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Football Hotbed Florida High School Football Round 2 Playoff Rankings

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Marcus Benjamin @BenjaminReport

Beating a team twice in a season is a sign of a strong team and good coaching.  Many teams in these playoffs were able to beat their rival twice and some may have to do it again in the next round.  Other teams are peaking at the right time and the dream of hoisting the state championship trophy in Orlando is starting to become a reality.  The suspense continues to build as we get closer to our final destination…Camping World Stadium.

Orlando/Jacksonville/Panhandle Area

Wekiva (Apopka) (11-1) defeated Apopka (8-4) for the second time this season with a 28-7 victory to advance to their second straight regional final.  Junior quarterback Larry Preston accounted for all four touchdowns scoring in the air and on the ground. Wekiva gave up their first touchdown on offense in the fourth quarter since September 28th.  In order to reach their second straight semifinal, they will have to get passed Mandarin (Jacksonville) (8-4) who dominated Winter Park (10-2) 41-8 last week behind the leadership from junior quarterback and Alabama commit Carson Beck, who also accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing and 1 rushing).  

For the second time in three years, Lee (Jacksonville) (10-1) advance to the regional finals with a 31-27 win over the favorite to win the region, Columbia (Lake City) (10-2).  The Generals held off a comeback from the Tigers lead by backup quarterback Kade Jackson. Starting junior quarterback Jordan Smith was injured in the first quarter and replaced in the second half.  Jackson almost lead the Tigers out of a 24-point deficit, but fell short on a turnover on downs to complete the comeback. Lee will host Edgewater (Orlando) (11-1) in the regional final. Edgewater went on the road to defeat Lincoln (Tallahassee) (7-5) and will have to get another road win to advance to the state semifinals.

Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (7-5) are the defending champions of 8A and Vero Beach (11-1) received a strong reminder of this as the Indians were eliminated by the Panthers 19-7 last Friday night.  The Panther defense mauled the previously undefeated Indians as Vero was held to single digits for the first time all season.  Senior running back Japerri Powell sealed the victory with a 23-yard run with 1:35 remaining in the game to send the Panthers to the regional final for the fifth straight year.  Dr. Phillips will look to continue their run for back to back state titles as they travel to Sarasota to take on Riverview (9-3).

Navarre (11-1) avenged their only loss of the season to rival Escambia (Pensacola) (9-3) 50-22.  The Raiders produced over 400 yards of offense lead by senior running back Christ Williams who had 141 yards and a touchdown in the game.  Six different players scored touchdowns for the Raiders as they get another rematch with Crestview (9-2) this week.  Navarre defeated Crestview 41-35 in overtime back in September.

Tampa Bay Area

Clearwater Central Catholic (11-0) continues its dominant play by defeating Tampa Catholic (8-4) for the second time this season with a 30-3 win.  The Marauders had two weeks to prepare and held the Crusaders to 98 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Rory Hicks went 18 of 22 for 212 yards and two touchdowns.  CCC hosts Berkeley Prep (Tampa) (7-3) for their seventh straight 3A regional final appearance with a chance to reach their second straight state semifinal.  Berkeley opened the season with a 35-14 loss to CCC.

Venice (11-1) continued their 7A title defense as they stopped Braden River (Bradenton) (9-3)’s playoff run with a 28-21 conquest.  The Indians conquered the Pirates for the sixth straight time. Venice jumped out to 21-0 lead in the first quarter and held off a furious comeback on the Indian home field.  Bloomingdale (Valrico) (11-1) will get the opportunity to dethrone Venice as they took out Palmetto (8-4) 21-14. Sophomore running back Charles Montgomery filled in for injured junior quarterback Lance Alderson and scored on a touchdown pass and run in the game.  The Bulls defense held off a fourth quarter comeback to advance to their first regional final is school history.

Jefferson (Tampa) (7-5) continues their improbable run in 5A as they are the lone 8 seed remaining in these playoffs. They pulled off another stunning upset defeating Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (6-6) 34-23 and will take their Cinderella story to Tampa Jesuit (11-1) this week.

South Florida Area 

Miami Central (10-2) is the new number one in the state as they defeated their rival Miami Carol City (9-3) 30-21 at Traz Powell Stadium.   Senior linebacker and UCF commit Tatum Bethune’s interception and FIU commit senior running back Lexington “Flex” Joseph’s 270 yards on the ground was the difference for the Rockets.  Central will have to defeat Miami Northwestern (7-5) for the second time this season to make it to their first state semifinal since 2015.  Northwestern will be going for back to back state championships and have dominated their first two playoff opponents by a combined score of 62-35.  The first game between the rival schools was close until Central’s senior quarterback Maurice Underwood pulled away connecting on some deep shots downfield.  

