Four teams in four classes will be seeking championship berths tonight as the Florida High School Athletic Association state football playoffs continue with state semifinal games in Classes 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A.
Most of the eight contests being played should be very competitive, including two in Class 5A that could set up one of the top high school football games a week from tonight in the Class 5A championship game in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. The northern semifinal features two unbeaten teams – Pine Forest (Pensacola) (12-0) at Lakeland (13-0). The southern semifinal has Largo (12-1) visiting Fort Lauderdale to play the nation’s No. 1 team, St. Thomas Aquinas (13-0).
The two winners will meet on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. The 3A state title game will be played earlier at 1 p.m. Then on Saturday, Dec. 20 the state champions will be decided in Class 4A (1 p.m.) and Class 6A (7 p.m.).
As was detailed in a story Thursday, two state championships will be decided today at the Citrus Bowl. The 1B title game features Warner Christian (South Daytona) (12-1) playing Jupiter Christian (13-0) at 1 p.m. The 1A title game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., has North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) (9-2) meeting Fort Meade (12-1). The Class 2B and 2A state title games will be decided on Saturday.
A look at tonight’s semifinals in Classes 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A with my predictions:
CLASS 6A
Orlando Boone (11-2) at Sanford Seminole (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
Seminole has put together one of the most successful seasons in Seminole County in recent memory. After a rough start to the season (Seminole stood 2-2 after 4 games), Seminole has reeled off nine straight victories, with only one of them being closer than 21 points – a 30-13 victory over Spruce Creek in the regional semifinals two weeks ago.
Seminole is led by “Seminole Trio” of quarterback/defensive back Ray Ray Armstrong, wide receiver Andre DeBose and tight end/defensive end Dyron Dye. Armstrong has thrown for over 1,000 yards on the season, most of them to DeBose, who now has over 2,000 all-purpose yards (passing, rushing, receiving and returns). He has been simply dominant in the playoffs with over 600 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns through three games.
However, there are a number of playmakers on both sides of the ball in addition to the “Seminole Trio.” Junior Toby Durham has proven to be a good punt returner and a solid No. 2 option on offense to DeBose. Serderious Bryant is a young player to keep an eye on. Despite being undersized (5-9, 190), he is an absolute force at linebacker and has recorded five quarterback sacks on the season. Senior Jarkevis Fields plays alongside Bryant and has done a great job in the middle against the run. Defensive end Charles Thacker, the younger brother of Florida State defensive tackle Budd Thacker, plays opposite Dye and has given Seminole a great pair of bookends along the line.
Boone, meanwhile, has been led by the great play of senior running James Washington (committed to North Carolina State) who rushed for 1,597 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season. Boone also got some strong quarterback play from Sam Hutsill over the course of the season as he threw for 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hutsill was the bellcow last Friday in Boone’s 31-6 victory over Royal Palm Beach, passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns.
While the play of the offense has been very good, Boone’s play on defense was superb for a majority of the season. However, Boone faltered late in the year with losses to Orlando-area rivals Dr. Phillips and Edgewater to end the regular season. The Braves defense gave up more points in those two games (63) than they had in the previous eight (43). However, the defense has returned with a vengeance in the playoffs, holding a pair of explosive offenses in Dr. Phillips and Royal Palm Beach to a combined 13 points in the past two weeks.
While the collective talent in the game is tremendous, it’s hard to go against the dynamic playmaking ability of Seminole and DeBose despite the great defensive play from Boone for a majority of the season. Prediction: Seminole (Sanford) 27, Boone (Orlando) 13.
Northwestern (Miami) (12-1) vs. Miramar (11-2) at Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m.
Northwestern has been led by talented sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who some believe may be more talented than his predecessor, Jacory Harris. Bridgewater has thrown for 1,253 yards and 13 touchdowns after taking over for wide receiver Wayne Times in the latter part of the season.
Daquan Hargrett has rushed for 15 touchdowns and 972 yards on 103 carries (9.3 yards per carry) to lead the charge on the ground. Times has accumulated 428 yards receiving and five touchdowns, two yards and two touchdowns more than Michaelee Harris. The Bulls have rebounded well after falling against Miami Central earlier this season, a loss that ended their 37-game winning streak. Northwestern would avenge that defeat in the second round of the playoffs. Another player to watch is Class of 2010 recruit Corvin Lamb, who is high on Florida’s list.
