2A State Championship University Christian School vs Dade Christian Crusaders
Last year’s 2A final was a blow out of epic proportions as The Admiral Farragut Blue Jackets were over matched against North Florida Christian. This yeas r featured 2 teams on opposite sides of i-95 in Jacksonville University Christians and Dade Christian Crusaders. These teams come in with contrasting styles as University runs mostly Wing T and Dade is fast break wide open. These contrasting styles proved to make an interesting matchup which was more dominated by the defenses than the offenses.
The game started out with shock and awe as both offenses were on point. UC sustained a long drive sparked by SR running back Jeremiah Hamlin who broke off several big runs. The Crusaders were able to stop them deep into their territory though. Soon after taking over Dade Christian QB Gary Sampson fumbled after being sacked by Chase Moody and Hussein Howe scooped the ball up for 23 yard fumble return for a TD. Dade Christian answered with a field goal on the next drive after Duke Commit Terrance Alls made several big catches to get the Crusaders in field goal range. Dade Christian was able to return the fumbling favor later in the 1st as Adrian Sosa forced a fumble recovered by Vince Young at the UC 35. 2 plays later Dade Christian took the lead on a 25 yard touchdown pass to Alls.
The next 2 quarters would be a defensive stalemate as both teams made adjustments to alter the strengths of each other’s offenses until Hussein Howe got his 2nd touchdown but this time it was rushing the ball. Facing 3rd and long the phenom freshmen took a counter player around the corner breaking 3 tackles in the process then outraced the Crusader defense to the endzone. This would be a lead that the Fighting Christians would not relinquish as their power running game took over. The Crusaders did show signs of a possible come back only down 14-10 as they drove down the field with some savy running by QB Sampson. Unfortunately their passing game had been throttled and 3 incompletions at about midfield forced them to give the ball back to UC. Hamlin would ice the game on the 1st play going 83 yards for a touchdown. UC added another 5 yard touchdown run by Betros after a 4 down attempt failed by Dade Christian.
Early in the 1st quarter Dade Christian had a touchdown pass to Alls called back which would have put them up 17-6 and could have completely changed the dynamic of this game. Looking at this game through and through that play along with the scoop and score fumble return were the turning points of this game.
Final University 28 Dade Christian 10