.
''They were trying to run the stretch out of a passing formation,'' said Jean-Francois, who also had a sack and four tackles. ``All I was trying to do was buy some time for my linebackers and make sure he didn't get loose. The whole week we've been loving like a family. I couldn't let the family down.''
Pahokee running back Antone Smith, who was awarded the state's Mr. Football Award last month after leading his team to a second consecutive state title, earned MVP honors for Florida even though he was outgained by Sargeant, who was named California's MVP.
Smith, who had a crowd of Pahokee fans in attendance cheering him on, broke six tackles on an amazing 18-yard touchdown run to give Florida a 14-7 lead with 9:10 remaining in the first half. He finished with 43 yards rushing on 12 attempts and a 13-yard catch.
Afterward, with TV cameras in his face, he played coy about his future college choice.
''Seriously, this stadium is pretty nice, and South Beach is off the chain,'' Smith said. ``I'm not going to announce anything yet. Right now, I'm going to enjoy this win. As far as the MVP, our defense deserved this award, not me.''
Orlando Edgewater cornerback Tyller Roberts, a player who was a late addition to Florida's roster, would have been a strong candidate. Roberts intercepted Sanchez twice and broke up two passes.
Dillard linebacker Elijah Hodge picked off a pass and finished with three tackles. Lakeland defensive tackle Kendrick Stewart finished with two sacks, five tackles and the best Florida celebration of the night.
After sacking California backup Derek Shaw in the third quarter, Stewart brought the sparse crowd to its feet when he went head over heels with back-to-back flips.
California outgained Florida 381 to 201, but in the end the big plays on defense and the return by Morley proved to be the difference.
''I thought our defense and that kickoff return by Morley gave us a big edge in the second half,'' Florida coach Dave Wilson said. ``These kids were a great pleasure to be around all week. It was definitely a dream team.''