Miramar is equally talented with South Florida’s leading passer in Eugene Smith, leading receiver in Stedman Bailey and one of the most talented underclass skilled prospects in Ivan McCartney. While Miramar is home to one of the state’s most dynamic passing games, the defense has been a bit week this year, giving up 268 points. This has caused the Patriots to play in a number of nail-biting games despite the great play of Smith & Co.
For a “rebuilding season,” Northwestern had a pretty good year. It started with a horrible loss in the spring to North Miami Beach, followed by a blowout loss to Long Beach (Calif.) Poly in its preseason classic and then the Bulls saw their undefeated streak ended by Miami Central. The Bulls rebounded, however. After finding their quarterback of the future in Bridgewater, the trials and tribulations of the season are now, well, water under the bridge. Northwestern is too talented on both sides of the line, and Miramar has been getting by on smoke and mirrors all year long. The Patriots own one of the best passing games in the state, but the lack of solid, consistent defensive play will finally catch them here. Prediction: Northwestern (Miami) 44, Miramar 28.
CLASS 5A
Pine Forest (Pensacola) (12-0) at Lakeland (13-0), 7:30 p.m.
Pine Forest and Lakeland will prove to be a matchup of two similar, conservative, effective offenses. Both teams rarely throw the ball, sticking with run-based game plans which have rarely lost games for the two programs in the past.
Although Lakeland quarterback Jarred Haggins is a highly regarded junior prospect, statistically he hasn’t had the season you see from a big-name prospect. Haggins has thrown for just over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Shawn Morris is the top offensive threat for Pine Forest, having finished the regular season with 919 yards and 13 touchdowns on 114 carries.
Senior Aaron Trudell (5-9, 205) has led the Lakeland attack on offense with close to 800 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Sophomore Steward Butler has accumulated 515 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Rodney Watson has pitched in with over 500 yards and seven touchdowns. Linebackers Jordan Jones (6-1, 225) and Quayshawn Nealy (6-1, 210) lead the Dreadnaughts’ defense which has surrendered 151 points in 13 games to date. Pine Forest is equally as stout, surrendering 137 points in 12 games.
Even the coaching matchup is a coin flip. Bill Castle is one of the most accomplished coaches in the history of Florida high school football, having won six championships in his 33 years at Lakeland. Pine Forest’s Jerry Pollard is no slouch, however, having one state championship (2000) and a state runner-up (2005) during his 20 years in Pensacola.
In the end, it’s hard for me to ignore the home-field advantage that Bryant Stadium provides for the Dreadnaughts. Pine Forest will keep it close, but in the end, I have to go with the home team here. Prediction: Lakeland 24, Pine Forest (Pensacola) 23.
Largo (12-1) at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (13-0), 7:30 p.m.
This is a rematch of last season’s semifinal, won by St. Thomas Aquinas 35-13 in Pinellas County. Largo has proved impressive through three playoff games, including last week’s 59-17 victory over a Charlotte team which the previous week had defeated a Venice team many expected would be in this very game against St. Thomas Aquinas. Senior Marcel Durham (157 carries, 943 yards, 17 touchdowns), junior fullback/linebacker Sean Holte (51-400-3) and senior quarterback Ryan Eppes (61-307-1) lead the ground attack. Eppes has thrown the ball only 107 times, completing 57 for 1,311 yards and 13 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Senior Mike Lang is Eppes’ favorite receiver with 32 receptions for 839 yards and seven touchdowns. No other receiver has more than four receptions for the Packers.
St. Thomas Aquinas, which has won 22 straight, has received more than 2,500 yards on the ground from three backs – junior Giovani Bernard (136 carries, 1,252 yards, 17 touchdowns), junior James White (113-794-16) and senior Beau Bucci (61-542-5). Senior Duron Carter, the son of former NFL standout Cris Carter (who is an assistant coach), has 11 touchdowns and 694 receiving yards on 34 receptions. Senior Dwayne Difton has 27 receptions for 470 yards and five touchdowns. Senior quarterback Ryan Becker has completed 102 of 159 passes for 1,779 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions for long-time coach George Smith, who has more than 300 victories and four state championships.
The Raiders have sleepwalked at times through the latter parts of the season and early rounds of the playoffs and still has pounded opponents. I expect nothing less on Friday night. Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 52 (Fort Lauderdale), Largo 17.
CLASS 4A
Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (8-5) vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) (10-3) at Cox Stadium, Tallahassee, 7:30 p.m.
