2A State Championship: Cambridge Christian Lancers (12-0) vs. University Christian Fightin’ Christians (10-3)
Friday – December 4, 2015 – Orlando Citrus Bowl (1:07 kickoff)
TV – Bright House Sports Networks (Channel 1147)
Series History:
First ever meeting between the two schools
Head Coaches:
Cambridge Christian – Bob Dare (Northeastern Bible College ’78) -7th season at CCS (46-26 overall) -28th season coaching (165-119 record)
University Christian – David Penland III (Georgetown College ’07) -1st season at University Christian (10-3) -5th season overall (48-15 record)
The quick slant:
-University Christian is seeking their eighth state championship as a program.
-UC scored 60+ points four times this season.
-UC’s Head Coach David Penland III is coaching at his Alma Mater–he is a 2003 Graduate of University Christian.
-Cambridge Christian is in the postseason for the first time ever as a program and in the state finals on their maiden voyage.
-Cambridge Christian is averaging 200+ yards rushing per game–UC has surrendered 0 net yards for the postseason including holding Victory Christian to (-88) yards rushing last week.
-Cambridge sophomore DE/OT Richard Gouraige was named a Freshman All-American last season.
-Sophomore RB Andrew Cunningham holds an offer from Middle Tennessee State University already.
Probable Starters – Cambridge Christian
OFFENSE:
TE Zach Stein 6-2/175 Jr.
LT Richard Gouraige 6-5/255 So.
LG Riley Wood 5-11/230 Jr.
C TJ Layman 6-5/240 Sr.
RG Noah Day 5-11/240 Jr.
RT Will Singleton 5-11/265 Jr.
RB Andrew Cunningham 6-0/195 So.
QB Jaylin Jackson 5-10/160 So.
WR Caleb Young 5-11/170 So.
WR Zach Froelich 5-10/155 Jr.
WR J’Kobi Reddick 5-9/170 Jr.
DEFENSE:
DE Richard Gouraige 6-5/255 So.
DT Noah Day 5-11/240 Jr.
DT Will Singleton 5-11/265 Jr.
DE Matt McNichols 5-10/170 Sr.
LB Aaron Pierre 6-1/190 Jr.
LB Scott Ater 6-0/180 So.
LB Aaron Racki 5-9/150 So.
LB Zach Stein 6-2/175 Jr.
DB J’Kobi Reddick 5-9/170 Jr.
DB Derrick Powell 5-10/155 So.
S Caleb Young 5-11/170 So.
Probable Starters – University Christian
OFFENSE: Shotgun Wing-T
TE Connor Johnson 6-1/235 Jr.
LT Aaron Henry 6-4/270 Sr.
LG Alex Wilcox 6-0/265 Jr.
C Nick Robertson 6-1/275 So.
RG Andrew Wilcox 6-0/265 Jr.
RT Tysheem Myers 6-1/270 Sr.
WB DJ Stubbs 5-11/180 Jr.
QB Clay Boyd 6-0/175 So.
HB Otis Anderson 5-10/180 Jr.
FB Hussein Howe 5-11/195 Sr.
FL Suan Paul Nobles 5-11/180 Sr.
DEFENSE: 4-4
LE Jonathan Smalls 6-3/250 Sr.
LT MJ Marshall 5-11/215 Sr.
RT Demarius Bates 6-3/300 So.
RE Ryan Brooks 6-2/215 Sr.
LB Titus Curry 6-1/230 Jr.
LB Tyre Curry 6-1/235 Sr.
LB Rachaun Mitchell 5-11/190 Sr.
LB Hussein Howe 5-11/195 Sr.
DB Suan Paul Nobles 5-11/190 Sr.
DB Otis Anderson 5-10/180 Jr.
S DJ Stubbs 5-11/180 Jr.
How they got here: Cambridge Christian (12-0)
W, Landmark Christian 77-0
W, Shorecrest Prep 41-10
W, Out-of-Door Academy 59-0
W, Evangelical Christian 56-0
W, Seffner Christian, 59-13
W, John Paul II Catholic 54-19
W, Berean Christian 42-6
W, Bradenton Christian 49-18
W, Carrollwood Day School 21-12
W, Northside Christian 19-14
W, Admiral Farragut 36-32
W, Naples First Baptist 30-26
How they got here: University Christian (10-3)
W, Providence 37-0
W, Arlington Country Day 75-0
L, Trinity Christian Academy 35-20
W, Fort White 35-13
W, Harvest Community 61-0
W, Eagle’s View Christian 76-0
W, Cedar Creek Christian 61-18
L, Brentwood Academy (TN) 53-6
L, Dixie County 37-36
W, Duval Charter 52-14
W, Tallahassee-Maclay 59-6
W, North Florida Christian 38-30
W, Victory Christian 31-0
Cambridge Christian win IF:
They run the ball effectively and their defense steals some of the bullies’ lunch money. Throw haymakers and throw them often. Own the line of scrimmage and forget about the name that’s on the jersey across from them. They must score on their first drives to give them that “extra” boost. Basically nobody outside of this area is giving the Lancers a chance–which should be enough motivation in-and-of-itself (see final quote)
University Christian wins IF:
They force Cambridge into consecutive drives and score points on their ensuing offensive drives in the first quarter–this is where the “experience” on their roster will come into play. Jump to an early lead and they’re likely to run and hide. They must neutralize Gouraige coming off the edge along with swarming Andrew Cunningham–force Jaylin Jackson to beat them with his arm.
They said it best: Cambridge Christian Head Coach, Bob Dare
“My first year at Cambridge, we had about 20 players and we tried to basically survive and build the program–the first few years we were 4-6 and then the next three years 6-4 just trying to compete. The last year we were 8-2 and just missed the playoffs. We graduated 13 seniors from that team which was the building blocks for this year–and this season we’ve got a pretty good nucleus of sophomores that were there to experience that 8-2 season and learned how to develop into leadership roles as players and off the field.”
Bob Dare on the Lancers’ postseason grind after cruising in the regular season:
“I’ve been so impressed with the tenacity and the resiliency that this team has gone though–each of these playoff games we knew they would be really tough. I really had no idea how they would respond because in the regular season most of them didn’t play in the second–they hadn’t played a full game, so just getting through our last district game with Carrollwood Day and then the playoffs they’ve really had to compete at a higher level.”
They said it best: University Christian Head Coach, David Penland III
“We’re looking forward to being in Orlando on Friday and playing for our eighth state championship—our guys are excited.”
Penland on his memories of UC’s glory days during the 80’s/90’s:
I grew up around this program and watching guys like Robbie (Pruitt) and Coach Davis win titles and I was actually the water boy for many of those teams as a kid.”
The last word:
“Our toughest game of the season was probably against University Christian. That’s a really REALLY good team. I expect them to roll down there this Friday.” -Trinity Christian Head Coach Verlon Dorminey