And then there were four…
The final four for each class are set, and we have some captivating matchups to look at going into the weekend.
Of the final top 10 teams released just before the playoffs, the top 8 remain as Seminole (Sanford) and Gulliver (Miami) were eliminated last week. So let’s start there.
Chiefs Battle Back
Gulliver’s season ended in heartbreaking fashion losing in the 4A regional final 36-33 to Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) at Tropical Park. Dylan Rizk’s late winner would prove to be the game-winning score.
.@dylanrizk11 helps @FootballGibbons take the lead for the first time since the first quarter with this touchdown run.
Gibbons leads Gulliver 36-33 with 1:16 left in the game. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/ynbFRUsyIX
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) November 27, 2021
Lakewood (St. Petersburg) (10-2) At Cardinal Gibbons (9-2)
Friday 7:30
The last time Lakewood made the trip to South Florida, they were handled easily by 3A state title favorite Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 37-6 in October. Gibbons has a similar defensive front that dominates the line of scrimmage just like the Lions did in that regular-season game.
Junior quarterback Anthony Colandrea will need a Herculean effort to fend off the likes of Mason Thomas, Ahmad Moten, and Coastal Carolina commit Tray Brown, all of whom made their presence felt in last week’s regional final.
Alabama commit Amari Niblack of Lakewood is a big target (6-4,220) and a mismatch against most defenders.
If the Spartans can control the running game of Rizk and Kamari Moulton, and force Gibbons to throw more than they would like, Lakewood could have a chance.
Apopka Wins OT Classic
In Sanford, Seminole and Apopka played in an overtime thriller in 8A. UCF commit Ja’Cari Henderson “Mossed” a defender in the corner of the end zone, but a missed extra point in OT would be the difference as the Blue Darters would advance with a 28-27 win. Junior two-way player Zeldrick Roberts scored the game-tying touchdown in overtime and the extra point would clinch the 8A regional final game.
Video courtesy of Bally Sports
Apopka (11-2) At Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) (10-1)
Friday 7:30
Apopka now travels to Port St. Lucie to take on Treasure Coast (the number 8 team in the final regular-season rankings) in an 8A state semifinal. Both teams run very similar types of offenses with a number of misdirection runs, but the difference may be in the passing game.
Andrew McClain leads Apopka at quarterback, but the defense has plenty of players that can go from sideline to sideline. Seniors Nikai Martinez (UCF commit), Kavion Nichols, Travion Barnes, and Josiah Robinson (Coastal Carolina commit) will have their work cut out for them against the Titans.
Let’s be honest, this game will be all about the running game with Roberts and senior Quincy Frazier. On the flip side, seniors Eden James (son of Hall of famer Edgerrin James and Howard commit) and Cephus Roberts Jr. power the most feared running game in the state.
Treasure Coast averages 44 points a game in these playoffs and the running game is a big reason why.
If Treasure Coast wins it will be looking to win its first state championship in school history. Apopka will be aiming for its fourth title ever.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Miami Northwestern (10-3) At Tampa Jesuit (13-0)
Friday 7:30
This Miami Northwestern team feels like the Bulls of 2018 where the 10-5 Bulls reeled off seven straight victories and won its second of three straight state titles. The Bulls were somewhat underwhelming that regular season but the switch flipped during the playoffs.
Matchup To Watch
Bulls Offense Vs. Tigers Defense
That switch seems to be flipped again as ‘The West’ have arguably the most explosive offense in the 6A playoffs averaging 59 points a game. Junior quarterback Taron “Tyga” Dickens has been on fire in these playoffs. In three playoff games, Dickens has thrown for 19 touchdown passes (7, 6, 6).
Running back Jamari Ford caught two touchdown passes last week in a dominating 57-14 win over Plantation while Andy Jean had three catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The Tampa Jesuit defense however will be up for the task to stop ‘The West.’ The undefeated Tigers ranked number one in the Hotbed Final Regular Season Rankings and are tough to score on. Jesuit recorded seven shutouts this season including five in a row.
Junior linebacker Troy Bowles leads this vaunted defense along with Wade Woodaz (Clemson commit) at safety and middle linebacker AJ Cottrill. Sophomore Peter Pesansky is a legitimate threat on the edge and two-way senior Michael Leonardo is a threat on the edge and also as a tight end down the seam.
The Tigers do not have any significant flaws overall and that balance on both sides of the football could be the reason Jesuit wins this game and its second state championship since 1968. History says, however, never bet against Dade County.
Miami Columbus (9-3) At Venice (12-1)
Friday 7:30
Speaking of the county of Dade, another team will travel to the west coast of Florida as the Columbus Explorers travel to battle the Venice Indians in the other 8A state semifinal.
Besides losing to Cardinal Gibbons on a Saturday afternoon in October 28-22, the Indians have been relatively flawless this season. Yes, they pulled off a one-point victory over Cocoa this season, but great teams find a way to win. Since the loss to Gibbons, Venice has outscored its opponents 261-42.
Quarterback Ryan Browne, running back Damarion Escort (Murray State commit), and Omari Hayes are one the best senior trios in the state, but the Indians have a number of other playmakers that can take it to the house.
On defense, George Philip and Damon Wilson are two monsters coming off the edge that would cause nightmares for any quarterback.
Columbus comes into this game on an 8-game winning streak and have turned things around since its loss to Miami Palmetto back in September. Navy commit Denim “Quick 6” Edward has deceptive speed at running back finds his way to get big chunks of yards.
With 7:35 remaining in the game @denim_edwards breaks free. @ColumbusFtball lead NMB 21-7. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/4VwSgsYuJT
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) May 28, 2021
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza (Yale Commit) has all of the tools to engineer his team to the state title game, but will need to depend on his defense led by TJ Capers to pull out a victory.
Other Games To Watch (All Games Friday)
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) Vs. Bucholz (Gainesville) (7A)
7:30 PM
Cocoa (10-1) Vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) (8-2) (4A)
7:30 PM
Chaminade-Madonna (9-1) Vs. Florida State High (Tallahassee) (11-1) (3A)
7:00 PM
Tampa Bay Tech (13-0) Vs. Lake Gibson (9-3) (7A)
7:30 PM
Champagnat (9-2) At First Baptist Academy (Naples) (10-1) (2A)
Friday 7:30 PM
Madison County (9-3) At Chiefland (11-1) (1A)
Friday 7:30 PM
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