Live! Merritt Island plays Miami Central for the Class 5A state title
Read game story: Merritt Island falls to big momentum swing in 5A final
Update 3:38 p.m.
It's final. Miami Central 49, Merritt Island 14. More video, photos and game story coming at 321preps.com
Update, 3:25 p.m.
Fourth quarter starts with Merritt Island trailing, 49-7. On the first play, Denaburg hits Koby for a 51-yard pass. Mustangs are the Miami Central 14. A personal foul gives MI the ball, 1st-and-10 at the 7.
After a sack back to the 16, Denaburg to Bridger Koby for a touchdown at 7:11 of the 4th Qtr. The scoring drive went 80 yards in four plays.
Update 3:17 p.m.
Miami Central scores on a 72-yard run at 2:44 of the third quarter. Should be a running clock already. It's 49-7, Rockets.
Update 3:10 p.m.
The Mustangs drive stalled at the 45 (after some flags and a sack). A 62-yard FG attempt was no good. Miami Central goes the other way and scores on a 41-yard pass. Scroll down for the scoring summary.
Update 3 p.m.
Merritt Island comes out moving the ball in the 3rd Qtr. Down to the 21 of MC. On this drive, both Bridger Koby and Dallas Donahue have passed 1,000 yards receiving for the year.
Update 2:30 p.m.
Miami Central scores again, driving with passes of 14 and 37 yards for the score. It's 28-7, Rockets, late in the half.
Minutes later, a MI pass is intercepted and returned 60 yards for a touchdown. It's 35-7, Miami Central, at 1:05 of the 2nd Qtr.
Update 2:18 p.m.
Merritt Island blocks a punt near the end zone, but Miami Central intercepts at the 10 and returns it 90 yards for a 21-7 lead. 3:12 until halftime.
Scroll down for more updates and a scoring summary
Update, 2:35 p.m.
It's halftime. Miami Central leads, 35-7. Scroll down a bit to see the Mustangs touchdown and punt block.
Update 2:00 p.m.
Mustangs score on a 16 yard pass from Denaburg to Dallas Donahue at 6:13 of the 2nd Qtr. Denaburg kicks the PAT, and Merritt Island pulls within 14-7.
Update 1:57 p.m.
Merritt Island driving when MC returns an interception to the MI 20, but it's called back. Mustangs inside the red zone now, at the MC 16 middle of the 2nd.
Update 1:48 p.m.
Merritt Island follows with a 7-play, 25-yard drive but then punts. MC ball from its 33 at 9:01 of the 2nd Qtr. Mustangs defense and penalty flags cause Rockets to lose 28 yards on that drive. Merritt Island ball from the MC 46 at 7:04 of the 2nd Qtr.
Update 1:36 p.m.
After the Mustangs punted on their next drive, MC over at midfield and scored on a long pass. 14-0, Rockets, at 22 seconds of the period.
Updates continue below the video
Update, 1:28 p.m.
A 52-yard pass moves the Rockets into Mustangs territory. Miami Central then goes on the ground, finishing with a 13-yard scoring run. Drive went 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:04 of clock time. Check out the scoring summary at the bottom of the page for updates.
Update, 1:20 p.m.
Mustangs moving with the passing game. Down to the 21 midway through the first Qtr. On 4th and 1, Denaburg misses a 37-yard FG attempt. Miami Central going the other way now.
Update, 1:10 p.m.
Game has kicked off and Merritt Island forces a punt on first Miami Central drive. Both defenses dominating early. 9:49 in the first quarter.
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Merritt Island will look to win its first state title since 1979 when it takes on Miami Central in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Dec. 17.
The Mustangs defeated Sebring 12-10 on Dec. 3 in a 5A state semifinal.
Preview the game: Merritt Island, Miami Central traditions intersect in FHSAA 5A football final
How the Mustangs got there: Review Merritt Island's Class 5A state final season of 2021
The opposition: Miami Central boasts elite football talent
CLASS 5A CHAMPIONSHIP
CENTRAL 49, MERRITT ISLAND 14
Final
Scoring summary below the video
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 F
CENTRAL (MIAMI) (11-2) 14 | 21 | 14 | 07 – 49
MERRITT ISLAND (13-1) 00 | 07 | 00 | 07 – 14
First quarter
MC- Keyone Jenkins 13 run (Jayden John kick), 1:25
MC- Joshisa Trader 50 pass from Jenkins (John kick), 0:22
Second quarter
MI- Dallas Donahue 16 pass from Brady Denaburg (Denaburg kick), 6:13
MC- Trader 90 interception return (John kick), 3:12
MC- Lamar Seymore 37 pass from Dylan Tulloch (John kick), 1:23
MC- Trent Henry 60 interception return (John kick), 1:05
Third Quarter
MC- Trader 41 pass from Jenkins (John kick), 8:50
MC- Ean Pope 72 run (John kick), 2:44
Fourth Quarter
MI- Bridger Koby 16 pass from Denaburg (Denaburg kick), 7:11
FROM THURSDAY
CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
CARDINAL GIBBONS 21, COCOA 19
Final
Read about the game: Cocoa comes up short against Cardinal Gibbons in 4A final
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 F
CARDINAL GIBBONS (11-2) 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 – 21
COCOA (11-2) 7 | 0 | 0 | 12 – 19
First quarter
CC- Jesse Anderson 17 pass from Dylan Rizk (Adrian Alfieri kick), 8:07
C- O.J. Ross 3 run, (Elijah Andres-Davis kick), 0:28
Fourth Quarter
CG- Kamari Moulton 14 run (Alfieri kick), 10:41
C- Davin Wydner 1 run (run fails), 7:25
CG- Moulton 8 run (Alfieri kick), 2:22
C- Kyon Calhoun 72 pass from Wydner (run failed), 1:57
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: High school football: Live updates from Class 5A state championship
