ESPN RISE

MIAMI -- On the corner of 95th Street and 17th Avenue just off I-95 in the Liberty City section of Miami sits Miami Central Senior High School. It's in a neighborhood of liquor stores and gas stations, and there's an auto body shop across the street from the pothole-laced practice fields.

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Kynon Codrington

QB Jeff Godfrey paces a Miami Central offense that has outscored opponents 235-27

Kids who attend Central certainly don't have the advantages of those from St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), the last Florida team to appear on national television. The No. 1 team in the RISE FAB 50 beat No. 2 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) last Friday night in ESPNU.

For Central and those from Liberty City, the game Thursday on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. ET against city rival Miami Northwestern is being treated the same as if it were a state championship. However, the team is focused on winning this week's game and taking care of the Bulls when it matters most: in the Class 6A state playoffs.

The Rockets have never won a state title, although they have fielded some formidable teams in recent years. The school also has produced prominent players, such as running backs Willis McGahee and Najeh Davenport, linebacker Ali Highsmith and wide receiver Darnell Jenkins. The late Bryan Pata, a University of Miami player and possible NFL draft pick, also was a Rocket. He was shot to death outside his apartment in November 2006.

To get to their ultimate goal, the Rockets are reminded of their motto -- One Goal, One Team -- every day when they lace up their Nike cleats, which are customized with that motto etched into the fabric.

Central topped Northwestern last year in the regular season before falling to the 'West in the playoffs, 38-32. The Rockets and Bulls annually battle for the District 13 championship and the winner Thursday will have the top spot in the conference and an inside track to secure a state playoff spot.

One difference from seasons past is the Rockets enter the game as the top-ranked team in Class 6A and have a higher ranking (No. 7) in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 poll than the Bulls (No. 31). They have gone from the hunter to the hunted, although they know it was only last week when Northwestern was at No. 4 in the FAB 50 and likely would be No. 2 were it not for a loss last Saturday to Booker T. Washington.

After Tuesday's practice, Central head coach Telly Lockette reminded his team the Bulls come in as underdogs, and underdogs have bite.

"Every game is a statement game," Lockette told his players. "We don't need to play Northwestern or have ESPN here to get up for this game. Every week we are making a statement and we won't stop until state."

Lockette knows what his team is up against. He won two state championships as the offensive coordinator at Northwestern. The former Idaho State linebacker also brought over a few coaches from his former school to help bring a championship mentality to his new program.

Former NFL running back Mark Higgs helps coach the team. He is more of a mentor than coach, but he provides an occasional tip or two from his playing days. He also uses his truck to give rides to players after practice, sometimes piling in seven or eight players at a time.

On the field, the team is loaded at the skill positions, led by senior quarterback Jeff Godfrey. He is listed at 6-feet, 185 pounds and is regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the state. He has passed for 1,167 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 228 yards and three scores this season.

Senior Brandon Gainer, an all-county performer, and junior Devonta Freeman pace the ground game. On the perimeter, senior receivers Josh Reese and C.J. Gaines are dangerous. Reese describes himself as a possession receiver, and Gaines has the speed to stretch the field.

The Rockets have outscored their opposition 235-27 through five games. The defense has pitched three shutouts.

Godfrey knows all eyes will be on him to lead his team past the Bulls.

"I'm trying to be great and come out with a 15-0 record as a senior and bring the state championship home," he said. "I love having this game on TV. It's my first experience and I can't wait. I'm ready."

Gaines, a junior, is also focused on the big picture.

"I'm trying to win state," he said. "That is the only thing on my mind."

The road to the district title starts Thursday at Florida International University Stadium. It might also be the start of the playoffs for these teams and a chance for Central to make its first trip to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, home of this year's Florida High School Athletic Association state championships.

Kynon Codrington covers high school sports for ESPNRISE.com