Football Hotbed Florida High School First Round Playoff Rankings

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We are on to round two of the FHSAA state playoffs and there were some dominating performances by the favorites, but some contenders did have their season end last weekend.  The next round has some terrific matchups that could be considered state semifinals or finals if the pairings were different. Cinderella has a funny way of showing up this time of year and every class has a potential candidate to make a run.  

See our championship game predictions and full updated playoff bracket in our playoff preview

Trinity Christian Conquered

Trinity Catholic (not Christian) beat Trinity Christian (not Catholic) last Friday in one of the biggest upsets of the weekend.  Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) has long been one of the favorites to get to Tallahassee for the 3A state championship game, but fell to the four seeded Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 23-21.  Ole Miss commit Kyjuan Henderson of the Conquerors was stopped short of the goal line by Ethan Pacrem to seal the upset. Jamarian Samuel had an 85-yard touchdown run for the Celtics.

Jamarian Samuel Trinity Christian Game Film

Washington Impressive In Opening Playoff Round

In one of the biggest first-round games of the weekend, Miami Booker T. Washington took down Miami Carol City at Traz Powell Stadium on Thursday night. 


Torey “Scooter” Morrison scored in the air twice and once on the ground for the five-time state champions.

Torey Morrison, QB, Miami Booker T. Washington

Booker T. gets Gulliver (Miami) in the next round. 

Torey Morrison Miami Carol City Game Film

Chamberlain Kicks Rockledge Out

Another upset in the opening round came in 5A – Region 3 when top-seeded Rockledge went down to Chamberlain (Tampa) 25-13.  The defensive line of Johnny Walker and James Ash shut down the Raiders offense and now take on a tough Tampa Jesuit team this week.  The Chiefs of Chamberlain are on a five-game winning streak.  

Johnny Walker Rockledge Game Film

James Ash Game Film

Plantation Draw Tough Second Round Opponent

The Colonels of Plantation won on the road last week in Hialeah to advance to the second round of the playoffs.  Senior quarterback and UT Martin commit Gerard Nesbitt hooked up with 2021 Miami commit Jacolby George for a 64-yard score en route to a 47-35 win over the T-Breds.  Plantation’s only loss of the season is a 35-0 blowout loss to St. Thomas Aquinas.

Gerard Nesbitt, QB, Plantation

The Colonels take on the Raiders this week. 

Gerard Nesbitt Game Film

Jacolby George Game Film

Last Year Not A Fluke? 

The 2018 5A state runner ups wanted to let the state know that last year was no fluke.  North Marion (Citra) defeated Dunnellon 48-9 in round one in of the tough regions in these playoffs. Dunnellon defeated both North Marion and Vanguard (Ocala) in district play during the season.  North Marion gets Vanguard next week as they continue to look to avenge regular-season district losses.  N. Marion lost to Dunnellon 20-14 and lost to Vanguard 18-14 this season.  

High Seeds, Close Calls

Both Lake Wales and Palm Beach Lakes and Palmetto survived and advanced to the next round in surprisingly close games.  Lake Wales escaped with a 22-21 win over Sebring, Palm Beach Lakes squeaked by with a 32-27 victory over East Lake (Tarpon Springs), and Palmetto needed a comeback from a 21-10 deficit to get by Braden River.  The competition only gets harder from this point forward so each of the aforementioned teams have to step their game up if they want to stay alive. Lake Wales hosts Atlantic (Gulfport), PBL hosts Venice, and Palmetto hosts Port Charlotte in round two.

Tre’Von Taylor, junior quarterback for PBL, accounted for four touchdowns and his touchdown throw to Christopher Johnson with about a minute left proved to be the difference for Lakes. 

Tre’Von Taylor Game Film

Wildcats Take Care of Home Field

Western (Davie) kept their state championship hopes alive with a solid 43-20 victory over South Dade (Homestead).  Freshman quarterback Collin Hurst went 15 of 25 for 252 yards and threw for four touchdowns in his first playoff start. 

