Each week Gator Country will run a high school preview of games involving all of the current prospects verbally committed to Florida and a few of the Gators’ biggest targets. With the holidays approaching, the end of season is upon us with just a few state championship games to note.
Archbishop Wood (Pa.) vs. Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) Hershey – This is the state championship game for Pennsylvania and matches the 13-1 Archbishop Wood team that’s led by Florida tight end commit Colin Thompson. Archbishop Wood will take on a 13-2 Bishop McDevitt team led by Florida target Noah Spence. Thompson and his Archbishop teammates are averaging more than 42 points a game and are currently on a 13-game winning streak. Thompson and Spence should have some good battles as Thompson should draw the assignment of blocking Spence at his defensive end spot a lot throughout the game.
Armwood vs. Central (Saturday) – This is the Class 6A state championship and will be played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Armwood enters the game with a 14-0 record and is led by Florida running back pledge Matt Jones. Jones reinjured his ankle last week and how much game action he will see is unclear. Central enters the game with a 13-0 record and is riding a 27-game winning streak. This game pits an Armwood averaging more than 39 points per game against Central’s defense that is only allowing 15 points per game.
Miramar vs. Plant (Saturday) – The Class 8A championship also will be played in the Citrus Bowl. Miramar comes in with a 13-0 record and led by Florida cornerback target Tracy Howard. Plant comes in with a 13-1 record and has won six in a row. Miramar has a stingy defense that is only allowing 7.6 points per game. In addition to Howard, Miramar has 2013 linebacker target Jermaine Grace leading on defense. This should be a great matchup as Plant’s offense is averaging more than 37 points per game.
Miami Norland vs. Crawfordville Wakulla (Saturday) – Norland enters this state championship game with a 14-0 record. Wakulla enters the game with a 12-2 record and on a 10-game winning streak. Norland is led by Miami running back pledge Duke Johnson.