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Tallahassee, FL — In the history of the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game, no two central Florida schools had ever met in the title game until Saturday afternoon at the home stadium of the Florida State Seminoles. Seminole (Sanford) defeated Osceola Kissimmee 38-10 to become state champions for the second time in school history. Seminole completes season undefeated at 12-0.
Timmy McClain, a University of South Florida signee and four-year starter, completed 9 of 15 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. McClain also gained 27 yards on the ground and scored a rushing touchdown.
The Noles got off to a great start when senior Keiyon Holloway put his team in excellent field position on the opening kickoff returning the football 51 yards. The Seminoles would settle for a field goal but would get a touchdown from their defense to extend the lead in the first quarter. Senior Johnny Harris would jump in front of an Osceola pass and return the football 89 yards for a touchdown to make it a 9-0 game (Two-point conversion failed).
An 89-yard pick six by Johnny Harris helps @SSNolesFootball go up 9-0 over Osceola Kissimmee in the first quarter in the 8A state championship game. pic.twitter.com/vhYSyUcXKs
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 19, 2020
A 72-yard catch and run by Jahfari Frederick in the middle of the second quarter set up the first touchdown from the offense for Seminole. McClain would keep the football on a QB run and maneuver his way into the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. McClain would pass to his fellow USF signee Jimmy Horn to convert on the two-point conversion to give Seminole a 17-3 lead.
Osceola would strike right back with an offensive score of their own. Junior quarterback Chad Mascoe, one of the top Florida pro-style quarterbacks in his class, lofted the football to sophomore Izaiah Jean-Baptiste for a 29-yard touchdown to trim the Seminole lead to a touchdown margin.
The two USF signees would connect right before the half again with 21 seconds left. McClain dropped back and stepped up in the pocket and found Horn for a 29-yard score. The Seminoles would take a 24-10 lead into halftime at Doak Cambell Stadium.
.@USFFootball signees Timmy McClain and Jimmy Horn connect here for a 29-yard touchdown right before the half in the @FHSAA 8A state title game. pic.twitter.com/DJUfQue8Mv
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 19, 2020
In the second half, the running game would get going for the Seminoles. Junior running back Donta Whack ripped his longest run of the season with a 64-yard touchdown.
Junior running back Donte Whack bolts down the field for 64-yard touchdown. Seminole @SSNolesFootball lead Osceola Kissimmee 31-10 in the fourth quarter of the 8A state championship game. pic.twitter.com/8VkrZme1GJ
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) December 19, 2020
Sophomore Rory Thomas would break free for a 69-yard touchdown as well but he would be brought down at the one-yard line. Andrew McClain the backup quarterback and younger brother of Timmy punched it in for the touchdown to finish the drive.
The defense of the Noles also ramped up in the second half shutting down any threat of a comeback. Donte Booker recorded the second interception for Seminole in the third quarter while Cameron Moore and Zion Alce had two sacks each.
Seminole won their first state championship since 2008.
