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Jesuit Scores 21 Unanswered To Win 6A State Championship

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Fort Lauderdale, FL — Tampa Jesuit beat St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), the 2020 GEICO Bowl Championship Series National Champions back in September, this put the entire state on notice.  The Tigers gained national attention and are currently the 10th ranked team according to MaxPreps (highest ranking among Florida teams).  Jesuit needed to cap its season with a state championship win to make the argument for best in the state.

The argument can be made, but Jesuit had to fight to get it.  

The 6A state championship game with Pine Forest (Pensacola) came down to the final moments.  

The build-up to that moment was thrilling for all witnessing arguably the best championship game of all the eight classes. 

With 3:23 left in the game, down 29-27, Jesuit had a chance to win its first state championship since 1968.  Sophomore Luke Knight passed to wideout Jaydn Girard who would speed down the sideline 78 yards to the 12-yard line.  Three plays later, Knight would fake the run to his left and rolled to his right to find Girard in the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.  

The Tigers pulled off the victory and the undefeated season stayed intact.  Tampa Jesuit (15-0) defeated Pine Forest 12-2) 35-29 to win the 6A state championship completing the only unblemished season of all the state championship-winning teams. 

It was over when…

Wilson’s pass attempt with 37 seconds left, went into the arms of senior linebacker AJ Cottrill.  

Game Story

The start of the game had all the makings of a blowout win for Jesuit.  The Tigers started fast and scored in three plays.  Joquez Smith rushed up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown to put Jesuit in front.  

Pine Forest would punt the football with its first drive and Jesuit’s Junior Vandeross returned it 36 yards to the Forest 21-yard line.  The drive would come to an abrupt halt when Tyese Thomas caught an interception and returned it 39 yards into Tiger territory.  The Eagles would take advantage of the turnover and score on a Tierra Wilson 4-yard rush.  

In the second quarter, Smith would add another touchdown to help the Tigers re-take the lead, but Pine Forest would strike back. 

Wilson would execute a 14-play 75-yard drive converting two fourth downs along the way.  The junior scrambled around on a 3rd and 8 from the Jesuit 25-yard line and found Donielle Hayes for a touchdown in the corner of the end zone.  Wilson would complete the drive with a rush up the middle for the two-point conversion.

The Eagles took a surprising 15-14 lead into halftime.  

The second half would get a little crazy.  

Wilson continued to batter the Jesuit defense with runs up the middle and scored again with a 14-yarder extending the Eagle lead to eight points. 

DeOntrez McLamb intercepted Knight on Jesuit’s next possession and Thomas got his second pick on the following possession.  Forest would turn the last interception into points on the next play as Miequle Brock busted loose for a 14-yard touchdown.  The Tigers were down 29-14 with under two minutes left in the third quarter.  

Jesuit’s comeback would start with Knight throwing a gorgeous deep ball to Vandeross for a 50-yard touchdown.  

In the fourth quarter, Knight connected with Vandeross for a 28-yard touchdown. The senior made several nifty moves to find his way to the end zone to help the Tigers get within two on the scoreboard. 

On the ensuing kickoff, the junior wide receiver Hayes found an opening and nearly scored going down the sideline.  Pine Forest started its drive at the five-yard line, but four straight runs would turn the ball over on downs back to Jesuit.  

The Eagles would get another chance.  Thomas would pick-off Knight for the third time in the game, setting up Pine Forest for another opportunity to put the game away at the Jesuit 23-yard line.  The Jesuit defense would come up big again as Wilson’s attempt at a pop pass over the middle would fall into the arms of senior Hayes Greep.  

Big Time Players

Tierra Wilson, Quarterback, Pine Forest – An absolute powerhouse in this game. The (6-3, 215) junior rushed 33 times for 167 yards scoring two rushing touchdowns.  The 2023 signal-caller completed six of his 19 passes for 81 yards and touchdown.  

Donielle Hayes, Wide Receiver, Pine Forest – The junior had 190 all-purpose yards. The 2023 talent had four receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Joquez Smith, Running Back, Jesuit – The junior rushed for 93 yards on 16 carries scoring two touchdowns. 

Junior Vandeross, Wide Receiver, Jesuit – The 2022 prospect had six catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns.  

Jaydn Girard, Wide Receiver, Jesuit – The senior had six receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Tyrese Thomas, Defensive Back, Pine Forest – The junior had three interceptions and three tackles.

Deontrez McLamb, Defensive Back, Pine Forest – The senior had three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. 

Wade Woodaz, Safety, Jesuit – The 2022 talent had nine tackles and a tackle for loss

AJ Cottrill, Linebacker, Jesuit – The senior had seven tackles and an interception.

With the win, the Jesuit won its second state championship in school history.  This was the school’s first appearance in the state final since 1992.

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Photos: 8A State Championship, Apopka Vs. Venice Previous post

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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