The 5A champions are business as usual even though this run is on the road for the American Heritage (Plantation) (10-1) Patriots.  Heritage went up to Rockledge (10-2) and came back home victorious with a 31-14 win. Senior running back Tyler Jones ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns in the win.  Now they take on a familiar opponent in Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (10-2). The 16-5A district champion battled to get to the regional final with a narrow 30-27 win over Jones (Orlando) (10-2) .  Starting senior quarterback and Kentucky commit Nik Scalzo suffered an ACL tear in his knee in the game and will be out for the remainder of the playoffs. He suffered the injury on a trick play after he caught a pass.  He returned to the game after the injury to lead his team to the eventual game winning score by senior running back and Pittsburgh commit Vincent Davis. Gibbons defeated Heritage on the road earlier this season 24-14 with a game sealing pick six by senior defensive back and Marshall commit Sidney Porter.  Gibbons will host this match presumably with capable backup sophomore quarterback Brody Palhegyi at the helm.

Deerfield Beach (11-1) shutout Plantation (10-2) 23-0 in the regional semifinal last week and have outscored their opponents 55-14 so far.  Another big night by junior running back and Oklahoma commit Jaylan Knighton lead the Bucks with 132 yards on 26 carries scoring two touchdowns. Deerfield will host Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (11-1) with the chance to advance to the state semifinals.  PBC shutout Western (Davie) (9-3) 38-0 and will be a great test for the top seeded Bucks. Central avenged last year’s playoff loss to Western and now have won 11-straight games. Senior quarterback Mike Moreland passed for 183 yard and accounted for three total touchdowns last week.  

South Dade (Homestead) (10-2) failed to win the district, but are the only team standing as they defeated Miami Southridge (9-3) 21-13.  Junior defensive back and Miami commit Jaiden Francois got three interceptions and a touchdown for the Bucs to advance to the regional final for the first time since 2015. They face undefeated Miami Columbus (12-0) next week.  Columbus beat South Dade 42-9 in 2015 and advance to regional final this year after dismantling Miami Palmetto (10-2) 42-0. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM on Black Friday.

Glades Central (Belle Glade) (8-3) took advantage of an absent and injured starting quarterback Torrey Morrison for most of the game to snatch victory from Miami Booker T. Washington (5-6) 18-16.  An interception by Earnest Jackson on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game proved to be game clinching play. The Raiders travel to top seeded University (Davie) (10-1) in hopes to continue their surprising run.

Games To Watch This Week

8A

Wekiva (Apopka) Vs. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM

Deerfield Beach Vs. Palm Beach Central Friday 7:30 PM

Dr. Phillips At. Riverview Sarasota Friday 7:30 PM

Columbus Vs. South Dade Friday 1:00 PM At Tropical Park

7A

Venice Vs. Bloomingdale (Valrico) 7:00 PM

Lee (Jacksonville) Vs. Edgewater (Orlando) Friday 7:30 PM

Lakeland Vs. Tampa Plant Friday 7:30 PM

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) Friday 7:30 PM

6A

Miami Central Vs. Miami Northwestern Friday 7:30 PM

Vanguard (Ocala) Vs. Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30 PM

Navarre Vs. Crestview Friday 7:30 PM

Naples Vs. North Fort Myers Friday 7:30 PM

5A

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. American Heritage (Plantation) Friday 7:30 PM

Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM

Tampa Jesuit Vs. Jefferson (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

4A

University (Davie) Vs. Glades Central (Belle Glade) Friday 7:30 PM

Raines (Jacksonville) Vs West Nassau (Callahan) Friday 7:30 PM

Cocoa Vs. Bishop Verot (Fort Myers) Friday 7:30 PM

3A

Clearwater Central Catholic Vs. Berkeley Prep (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

Chaminade Madonna (Hollywood) Vs. American Heritage (Delray) Friday 7:30 PM

2A

Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg) Vs. Seffner Christian Friday 7:30 PM

Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) At Neumann (Naples) Friday 7:30 PM

1A

Madison County Vs. Chiefland Friday 7:30 PM

 

Top 25

(Teams eliminated from playoffs not included)

(All Times Eastern)

 

  1. Miami Central (6A) (10-2)

Last week: Defeated Miami Carol City 30-21

This week: Vs. Miami Northwestern at Traz Powell Stadium Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Fort Lauderdale 51-0

This week: Vs. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) (5A) (12-0)