Collin Hurst, QB, Western

The speedy QB also had 40 yards on the ground. Western gets the number one seed in the region Miami Palmetto this week. The Panthers crushed the Wildcats 23-0 in the kickoff classic back in August. 

Collin Hurst South Dade Game Film

Top Performers

Jordan Niles, RB, Clearwater Central Catholic – The senior had 263 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 49-28 win over Calvary Christian (Clearwater).  Marauders get Berkely Prep (Tampa) next.

Jordan Niles Calvary Christian Game Film

Bryan Robinson, WR, Palm Beach Central – The senior scored five touchdowns including two 60-plus yard scores in a 49-42 win over Centennial (Port St. Lucie).  Palm Beach Central hosts Deerfield Beach next week.

Bryan Robinson Centennial Game Film

Chad Dodson, QB, Bartram Trail (St. Johns) – The senior went 10 of 12 for 165 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in a 42-0 shutout of Spruce Creek.  Bartram Trail hosts Apopka this week. Apopka won the only meeting between the two schools 33-28 in a 2018 regular-season game.  

Chad Dodson Spruce Creek Game Film

O’Shae Baker, ATH, Seminole (Sanford) – The senior lined up in the slot, from the wildcat formation, and in the backfield to score four touchdowns in a 59-32 win over Mandarin (Jacksonville). Mandarin is the first champion from the 2018 season to be eliminated.  Seminole will march on to host Timber Creek this week.  

O’Shae Baker Mandarin Game Film

Games To Watch This Week 

(All Game Times Eastern)

#7 Miami Booker T. Washington Vs. #19 Gulliver (Miami) Friday 7:30

#8 Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) At #21 University School (Davie) Friday 7:30

#12 Bartram Trail Vs. #24 Apopka Friday 7:30

#6 Edgewater (Orlando) Vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) Friday 7:30

#14 Miami Central At Naples Friday 7:30

#18 Miami Palmetto Vs. Western (Davie) Friday 7:30

#20 Palm Beach Lakes Vs. Venice Friday 7:00

#25 North Marion (Citra) At Vanguard (Ocala) Friday 7:30

Atlantic (Delray) At McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:30

Columbia (Lake City) At Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30

Chamberlain (Tampa) At Tampa Jesuit Friday 7:30

American Heritage (Delray) Vs. Tampa Catholic Friday 7:30

Miami Edison At Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 8:00

Osceola (Kissimmee) At Dr. Phillips (Orlando) Friday 7:30

Wakulla (Crawfordville) Vs. Raines (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30

Top 25

1. Lakeland (7A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated Wiregrass Ranch (Wesley Chapel) 57-7

This Week: Vs. Tampa Bay Tech Friday 7:30 

DeMarkcus Bowman, RB, Lakeland

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated South Broward 52-0

This Week: Vs. Plantation Friday 7:30 PM

Trey Wingo, LB, St. Thomas Aquinas

3. Miami Northwestern (5A) (9-2)

Last Week: Defeated Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale) 

This Week: Vs. Miami Killian 

4. American Heritage (Plantation) (5A) (9-1)

Last Week: Defeated Key West 53-15

This Week: Vs. North Miami Beach Friday 7:30 

5. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Melbourne 57-0

This Week: Vs. Bloomingdale (Valrico) Friday 7:30 

6. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Crestview 31-14

This Week: Vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) Friday 7:30

7. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (9-2)

Last Week: Defeated Miami Carol City 35-14

This Week: Vs. Gulliver (Miami) Friday 7:30 

8. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) (4A) (9-2)

Last Week: Defeated  Monsignor Pace (Miami) 56-26

This Week: At University School (Davie) Friday 7:30 

9. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Bishop Moore (Orlando) 32-16

This Week: Vs. Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) Friday 7:30

10. Vero Beach (8A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated Boca Raton 42-7

This Week: Vs. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) Friday 7:30

11. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (8-2)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Somerset Academy (Miami) Friday 7:30

