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Washington Looking To Break Hillsborough Jinx

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By NICK WILLIAMS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2007

Tim Harris has been the football coach at Miami Washington High for five seasons. The last four, his team has been eliminated in the state semifinals by a Hillsborough County team.

In 2003, 2004 and 2005, Washington lost to Armwood, and last season, it crossed paths with an undefeated Plant squad and lost 20-15. In the past four years, Washington has been outscored by Hillsborough County teams 127-98 in postseason play.

Harris hopes his players can end that streak Friday, when they host Armwood in the Class 4A state semifinals at Traz Powell Stadium on Miami-Dade College's North campus at 7:30 p.m.

"Unfortunately, we haven't won a state championship," Harris said, "but five years going to the state tournament, we have to feel good about our situation."

Armwood won the postseason meetings 34-14, 36-35 and 37-34. Harris said he is expecting another close game.

"They're going to be the same hard-fought team we face every time," he said. "We just have to play a full 48 minutes and stay away from penalties."

Armwood is coming off a 36-7 win against Plant, while Washington squeezed past Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 7-6 to advance. Both teams enter the game undefeated, Armwood at 13-0 and Washington at 12-0. The teams were ranked 1-2 in the final 4A state poll, and the Tornadoes are No. 8 in the latest USA Today Super 25 national poll, while Armwood is No. 18.

Harris is aware that his defense will have to contain Armwood senior running back Eric Smith, who rushed for a score and threw a touchdown pass in the state semifinal game as a sophomore in 2005.

"We're a great tackling team," Harris said, "but we know he's improved and gotten better since the 10th grade."

This year's team is better in different ways.

"This team has more seniors," Harris said. "They've been around a little bit more."

The Tornadoes also entered the national poll earlier this year. Harris said the national recognition hasn't gone to his players' heads. In fact, it has given them more confidence.

"Anytime you put yourself in the position to be nationally ranked, it's good for the kids."

Washington lost its starting quarterback, 6-foot-4 senior Sancho McDonald, during the third week of the season to a knee injury. Harris said McDonald will not attempt to play in the semifinal and is done for the season. Junior Torrance Moise has led the offense with 1,207 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions in place of McDonald.

Harris said Moise brings a new dimension to the offense.

"He runs the ball a little bit better," he said.

Washington will face the best defense in Hillsborough County. Armwood held one of the nation's top quarterbacks, Plant junior Aaron Murray, to season lows in both meetings.

Still, Harris is more than confident his offensive line can handle Armwood's defense.

"We have the best defense in the state of Florida right here in Miami and our offense practices against the best defense in the state."

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 865-4848 or nwilliams@tampatrib.com.

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