It may have been labeled as the “Road to Orlando” by the FHSAA, but for some it ended up being a road less traveled to nowhere. For others, it was like being in the brand new Maserati Granturismo S (Limited Edition of course) on the Autobahn. Congratulations to the teams that arrived on Friday and Saturday as contenders and departed as champions. An equal congratulations to the squads that made it to the mountaintop, but simply couldn’t keep their footing and must experience the journey back up next season. The 5A-8A finals matchups have been set thus signaling the last official week of high school football. Bummer. I was just getting started.

Your 1A State Champions, the Jefferson County Tigers…

“Chipley meet the Footman Brothers. Footman’s meet the Chipley Tigers. Alphonso you can come with me. Where would you like to play next year? Anywhere? Cool.” – most if not all folks not affiliated with either school and college recruiters. This of course is a fictional note, but if I was to describe the 1A Final in a nutshell there you have it. The Jefferson County Tigers from Monticello used a Dexter McCluster clone a la his Largo days to strut their way to a 47-13 victory. With JeffCo’s Class of ’67 Jack Youngblood looking on it was a game molded after his own heart as they pummeled Chipley with a physical running game and suffocating pass defense. Alphonso Footman finished with 2 TD’s and over 120 yards rushing on 19 carries. The senior is getting looks from most of the FCS schools in the state.

Your 2A State Champions, the North Florida Chrisitan Eagles…

Could have called ballgame about 10 minutes (in real time) from the opening kickoff. No two ways to look at it. Admiral Faargut was the quintessential deer-in-the-headlights and that included everyone from top to bottom. Can’t sugarcoat a 69-0 loss on live television throughout the State of Florida. In the same breath though, you can’t call out Farragut for being anything other than one of the most talented teams in the state at their level. Just goes to show the gap that exists though between the haves and the have-nots in the 2A Classification. Their building something over in South Pinellas though folks. It’s also a school that will make sure your young men become young men and not candidates for an appearance on Orient Rd. Bigger picture. Brighter future. Not the last you’ve seen of the Blue Jackets.

Your 3A State Champions, the American Heritage Stallions…

Two things you need to know about Heritage’s 30-3 victory over Madison County. First, the American Heritage Stallions are built to play with any team at any level in the classifications. Second, Greg Bryant is a manchild. AH was consumed with the mentality of “anything you can do, we can do better.” The simply lined Bryant up behind QB Marcus Davis and told the Junior juggernaut  to go to work. I counted only one time that the RB wasn’t able to shed at least the 1st 2 would-be MadCo tacklers. Bryant’s work rate and physical style also was a mirror image of Devonta Freeman’s performance vs. Dr. Phillips in the 6A Final last season. Suffice it to say he’s the clubhouse leader for #1 RB in Florida and will be on everyone’s Top 5 list for Top RB in the country. No hyperbole here either. Should have seen the man-crushes he caused from the recruitniks.

Your 4A State Champions, The Bolles Bulldogs…

I still have yet to fully understand what happened (aside from the obvious) in the finale of the weekend while staring at the picture of the scoreboard that read Bolles 33 Booker T. Washington 25. Imagine if a team from Dade County could be EXPECTED to play a disciplined, well-executed and schematically sound game? Imagine if Booker T. had stuck to their philosophy of spreading out the Bolles Defense?

You could also imagine that if pigs were to fly or that world peace were to be achieved that the apocalypse is certain. Let me clarify. I’m talking about Dade County public schools actually. I have seen an infinite amount of talent and size from Miami lose over the years to teams they have no business losing to because? When you get to this point in the season (especially aginst Bolles) you can’t just throw your jock onto the field. You also can’t depend on your youngin’s to play with poise if you’re not willing to prepare them for every situation. Doesn’t matter if you’re “better”. You got served. Corky Rogers surpasses St. Thomas Aquinas legend George Smith for all-time playoff wins with what he called his “least talented squad he’s ever brought” to Orlando.