12. Bartram Trail (St. Johns) (8A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated Spruce Creek 42-0

This Week: Vs. Apopka Friday 7:30 

13. Seminole (Sanford) (8A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated Mandarin (Jacksonville) 59-32

Next Week: Vs. Timber Creek (Orlando) Friday 7:30

14. Miami Central (6A) (8-3)

Last Week: Defeated Dunbar (Fort Myers) 38-0

This Week: At Naples Friday 7:30

15. Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (10-0)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Clewiston Friday 7:30

16. Madison County (1A) (8-2)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Hilliard Friday 7:30

17. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) (6A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated Lely (Naples) 48-6

This Week: Vs. Fort Myers Friday 7:30

18. Miami Palmetto (8A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Taravella (Coral Springs) 68-0

This Week: Vs. Western (Davie) Thursday 7:00 At Harris Field

19. Gulliver (Miami) (4A) (10-0)

Last Week: Bye

Next Week: Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 7:30

20. Palm Beach Lakes (7A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated East Lake (Tarpon Springs) 32-27

This Week: Vs. Venice Friday 7:00

21. University School (Davie) (4A) (8-2)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30

22. Columbus (Miami) (8A) (7-4)

Last Week: Defeated Coral Gables 50-14

This Week: Vs. Miami Thursday 7:00

23. Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Boca Ciega (Gulfport) 47-27

Next Week: Vs. Clearwater Friday 7:30

24. Apopka (8A) (10-1)

Last Week: Defeated Flagler Palm Coast 42-25

This Week: At Bartram Trail (St. Johns) Friday 7:30

25. North Marion (Citra) (5A) (9-2)

Last Week: Defeated Dunnellon 48-9

This Week: At Vanguard (Ocala) Friday 7:30

Others Receiving Votes:

Atlantic (Delray) (7A) (7-3)

Last Week: Defeated Blanche Ely (Pompano) 47-12

This Week: At McArthur (Hollywood) Friday 7:30

Bloomingdale (Valrico) (7A) (9-2)

Last Week: Defeated Winter Haven 14-7

This Week: At Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30

Chamberlain (Tampa) (5A) (7-4)

Last Week: Defeated Rockledge 25-13

This Week: Tampa Jesuit Friday 7:30

Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (6-3)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Miami Christian Friday 7:30

Cocoa (4A) (6-3)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Astronaut (Titusville) Friday 7:30

Columbia (Lake City) (6A) (8-3)

Last Week: Defeated Ponte Vedra 14-7

This Week: At Lee (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30

Deerfield Beach (8A) (8-3)

Last Week: Defeated Palm Beach Gardens 53-9

This Week: At Palm Beach Central Friday 7:30

Escambia (Pensacola) (6A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated New Smyrna Beach 44-0

This Week: Vs. Mainland (Daytona) Friday 7:30 

Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (9-1)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: Vs. Episcopal School (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30

Lake Wales (5A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated Sebring 22-21

This Week: Vs. Atlantic (Port Orange) Friday 7:30

Naples (6A) (10-0)

Last Week: Defeated South Fort Myers 45-7

This Week: Vs. Miami Central Friday 7:30

Niceville (7A) (11-0)

Last Week: Defeated Chiles (Tallahassee) 31-10

This Week: Vs. Fleming Island Friday 7:30 

Plantation (7A) (9-1)

Last Week: Defeated Hialeah 47-35

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

Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (3A) (8-3)

Last Week: Defeated Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 23-21

This Week: At Pensacola Catholic Friday 7:30

Venice (7A) (6-4)

Last Week: Defeated Lehigh 49-0

This Week: At Palm Beach Lakes Friday 7:00

8A

Vero Beach

Bartram Trail (St. Johns)

Seminole (Sanford)

7A 

Lakeland

St. Thomas Aquinas

Armwood (Seffner)

6A

Miami Central

Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)

Columbia (Lake City)

5A

Miami Northwestern

American Heritage (Plantation) 

Jones (Orlando)

4A

Miami Booker T. Washington

Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale)

Lakewood (St. Petersburg)

3A

Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)

Florida State High (Tallahassee)

Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 

2A

Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) 

University Christian (Jacksonville)

Victory Christian (Lakeland)

1A

Madison County

Blountstown

Baker

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About Marcus Benjamin

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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