This was the most entertaining game of all the 2012 state championship games. Who needs defense when your offense is scoring at will. I guess you might need some defense!
Best player on the field
Running back Matt Dayes for Cypress Bay was literally unstoppable and the most talented player on the field. Heading into the fourth quarter, Dayes carried the ball 18 times for 159 yards and 3 TDs. He toyed with the Apopka defense and he was an offensive show. Dayes vision and balance was a thing of beauty. Ended the game with 22 carries 170 yards and 4TD rushing. Averaged 7.7 yards per carry and added 2 catches for 36 yards.
The QB Play
Both signal callers were very crisp. Cypress Bay’s Jaranta Lewis was so smooth with his play action ball fakes and ball handling as a whole all night. Several times he created space and plays just by carring out his fakes. It was obvious the Cypress Bay offensive coordinator was very attentive to the reaction of the defense to the ball fakes by the Lewis. Final stats: 12 of 19 for 244 yards, 3 TDS 1 INT, 87 rush yards on 16 carries.
I’m sure Tampa Bay high school football fans have never heard of Apopka QB, Zack Darlington. Tonight you have and for good reason. The execution by Darlington tonight was the best in the past two weekends. Inside zone and outside zone reads…flawless! Speed option and veer reads…flawless! Ball placement and playaction passes were flawless! Final stats: 13of 21 for 254 yards passing, 2TDs, 15 rushes for 125 yards and 1TD
Who?
Alex Montgomery, Cypress Bay 2013 WR: How to describe his title game performance? One word, “Ballerific”! Made two big 1 handed catches in the corner of the endzone that would be nominations for #SCTOP10. After the second big catch, every college coach in attendance was out of their seat reacting to the play. We need to go find film on 6-2/205 senior WR because he killed on the biggest stage in front of 8k plus in the stands. 9 rec for 199 yards and 3 TDs
Role players who played a KEY role
Trey Hendrickson, Apopka 2013 TE
3 carries 50 yards, 1 catch for 42 yards, 1 sack and 2 QB hurries
Chandler Cox, Apopka 2015 RB
6 caries 54 yards, 3 TDs and 1 catch for 18 yards
Who won?
Apopka defeated Cypress Bay 53-50 This was the most exciting game in a long time. Several big plays made by playmakers and unheard of players. The game pretty much ended on a INT in the endzone on 3rd and 10 at the 18 yard line as Cypress Bay was trying to score. The craziest of plays defined the game. No turnovers by either team all night. Cypress Bay QB avoids a sack, gets flushed out to his right, throws the ball on the run. It gets tipped, bounces off of a players and Apopka DB, Rakeem Smith scooped up the ball before it hit the ground. A game with little defense, ended on a defensive play.
TOTAL OFFENSIVE YARDS
Cypress Bay – 519
Apopka – 584