Miami Southridge Flag Football -- Aiming for 2A State Title and Making History
By Jerry Williamson
Spartans Team Record: 10-2 Sedric Cherry - Head Coach/OC Jamahr Carter - Co-Defensive Coordinator Joe "Buga" Ray - Co-Defensive Coordinator Fallon Owens - Team Mgmt Coordinator SOUTH MIAMI HEIGHTS -- The Spartans Flag Football team road to glory, could make head coach Sedric Cherry, a varsity football defensive back coach, the first coach in Miami-Dade history, to win state championship in both boys and girls football.
The Spartans are fueled by first-year starter, QB Dontavia Tims -- who has learned on the go quite well, taking the sport by storm and is a candidate for first-team all-county and "Player of the Year".
Tims has made an in-stant impact on offense -- tallying 1,834 all-purpose yards and 20 Total TD's. She can throw it, run it, catch it, and play defensive back. On the opposite side of the ball -- the Spartans' defensive leader is defensive back Brooke Gibson. The ball-hawking free safety, possesses instincts, closing speed and a high football IQ.
Co-defensive coordinators Jamahr Carter and Joe "Buga" Ray, allows her at times to freelance. Why? Gibson leads the Spartans defensive touchdowns (4), interceptions (10) and ranks No. 2 in tackles with 84.
The talent pool doesn't stop there. The offense features an array of weapons. WR Krystin Easterling, a converted quarterback, that has made a smooth transition -- leading the Spartans in catches (25), receiving yards (274) and receiving touchdowns (3).
Running back Tyleisha Taylor can block, run and catch it out of the backfield. She leads the team in all-purpose yards with 335 and 3 touchdowns. Slot wide receiver Tamara Lesperance has contributed on both sides of the ball. Totalling 235 yards, 2 interceptions and 3 TD's. The offense will have to use everyone best effort this Tuesday, vs. Cooper City. A win will advance the Lady Spartans to the 2A finals. Defensive standouts DE Ashley Jaramillo, LB Shavia Walker and DB Anitra Culpepper proved they can take over a game as well, returning two pick sixies, which were by Shavia Walker and Brooke Gibson, and shutting out Miami High entering halftime 20-0. Pass rush specialist DE Ashley Jaramillo recorded a team-high 12 sacks this season. Linebacker Shavia Walker, is the team's leader in tackles with 94. Culpepper is used at center, linebacker and defensive back and has contributed at all three positions this season.
Make sure to come out this Tuesday, and support the Spartans take on Cooper City. Miami-Dade has two teams remainng in the hunt for the state title, which consist of 1A Miami Edison and 2A Miami Southridge.
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