Last week: Defeated Wakulla (Crawfordville) 28-12

This week: Vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) 7:30 PM Friday

 

  1. Deerfield Beach (8A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Plantation 23-0

This week: Vs. Palm Beach Central (Wellington) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Miami Columbus (8A) (12-0)

Last week: Defeated Miami Palmetto 42-0

This week: Vs. South Dade (Homestead) Friday 1:00 PM

 

  1. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (5A) (10-2)

Last week: Defeated Jones (Orlando) 30-27

This week: Vs. American Heritage (Plantation) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (10-1)

Last week: Defeated Rockledge 31-14

This week: At Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Lakeland (7A) (12-0)

Last week: Defeated Kathleen (Lakeland) 29-7

This week: Vs. Plant (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (9-2)

Last week:  Defeated Palmer Trinity (Miami) 62-0

This week: Vs. American Heritage (Delray) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Lee (Jacksonville) (7A) (10-1)

Last week: Defeated Columbia (Lake City) 31-27

This week: Vs. Edgewater (Orlando) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Wekiva (Apopka) (8A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Apopka 28-7

This week: Vs. Mandarin (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Clearwater Central Catholic (3A) (11-0)

Last week: Defeated Tampa Catholic 30-3

This week: Vs. Berkeley Prep (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

 

    13. Venice (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Braden River (Bradenton) 28-21

This week: Vs. Bloomingdale (Valrico) Friday 7:00 PM

 

  1. Vanguard (Ocala) (6A) (12-0)

Last week: Defeated Lake Wales 19-0

This week: Vs. Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Armwood (Seffner) (6A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Lake Weir 65-7

This week: At Vanguard (Ocala) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Tampa Jesuit (5A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Immokalee 31-3

This week: Vs. Jefferson (Tampa) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Palmetto 21-14

This week: At Venice Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. South Dade (Homestead)  (8A) (10-2)

Last week: Defeated Miami Southridge 21-13

This week: At Columbus Friday 1:00 PM

 

  1. Miami Northwestern (6A) (7-5)

Last week: Defeated Heritage (Palm Bay) 31-19

This week: Vs. Miami Central At Traz Powell Stadium Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Navarre (6A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Escambia (Pensacola) 50-22

This week: Vs. Crestview Friday 7:20 PM

 

  1. Raines (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-1)

Last week: Defeated Marianna 47-9

This week: Vs. West Nassau (Callahan) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Palm Beach Lakes 55-27

This week: At St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Mandarin (Jacksonville) (8A) (8-4)

Last week: Defeated Winter Park 41-8

This week: At Wekiva (Apopka) Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Dr. Phillips (Orlando) (8A) (7-5)

Last week: Defeated Vero Beach 19-7

This week: At Riverview Sarasota Friday 7:30 PM

 

  1. Palm Beach Central (Wellington) (8A) (11-1)

Last week:  Defeated Western (Davie) 38-0

This week:  At Deerfield Beach Friday 7:30 PM

 

Also Receiving Votes:

 

Bolles (Jacksonville) (5A) (8-4)

Last week: Defeated Godby (Tallahassee) 32-27

This week: At Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM

 

Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Lincoln (Tallahassee) 35-14

This week: At Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30 PM

 

Glades Central (Belle Glade) (4A) (8-3)

Last week: Defeated Miami Booker T. Washington 18-16

This week: At University School (Davie) Friday 7:30 PM

 

Madison County (1A) (10-1)

Last week: Defeated Lafayette (Mayo) 50-20

This week: Vs. Chiefland Friday 7:30 PM

 

Naples (6A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Fort Myers 24-9

This week: Vs. North Fort Myers Friday 7:30 PM

 

Plant (Tampa) (7A) (11-1)

Last week: Defeated Viera 39-18

This week: At Lakeland Friday 7:30 PM

 

Seffner Christian (2A) (11-0)

Last week: Carrollwood Day (Tampa) 27-16

This week: At Admiral Farragut (St. Petersburg) Friday 7:30 PM

 

University School (Davie) (4A) (10-1)

Last week: Defeated Gulliver (Miami) 40-13

This week: Vs. Glades Central (Belle Glade) Friday 7:30 PM

 

Round 1 Playoff Rankings

Football Hotbed Florida High School Football Round 1 Playoff Rankings

Final Regular Season Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 10 Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 9 Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 8 Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 7 Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 6 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 6 Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 5 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 5 Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 4 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 4 Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 3 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 3 Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 2 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 2 Florida High School Football Rankings

Week 1 Rankings

Football Hotbed Week 1 Florida High School Football Rankings

Preseason Rankings

Football Hotbed Preseason Florida High School Football Rankings

 

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Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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