Seabreeze is an intriguing team. Suffering some heavy losses from last year’s 12-1 team which advanced to the regional finals, Seabreeze struggled at times to find its footing. Sophomore quarterback Dominique Roberts (6-1, 195) was thrust into a starting role early in the season after beginning the season as a wide receiver and backup signal-caller to Matt Thompson.
While it took some time for Roberts to find his way, he has become a serious offensive threat (especially with his legs) over the second half of the season and into the playoffs. Roberts has rushed for 1,227 yards and 17 touchdowns and also passed for 1,145 yards and nine touchdowns in leading the Sandcrabs this season in both categories. Brian Young (5-9, 160) is the top running back on the roster rushed for 626 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior defensive back Jonathan Scott (6-3, 200) is one of the top players for Seabreeze with 50 tackles and four interceptions. Senior linebacker Chris Ferrito (5-11, 200) leads the team in tackles with 156 tackles, 4.5 behind the line of scrimmage.
Lincoln is led by a number of talented prospects, including star safety Jawanza Starling (6-2, 190) who is being recruited by schools around the country. Junior Ryan White has led the way on offense from his quarterback position, and his play has been boosted by a strong offensive line headlined by senior Shauntez Bruce (6-4, 300).
Lincoln returns to the state semifinals for the second time in three years. Seabreeze has only advanced this far in the playoffs one other time, in 1992 under coach Rocky Yocam. While Seabreeze has seemingly gotten better with each passing week of playoff football, it won’t be enough to overtake the Trojans on the road. Fourth-year coach Kyle Rice leads Lincoln to its first finals appearance not under the watch of legendary coach David Wilson. Prediction: Lincoln (Tallahassee) 34, Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 21.
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (12-1) at Plant (Tampa) (12-1), 7:30 p.m.
The big story line for this showdown is Aaron Murray. Will he play? Will he not? The Georgia commitment was on his way to putting together one of the most spectacular seasons in Florida high school history before a broken and dislocated ankle against Hillsborough on Oct. 10 derailed his season. Now, stunningly, after just two months, Murray is back at practice, seemingly at full speed and back on the field four months ahead of schedule. But what does this mean for sophomore Phillip Ely? He has thrown for 1,767 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions as Murray’s replacement. And he’s 7-0 as the starter.
So what to do now? Risk breaking up the chemistry that Plant has built with Ely? Murray is clearly the more talented of the two signal-callers, but trying to come back off that kind of injury in just two months is quite a tall order. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what choice Plant coach Robert Weiner makes tonight.
Orson Charles (66 catches, 1,254 yards, 18 touchdowns) has become an absolute beast in recent weeks. He had two touchdown receptions in the win over Armwood and also has seen some time on defense in order to get Plant’s best playmakers on the field as much as possible.
“Playmakers,” is a word that fits Dwyer quite well. Matt Elam has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns on offense. He is one of the top junior prospects in the entire country. Another junior, Gerald Christian (6-3, 225), has developed into a force on both sides of the ball. Two weeks ago he returned a fumble 102 yards for a touchdown. He also is a viable weapon for senior quarterback Bradley Wallace (55-of-92, 989 yards, 12 touchdowns, 1 interception) who has a number of big schools recruiting him as an athlete.
Plant has struggled with Armwood quite a bit in recent years. It last found the mojo to beat the Hawks from Robert Marve. It is a bit surprising that sophomore fillin Ely was the next one to pull off that feat and not all-universe quarterback Aaron Murray. It is interesting that Murray might now step back into the lineup against a very good Dwyer program, which may not have the type of swarming defense that Plant faced last week. I’m really torn. It’s easy to go with Plant, but I’m banking on the Murray storyline being more of a distraction than a boost for the Panthers from Tampa. Prediction: Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) 34, Plant (Tampa) 31.
CLASS 3A
Godby (Tallahassee) (11-2) at Pasco (Dade City) (12-1), 7:30 p.m.
Godby is led by one of the most productive passing games in the entire state. A.J. Graham has passed for 3,523 yards and 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions in leading Godby to the state semifinals. FSU commitment Willie Downs has excelled on both sides of the ball, putting together an all-state type of season for the Cougars (58 catches, 939 yards and 13 touchdowns). Corey Gaines (6-0, 275) is an excellent two-way lineman who helps solidify both lines for Godby. He is an Army All-American and will be playing with some of the biggest names from around the country (including Florida commitments Nick Alajajian and Nick Kasa) on Jan. 3 in San Antonio.
