And then there were four…
We are down to the final four in all eight classes in the FHSAA state championships. It’s been an exciting postseason thus far and at this time of the year, there is little to no doubt that these are the most deserving teams to still be alive.
The regular season is long over but we still rank the best teams in the state with only the teams that remain in the playoffs.
8A
In our playoff preview, we stated that 8A would be the most wide-open and it certainly has been the most unpredictable. Not a single number one seed out of the four regions made it to the final four.
Round 2 Let’s Go!
Ladies and gentlemen, in one of this year’s semifinal we have a rematch of last year’s semi-final between Columbus (Miami) and Deerfield Beach and much like last year, both teams get to this game dominating their postseason opponents. Deerfield defeated their opponents by an average of 36.6 points, while Columbus beating their opponents by 28 per game.
Most recently Deerfield went on the road and took down Vero Beach 35-7 and Columbus outlasted Western 36-21 at Tropical Park in Miami the site of this year’s matchup. Henry Parrish Jr. (Pittsburgh commit) had another explosive night for the Explorers rushing for 214 yards scoring four touchdowns.
Bucks running back Jaylan Knighton (former Florida State commit) scored twice in the first half and never looked back rushing for 93 yards on 15 carries.
There will be playmakers all over the field on both sides of the ball in this game. The winner will be the team that executes on offense and limits turnovers. Both teams have consistently been contenders for the state title in recent years, but neither has ever won a state title. Is this Deerfield’s year? Is this Columbus’s year? We shall see. Last year Columbus defeated Deerfield in Broward 49-21.
Steinbrenner Is Your Cinderella
The most surprising team to make it to the quartet is Steinbrenner (Lutz) from the Tampa Bay area. The public high school named after the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is just 10 years old and find themselves in the state semifinals for the first time ever. Last week the Warriors defeated Osceola (Kissimmee) 29-22 in the 8A-2 regional final. The fighting Steinbrenners are led by senior quarterback and FIU commit Haden Carlson and in a back and forth battle with the Kowboys, the 6’3” pro-style signal-caller passed for 276 yards and a touchdown completing 15 of his 22 passes. Also on offense, is the dynamic playmaking abilities of Jonathan Mallan. Mallan (2020) did it all last week passing for a 72-yard touchdown, rushing for 72 yards and caught four passes for 89 yards scoring two touchdowns. Carlson’s 8-yard touchdown to Jett Law in the fourth quarter would prove to be just enough to take out the Kowboys.
Haden Carlson Osceola Game Film
The four-seeded Warriors historic 12-win season can get even better if they can somehow get past Apopka Friday night.
Blue Darter Dominance
Apopka gets into the semis as the three seed after a convincing 34-13 win over Bartram Trail (St. Johns) two weeks ago and followed that up with a 20-0 shutout over top-seeded Seminole (Sanford). The Blue Darter defense forced four turnovers as first-year coach Jeff Rolson is looking to lead Apopka to their first state title since 2014. The Darter running game darted through the Seminole defense scoring three touchdowns from Akeem Brown, Tramar Jackson, and Jamarie Jackson. Senior D-lineman Jalen Carter contributed with three sacks on the night.
Apopka is looking to win its fourth state championship in school history.
7A
For the fourth straight year St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) and Venice will meet in the 7A state semifinals. St. Thomas won the first matchup 46-8, Venice bounced back to win the following year 27-20, and St. Thomas won the rubber match 38-18 in 2018. Let’s run it back!
Venice gets to this year’s state semifinal blowing out all three of their postseason opponents on the road and will travel to Fort Lauderdale with the winner getting the right to travel to Daytona. The Indians defeated Manatee (Bradenton) by 2-plus touchdowns after losing to their district opponent by 2-plus touchdowns earlier this season. Quarterback Steffon Johnson, who accounted for 310 yards leads a run-first attacking offense much like Mr. Football award winner Bryce Carpenter did in 2017 when the Indians won their first state championship. The junior Johnson rushed for 149 and passed for 161 in a 34-17 regional final win against the Hurricanes last week.
