Central Notches "4-Peat", Rockets Rout Armwood 48-13

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ORLANDO (SFHSSports) – The word dynasty can be defined as a succession of people from the same family or group who play a prominent role in a particular field.

Central's football program has built a dynasty – the Rocket Dynasty.

Led by freshman James Cook, who rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns, Central won its fourth straight Class 6A state championship Saturday afternoon defeating Seffner Armwood 48-13 in front of 3,980 fans at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.

Two fourth quarter touchdowns, Cook's third score of the day – a 57-yard scamper in which he outran the entire Armwood (14-1) defense – and a touchdown reception by Darnell Salomon put the Rockets ahead 48-13 with 4:01 left in the game and turned on a running clock.

Rockets head coach Roland Smith, who now has four state rings on his head coaching resume, said that this year's state title is the sweetest.

"This is the sweetest because its history," said Smith, who earned his first ring in 2006 at Northwestern before winning three successive with Central. "It's the first time in a team in Dade County that a team has gone to six straight championship games and we've won five."

"I have to give credit to the kids, my coaching staff, myself, my [athletic director], my principal and the community. The whole community was behind us, my coaching staff and players bust their behinds day in and day out…this is the product of hard work – hard work pays off. I also have to give credit to Telly Lockette, he started this thing here and I've just been able to keep it going."

Central joins Booker T. Washington as the only teams in Miami-Dade County history to win four straight state football titles. Both Dade programs share the state record for consecutive titles won with Tallahassee North Florida Christian (1998-2001) and Live Oak Suwannee (1987-1991).

Booker T. and Central are now also tied for the most football championships in Miami-Dade County with five. Three other programs – Northwestern, Coral Gables and Carol City – each have four.

The Rockets did, however, make history just by stepping onto the field Saturday, becoming the first team in state history to appear in six straight state final games.

Also, through the past four championship seasons Central has only lost six games; losses to Bradenton Manatee and Georgia Grayson in 2012; losses to Booker T. Washington in 2013 and 2014; and two losses this season.

Saturday was the fourth time Armwood and Central squared off in the state title game. Armwood won the first match up in 2011, but both teams ended up being vacated from the bracket. The Rockets made easy work of the Hawks in a 52-7 drubbing in 2013 and Central won the 2014 showdown 24-10.

Cook's performance Saturday was reminiscent of that of his older brother, Florida State super sophomore Dalvin Cook.

Throughout the season the 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman was just a part of Central's stable of ball carriers. But the youngster broke out against an Armwood defense that was only giving up an average of 80 yards per game on the ground.

On his last scoring run, he took a handoff around the left side of the Rockets offensive line pulled away from the Hawks defense with an eerily similar gait to his brother – the only difference is James runs with longer strides.

After the game, Cook said he was just acting on something that coach Smith told the team during his pregame speech.

"Coach told all the underclassmen that this is our moment," Cook said. "He told us that making big plays in big games like this is how you make a name for yourself. It was my time and I had my shot and I just did what I had to do…I was in a rhythm and I ran through the holes my O-Line opened for me."

Cook ran for his game and career-high yardage on 15 carries. Terrell Perriman and Kywan Smith had 44 and 40 yards rushing respectively and senior quarterback Jerrod Thomas ran for 37 yards and a first quarter touchdown.

Thomas, who was a big reason why Central's offense totaled over 30 points in all of its past four games, also completed 13 of 19 passes for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns Saturday.

Thomas said he played with a different mentality – during the playoffs and Saturday.

"I did it with my mind," Thomas said. "[Offensive coordinator Alex Snipes] prepared me well and I was able to read the defenses, make the right checks and make plays when they were there."

Things went from zero to 100 for the Rockets Saturday.

Central opened the game on a 15-play drive that spanned six minutes before it stalled at the Armwood 10-yard line. The Rockets turned the ball over on downs and that set up a 90-yard Erin Collins touchdown run for the Hawks, as Armwood took a 6-0 lead with 5:13 left in the first quarter.

The Rockets' next drive wasn't as fruitful either and it ended with a short punt that set Armwood up with great field position.

Then the game turned.

As Armwood's Darrian McNeal ran through the second level of Central's defense, Rockets senior linebacker Donovan Thompson jarred the ball loose and it flew right into the hands of Allen Jones, who then returned the fumble 90 yards for a score.

Then the Rockets got another break on the ensuing kickoff as the Hawks mishandled the ball and Central recovered it on the Armwood 11-yard line.

Central turned that short field into a 14-6 lead after Jerrod Thomas 1-yard plunge and extended that lead again late in the second quarter when freshman running back James Cook rumbled 28 yards for a touchdown.

Up 21-6 with less than 20 seconds left in the first half, Central forced an Armwood turnover and got the ball back. Already in Hawks territory, Central stayed aggressive and Thomas connected with Carmoni Green on a 46-yard touchdown pass as the first half clock expired.

Central ended up taking a 29-6 lead into the locker room after a successful two-point conversion pass to senior defensive lineman Keir Thomas, who finished with seven total tackles – one behind the team leader linebacker Donovan Thompson.

What the Rockets accomplished Saturday is a great feat that most programs could only dream of. But the scary part – for the rest of the state – is that Central returns a chunk of its offensive line, all of its leading receivers, has a sophomore quarterback that got significant snaps this season in Tijuane Morten and young James Cook.

Coach Smith said that he doesn't see the Rockets dynasty ending anytime soon.

"People said the dynasty was over when we lost Joe Yearby and Dalvin Cook, they said it would end after last year with all the players we graduated, but it's not over," Smith said. "Our goal will remain the same; we plan on continuing to work to get better. Our goal every year is to be in the state finals. We're not gonna stop."