Meanwhile, Pasco is led by D.J. Clower on offense (73-of-145, 1195 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions) and Jamall Haynes (237 carries, 1,555 yards, 14 touchdowns). Pasco’s defense also played very well on the season, giving up just 145 points through13 games, including a shutout of county rival Gulf, 50-0, just a couple weeks after pulling out a tough 21-20 victory over the Buccaneers.
In the end, it comes down to two questions: Can Pasco shut down Godby’s explosive offense? If it can’t, can Pasco score enough points to win in a shootout?. I believe the second answer is no, so it all depends on the play of the Pirates’ defense and what it can do to slow down that great Godby offense. I don’t see that happening, at least not enough for Pasco to advance to Orlando. Prediction: Godby (Tallahassee) 37, Pasco (Dade City) 23.
Cocoa (12-1) at Monsignor Pace (Miami) (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
This will be a battle of speed as Cocoa is annually one of the fastest teams in Brevard County, while Monsignor Pace has developed into a small-school superpower down in South Florida. The Tigers of Cocoa return to the state semifinals after dropping a heartbreaker to eventual 3A champion Naples, 28-21, in 2007. Dynamic sophomore Chevelle Buie (5-8, 160), is a track champion who has been absolutely brilliant for Cocoa this year. Buie rushed for 1,568 yards and 16 touchdowns on just 144 carries this season. Matt Younger, the younger brother of Florida International quarterback Wayne Younger, has had a great season with 905 passing yards and nine touchdowns with just three interceptions to supplement the great play of the explosive backfield of Buie and Marquise Dixon (88 carries, 724 yards and 12 touchdowns).
Monsignor Pace also has a tremendous amount of talent, led by Miami commitment Kayvon Webster (5-11, 185). While Webster is being recruited primarily for his play on defense, he has 37 catches for 468 yards, and five touchdowns for the Spartans’ offense this season. Pace also has received strong play from junior quarterback Stephen Morris (140-for-218, 1,966 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions) and senior wide receiver Sterling Griffin (43 catches, 671 yards, eight touchdowns), both of whom will be playing big-time college football down the line.
In the end, while I am tempted to go with Cocoa but I think the overall talent and ability of the Pace Spartans will be too much to overcome. Expect a lot of fireworks in this one. Prediction: Monsignor Pace (Miami) 35, Cocoa 29.
FHSAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
The schedule for the remaining games in the Florida High School Athletic Association state football playoffs.
FRIDAY
STATE SEMIFINALS
CLASS 6A
Boone (Orlando) (11-2) at Seminole (Sanford) (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
Northwestern (Miami) (11-1) vs. Miramar (11-2) at Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 5A
Pine Forest (Pensacola) (12-0) at Lakeland (13-0), 7:30 p.m.
Largo (12-1) at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) (13-0), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A
Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) (8-5) vs. Lincoln (Tallahassee) (10-3) at Cox Stadium, Tallahassee, 7:30 p.m.
Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens) (12-1) at Plant (Tampa) (12-1), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A
Godby (Tallahassee) (11-2) at Pasco (Dade City) (12-1), 7:30 p.m.
Cocoa (12-1) at Monsignor Pace (Miami) (11-2), 7:30 p.m.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 1B
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Warner Christian (South Daytona) (12-1) vs. Jupiter Christian (13-0), 1 p.m.
CLASS 1A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) (9-2) vs. Fort Meade (12-1), 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 13
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 2B
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Pahokee (11-1) vs. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) (12-1), 1 p.m.
CLASS 2A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Gulliver Prep (Miami) (11-1) vs. Bolles (Jacksonville) (13-0), 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, DEC. 19
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 3A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Godby (Tallahassee)-Pasco (Dade City) winner vs. Cocoa-Monsignor Pace (Miami) winner, 1 p.m.
CLASS 5A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Pine Forest (Pensacola)-Lakeland winner vs. Largo-St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) winner, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS 4A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Seabreeze (Daytona Beach)-Lincoln (Tallahassee) winner vs. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens)-Plant (Tampa) winner, 1 p.m.
CLASS 6A
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Boone (Orlando)-Seminole (Sanford) winner vs. Northwestern (Miami)-Miramar winner, 7 p.m.