And to think he only graduates 14 off that roster with less than half of those being starters…..Booker T only graduates 12. Get used to this matchup for the next 2 years in Orlando if both teams stay the course.

 

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend…

(5A)

Wakulla needed 3 OT’s to beat Pasco in a game that appeared (on Twitter from those in attendance) to be a circus. Too bad the biggest clowns were the officials and the citizens of Crawfordville. Tried to warn some of you that they would do whatever was necessary to NOT make Pasco feel at home. Didn’t think it would go that far, but I can certainly say I’m not surprised in the least. The Pirates were game and showed their worth, but it wasn’t meant to be.

This just in. Duke Johnson has just rushed for another 40 yards. I can’t confirm where or who it was against, but wherever he’s at RIGHT NOW I’m sure he’s running past them. The Duke of Dade County put the Vikings on his back going for 377 yards in what had to be the 2nd most entertaining game in the entire state. It’s tough to predict that a player is going to rush for damn near 400 yards, but that was the case. Dude is the prep equivalent to Bo Jackson on Tecmo Bowl.

Friday, December 16th 1:00pm

Wakulla (12-2) vs. Norland (14-0)

 

 

 

 

(6A)

The boys from Mainland gave Central all of the stress they could handle, but the Rockets won by a 17-7 margin for the 2nd week in a row using their defense and RB Joe Yearby to make it back to Orlando. Central are the defending 6A Champions (now 8A) yet will be playing for a ring in the newly-minted 6A classification. Armwood survived Nathan Peterman and the pass happy Bears of Bartram Trail in a shootout. Defense can win championships even if it gives up 30+ points. It just has to make ONE more play and that’s what the Hawks did. Sean Callahan makes his 5th appearance in the finals since 2003.

Saturday, December 17th 1:00pm

Miami Central (14-0) vs. Armwood (14-0)

 

 

 

 

(7A)

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Lakeland got bounced from the State Semis losing 24-14 to First Coast who now carry the entire weight of Duval County on their backs. The Bucs did it with defense extinguishing the hopes of Coach Castle and the “Naughts Faithful of making it to Orlando. Manatee and another legend Coach Kinnan were much happier as they held off Dwyer 19-14 in a rather strange contest to be honest. Things might have been slightly different had a penalty flag not been thrown ( for holding of all things) even AFTER the Dwyer TD celebration had begun. The score would have propelled the Panthers who have to feel snake-bitten on their travels north having lost by a single point to Armwood last year and now in the waning seconds to the ‘Canes this season.

Friday, December 16th 7:00pm

First Coast (13-0) vs. Manatee (11-3)

 

 

 

 

(8A)

It wasn’t pretty, but the Miramar Patriots managed to make it back to the scene of their crime against DeLand in 2009 with a 14-6 slobberknocker over Columbus. The Patriots were plagued by inconsistency on offense and turnovers, but the Explorers Defense deserves just as much of the credit on their end as do the Patriots for persevering. If you want to talk about things staying the same while change abounds, look no further than Head Coach Robert Weiner making his 5th State Title appearance as well. It’s the Panthers chance at a 4th ring in a 4th different classification since 2004. Plant was able to grind out Fletcher 26-7 to secure their spot at the Citrus Bowl and represent the 8A North bracket.

Saturday, December 17th 7:00pm

Miramar (13-0) vs. Plant (13-1)

 

 

 

 

Brutality at it’s finest…

Might have been better off letting Helen Keller make the picks for me last week I suppose…

Week: 6-6 (136-44 overall)

1A-4A:  1-3 (47-13 final record)

5A-8A: 5-3 (89-31 overall)

By classification:

1A: 1-0 (11-4 final record)

2A: 0-1 (13-2 final record)

3A: 0-1 (10-5 final record)

4A: 0-1 (13-2 final record)

5A: 1-1 (21-9 overall)

6A: 1-1 (21-9 overall)

7A: 1-1 (23-7 overall)

8A: 2-0 (24-6 overall)