St. Thomas Aquinas comes into the semifinals firing on all cylinders blanking Atlantic (Delray) last Friday 26-0. The Raiders outgained the Eagles 442 to 160. Aquinas is currently ranked 2nd in the nation by USA Today just behind defending national champions Mater Dei (CA). The champions get rival St. John Bosco (CA) this week, a team they beat earlier this season 38-24. A Mater Dei loss coupled with a St. Thomas win may vault St. Thomas to number one in the nation and a chance at a third national title. The Raiders will be playing in their 6th consecutive state semifinal.
Down Go The Champs!
Looking to get back to the state final is the Armwood (Seffner) Hawks who are now the only other team ranked in the USA top 25 with their 23-10 win over the 2018 7A champions Lakeland. The Hawks are ranked 20th in the nation and host Edgewater (Orlando) Friday night. The game started with plenty of scoring early but scoring relatively ended with a Tavaris Thomas interception returned 30 yards for a touchdown with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Armwood forced two more turnovers in the game than Lakeland and just outgained the Dreadnaughts 218 to 183. The Hawks defense contained running back and Clemson commit DeMarkcus Bowman to 82 yards on 13 carries.
Edgewater Edges In Eagle War
The Edgewater Eagles ended Niceville’s undefeated season with a 28-20 victory last week for a chance to make it to Daytona for the 7A state title. Senior running back Isaiah Connelly had another huge night rushing for 235 yards on 24 carries and scored the game-clinching 36-yard score with 2:30 left in the game.
Edgewater lost to the eventual 7A champion Lakeland in the state semis last year 56-21. The Eagles of Orlando are seeking their first trip to the state title game since 2004 when they made three straight finals appearances.
Isaiah Connelly Niceville Game Film
6A
Miami Central is back in the state semifinals for the first since 2015 when the Rockets won the title that year. Central started these playoffs as a four-seed and dominated every opponent en route. Probably the most dominant was a 35-0 slamming of previously undefeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale). Head Coach Roland Smith head plenty of respect to give first-year head coach Eddie Frasier after the game.
“You are bring Dillard back! Great job.” A mutual respect between coaches Roland Smith and Eddie Frasier after @Roc__Nation defeated @high_dillard after the regional final. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/Dq9EOzZghK
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 27, 2019
Central is seeking its 6th state title. Next up for the Rockets is a trip to Palmetto who crushed Charlotte for the second time this season 62-15.
Gators and Cowboys Roll
The undefeated Escambia Gators are seeking their third state title and first appearance in the title game since 1999 after a 39-13 win over Lee (Jacksonville). KD Teamer had a monster night terrorizing the Generals with six tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery, and a safety to lead Escambia to its first semi-final in 20 years. The Gators will host Gaither (Tampa) Friday who had their way with Lake Minneola defeating them 41-7. Tony Bartolo helped build a running clock lead at halftime as the Cowboys cruised to victory.
5A
The best game of the weekend was the much-anticipated matchup between Miami Northwestern and American Heritage (Plantation). The Bulls would emerge from Plantation the victors 23-20 in what should be a matchup that we will continue to see for years to come with the new realignment. Miami commit Timothy Burns’s pick-six burned Heritage’s chances to come all the way back from a 23-7 hole. The Pats would battle back with quarterback Edwin Rhodes at the helm scoring two touchdowns from Oronde Gadsden Jr. and Carlson Joseph, but Heritage could not the defensive stops they needed late get to the semifinals.
The West will host Tampa Jesuit next week at Traz Powell Stadium and keep their hopes of a three-peat still alive. Jesuit comes to Miami as the four-seed taking out Lake Wales last week 53-21. The Tampa Tigers rushed for a total of 382 yards with 179 coming from Ricky Parks on 16 carries.
Ricky Parks Lake Wales Game Film
Jones (Orlando) and Wakulla (Crawfordville) will meet on the other side of the bracket as both teams handled their opponents of Vanguard (Ocala) and Godby (Tallahassee) easily in the regional final. Jones were 37-14 winners whihle Wakulla shut out Godby 28 zip.
