Prep football: Central's Cook gets untracked, Naples' Morgan slowed down

Miami Central bounces Naples from 6A playoffs

The Rockets ended the Eagles' perfect season ...

In the Class 6A semifinals Friday, Miami Central Rockets junior running back Dalvin Cook took off for big gainers all night, while the Naples Golden Eagles senior running back Manny Morgan couldn't get going.

After one of the best single seasons and careers in Naples history, Morgan finished his last game with 84 yards rushing on 21 carries and 57 yards receiving on two receptions in the Eagles' 48-33 loss at Staver Field.

"I'm going to miss him. I love him," Naples coach Bill Kramer said. "He's the real deal. He showed tonight he's a really good player. I'm excited to watch him play (in the future)."

Despite Morgan's success this year, he was not able to keep pace with Cook in Friday night's loss to the Rockets.

Morgan came into Friday's contest with 1,981 rushing yards on the season. He surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in the first half.

"It's a proud goal and a good accomplishment, but without my O-line I wouldn't have gotten 2,000 yards," Morgan said.

Morgan ended his career with 4,592 total rushing yards and 44 rushing touchdowns.

Naples quickly learned about Cook's speed. Cook, a Clemson recruit, burst for a 78-yard touchdown on a screen pass thrown by quarterback Keith Reed on the Rockets' first drive of the game.

"Speed kills, you know that," Cook said.

Despite Cook's electric run in the first quarter, the Rockets' coaching staff only gave him one more touch in the first half.

After trailing at halftime, the Rockets called more plays designed for Cook, who gave them three more 40-yard-plus gains.

Meanwhile, the Rockets turned its efforts toward stopping Morgan all night.

"They really tried to take Manny out of it in the triple option," Kramer said. "The defense is good enough to determine who has the ball in their hands."

Cook finished the game as the Rockets' leading rusher with nine carries for 155 yards and one reception for 78 yards for four total touchdowns.

"Me and Joey (Yearby) got to split carries," Cook said. "My time is going to come. I have to be patient."

Morgan has yet to pick a college to attend, but he will be playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January. The All-American Bowl is the top senior all-star game in the country.