Homestead Romps Jackson
By Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat
September 19, 2003

When Jackson’s bus broke down on the way to Harris Field, they should have known it a sign of bad things to come.

Homestead made sure it was worse than bad thrashing the Generals 37-6 before 2,500 fans finishing off a three-game stretch against teams from North Dade to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Behind the cannon arm of quarterback Tavares Kendrick, Homestead opened up fast and never looked back taking a 28-0 lead into the half.

The onslaught began on the first drive as Kendrick led the Broncos down the field in a 4-plat, 73-yard drive, capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to James McCray.

After forcing two Jackson punts, Kendrick hit the Generals with a quick-strike 37-yard touchdown pass to Ben West for a 13-0 lead.

Kendrick finished the night 15 for 22 for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.

“Kendrick can flat out play,” Homestead head coach Andrew Brown said. “He’s a man among boys. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country. There is no doubt in my mind. He is so underrated. He was actually ranked #41 by The Herald coming into the season.”

Kendrick was not the offensive star though. Running back Ben West rushed 14 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass.

Homestead’s defense was just as dominant limiting Jackson to 29 yards in the first behind the play of linebacker Venson Jones who had a nose for the ball recovering three fumbles and recording a sack.

“Everybody on the defense stepped it up,” Jones said. “I saw the ball on the ground and I had to go get it.”

The Broncos did not let up though offensively as they scored on a 17-yard run by McCray late in the second quarter. They finished the half with a 1-yard plunge by Kendrick for 28-0 lead going into the half and it was smooth sailing from there.

“The defense stepped and then the offensive line gave me enough time, and I was able to pick them apart,” Kendrick said. “With the offensive coordinator we got, if I get time, the other team is going to struggle.”

Jackson was able to crack the scoreboard though midway through the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Alfonza Willis, but that was all the Generals would get as Homestead held them to only 133 yards of offense, sacking Jackson’s quarterbacks four times, forcing six fumbles, recovering three.

Although it was not a district match up, this was a very big game for Brown as he got his first head-coaching job at Jackson before coming over the Homestead.

An even bigger game though before district play begins for Homestead is their battle with Killian next week at FIU Stadium.

“Since I have been at Homestead, Killian is the only team we haven’t beaten yet,” Brown said. “I really want to beat them next week. Let me tell you, our district is one of the best districts in the state. There isn’t an easy game on our schedule.”

Jones summed it up for Homestead after they swept three games from Central, Booker T. Washington and Jackson.

“We are just trying to make sure that everyone is looking at Homestead now.”

Picture 1: Homestead's Tron Thomas being dragged down by Jackson's Michael Johnson.
Picture 2: Jackson's Marcus Allen under center.
Picture 3. Homestead's Tavares Kendrick running his show. He may be the best QB in Florida.