4A
We just knew Miami Booker T. Washington and Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) was going to be must-see TV. Two high-powered offenses, solid defenses, passionate fan bases, this had all the makings of a classic and it did not disappoint. Booker. T. walked away from Bud Tight Field in Fort Lauderdale with a 31-21 win over Gibbons to make it to the state semis for the first time since 2016 when the Tornadoes lost to Cocoa 24-21. It was a back and forth battle with several lead changes but just as it has been all season, it was the Torey and Jacorey show. Torey Morrison hit Jacorey Brooks on a screen play and the junior receiver housed it for 54 yards with 3:21 left in the game.
Morrison completed 22 of 28 passes for 346 yards while Brooks had six receptions for 127 yards. A couple of missed field goals would prove to be costly for Gibbons as Booker T. would escape with a 31-21 victory.
Washington will travel to St. Pete to take on Lakewood next. The Spartans conquered Tampa Catholic 29-7 last week in their regional final. Booker T. Washington is seeking its 6th state title.
Just Like Old Times
On the other side of the bracket Bolles (Jacksonville) and Cocoa will meet for the first time since the state title game in 2016 which Cocoa won 31-17. Bolles is tied with St. Thomas Aquinas for the most state titles in the state with 10 apiece.
Status Quo In Smaller Classes
The favorites in Class 3A, 2A, and 1A got easy wins over the weekend but will likely be challenged in the state semifinal round this week.
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) hosts a familiar foe in Clearwater Central Catholic after dismantling Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 35-0 last Friday. Chaminade defeated CCC 49-3 and 16-0 the last two years in the 3A state semifinals. The Clearwater Marauders got by Bishop Verot 35-28 last week.
The Hialeah Lions are looking to make their fourth straight appearance in the 2A state title game and win their first title since 2017. Champagnat Catholic took care of business shutting out Moore Haven 42-0 last week and will host Seffner Christian Curtis Park Friday night. Seffner eliminated Admiral Farragut 40-19 in the regional final last week. Farragut challenged Champagnat last season in this round as the Lions snuck by with a 24-20 win.
The Madison County Cowboys are rolling once again and welcome Pahokee out of Palm Beach County to MC Friday in what hopes to be a good game. The Cowboys are going for the three-peat and have outscored their opponents in these playoffs 105-0.
Look out next week for a full 3A, 2A and 1A championship game preview.
Top Performers
Malachi Wideman, WR, Venice – Had 149 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over Manatee.
Malachi Wideman Manatee Game Film
Agiye Hall, WR, Armwood – The junior had three catches for 84 yards including two touchdown catches of 54 and 25 yards in the 23-10 win over Lakeland.
Agiye Hall Game Lakeland Game Film
Anthony Hankerson, RB, St. Thomas Aquinas – Hankerson rushed for 141 yards on 16 carries in the 26-0 win over Atlantic.
Tamarick Best, DL, Pahokee – Best had 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery in a 32-27 win over Chiefland.
Tamarick Best Chiefland Game Film
Games To Watch This Week
(All Game Times Eastern)
#3 Armwood (Seffner) Vs. #5 Edgewater (Orlando) Friday 7:30
#9 Columbus (Miami) Vs. #11 Deerfield Beach Friday 12:00
#1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. #15 Venice Friday 7:30
#2 Miami Northwestern Vs. #17 Tampa Jesuit Friday 7:30
#4 Miami Booker T. Washington At #12 Lakewood (St. Petersburg) Friday 7:30
#13 Miami Central At #20 Palmetto Friday 7:30
#19 Escambia (Pensacola) Vs. #14 Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30
#6 Jones (Orlando) Vs. #21 Wakulla (Crawfordville) Friday 7:30
#18 Cocoa At #23 Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30
#7 Chaminade-Madonna Vs. Clearwater Central Catholic Friday 7:30
#10 Apopka Vs. Steinbrenner (Lutz) Friday 7:30
#13 Madison County Vs. Pahokee Friday 7:30
#24 University Christian At Victory Christian (Lakeland) Friday 7:30
