Seffner, FL – It didn’t take long for the fireworks to start. Armwood and Gainesville both very capable of posting points in bunches and the Hawks started the party quickly when QB Darrian McNeal took a 61 yard run to the house at the 10:47 mark in the first quarter. Gainesville came back quickly when TE Jordan Giberti rumbled in for a 36 yard TD reception. Armwood 7 Gainesville 7 with 2:41 left in Q1.
It was the night that Darrian McNeal owned. He rushed for 3 of Armwood scores and threw another. His second was a 1 yard TD burst making the score Armwood 14 Gainesville 7 2Q 11:46. Armwood was heavily penalized this game. Erin Collins 60 yard run and Trevor Laurent 40 yard catch both called back due to Armwood fouls. In the second period at 5:22 mark Armwood blocked a Gainesville punt setting them up at the 30 yard line going in. Gainesville held the Hawks out the end zone and Armwood’s defense retrieved the ball back for their offense and that’s when McNeal hit Dennis Harris on a slant for a 50 yard TD. Armwood goes up 20-7. 2Q 1:26
The second half started slow until a Trevor Laurent 28 yard catch put the ball close to mid field. Erin Collins took a short pass for 20 yards putting the ball on the Gainesville 1. Brian Snead finished the job with a 1 yard TD run. That concluded an 89 yard drive by Armwood. Armwood 27 Gainesville 7 3Q 6:48. Then Mekhi Lapointe intercepted a Gainesville pass. Setting the Hawks up at the Gainesville 48. Armwood would do nothing with it. Gainesville’s offense took advantage when Caelan Christian hit Doc Luckie for a 50 yard touchdown pass. Armwood 27 Gainesville 14.
The third quarter would end not before Brian Snead ripped off a few big runs and McNeal finished the drive to the promise land for his third rushing TD of the night. Armwood 33 Gainesville 14
Trevor Laurent ended the game with a nasty block, then a nasty smoke screen for big yardage and Jerome Ford scored on a short run capping off the scoring drive. 4Q 9:35 Armwood 40 Gainesville 14. Gainesville scored late in the final period bringing the final score to Armwood 40 Gainesville 20.
Armwood will host Tate next Friday in the 6A state semi-finals.