Top 25
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (7A) (12-0)
Last Week: Defeated Atlantic (Delray) 26-0
This Week: Vs. Venice Friday 7:30 PM
2. Miami Northwestern (5A) (11-2)
Last Week: Defeated American Heritage (Plantation) 23-20
This Week: Vs. Tampa Jesuit Friday 7:30
3. Armwood (Seffner) (7A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Lakeland 23-10
This Week: Vs. Edgewater (Orlando) Friday 7:30
4. Miami Booker T. Washington (4A) (11-2)
Last Week: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 31-21
This Week: At Lakewood (St. Petersburg) Friday 7:30
5. Edgewater (Orlando) (7A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Niceville 28-20
This Week: At Armwood (Seffner) Friday 7:30
6. Jones (Orlando) (5A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Vanguard (Ocala) 37-14
This Week: Vs. Wakulla (Crawfordville) Friday 7:30
7. Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) (3A) (10-2)
Last Week: Defeated Calvary Christian (Fort Lauderdale) 35-0
This Week: Vs. Clearwater Central Catholic Friday 7:30
8. Miami Central (6A) (10-3)
Last Week: Defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 35-0
This Week: At Palmetto Friday 7:30
9. Columbus (Miami) (8A) (9-4)
Last Week: Defeated Western (Davie) 36-21
This Week: Vs. Deerfield Beach Friday 12:00
10. Apopka (8A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Seminole (Sanford) 20-0
This Week: Vs. Steinbrenner (Lutz) Friday 7:30
11. Deerfield Beach (8A) (10-3)
Last Week: Defeated Vero Beach 35-7
This Week: At Columbus (Miami) Friday 12:00
12. Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (4A) (12-0)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Catholic 29-7
This Week: Vs. Miami Booker T. Washington Friday 7:30
13. Madison County (1A) (10-2)
Last Week: Defeated Union County 49-0
This Week: Vs. Pahokee Friday 7:30
14. Gaither (Tampa) (6A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Lake Minneola 41-7
Next Week: Vs. Escambia (Pensacola) Friday 7:30
15. Venice (7A) (8-4)
Last Week: Defeated Manatee (Bradenton) 34-17
This Week: At St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Friday 7:30
16. Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah) (2A) (8-3)
Last Week: Defeated Moore Haven 42-0
This Week: Vs. Seffner Christian Friday 7:30
17. Tampa Jesuit (5A) (11-2)
Last Week: Defeated Lake Wales 53-21
This Week: At Miami Northwestern Friday 7:30
18. Cocoa (4A) (8-3)
Last Week: Defeated South Sumter (Bushnell) 31-23
This Week: At Bolles (Jacksonville) Friday 7:30
19. Escambia (Pensacola) (6A) (13-0)
Last Week: Defeated Lee (Jacksonville) 39-13
This Week: Vs. Gaither (Tampa) Friday 7:30
20. Palmetto (6A) (12-1)
Last Week: Defeated Charlotte 62-15
This Week: Vs. Miami Central Friday 7:30
21. Florida State High (Tallahassee) (3A) (10-1)
Last Week: Defeated Pensacola Catholic 21-14
This Week: At Lakeland Christian Friday 7:30
22. Wakulla (Crawfordville) (5A) (13-0)
Last Week: Defeated Godby (Tallahassee) 28-0
This Week: At Jones (Orlando) Friday 7:30
23. Bolles (Jacksonville) (4A) (10-1)
Last Week: Defeated Bradford 16-6
This Week: Vs. Cocoa Friday 7:30
24. University Christian (Jacksonville) (2A)
Last Week: Defeated Bradford 16-6
This Week: At Victory Christian (Lakeland) Friday 7:30
25. Blountstown (1A) (12-0)
Last Week: Defeated Taylor County 27-21
This Week: Vs. Baker Friday 7:30
Rankings By Class Top Three
8A
Columbus (Miami)
Apopka
Deerfield Beach
7A
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale)
Armwood (Seffner)
Edgewater (Orlando)
6A
Miami Central
Gaither (Tampa)
Escambia (Pensacola)
5A
Miami Northwestern
Jones (Orlando)
Tampa Jesuit
4A
Miami Booker T. Washington
Lakewood (St. Petersburg)
Cocoa
3A
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood)
Florida State High (Tallahassee)
Clearwater Central Catholic
2A
Champagnat Catholic (Hialeah)
University Christian (Jacksonville)
Victory Christian (Lakeland)
1A
Madison County
Blountstown
Baker
Football Hotbed Florida High School First Round Playoff Rankings
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