South (Florida) has chance to rise again

Four high school football teams were crowned state champions last weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl and four more will join them this weekend after the Classes 3A and 5A games are played Friday and the Classes 4A and 6A games are played Saturday in Orlando.

Last weekend, Jupiter Chrisian (1B), North Florida Christian of Tallahassee (1A), Pahokee (2B) and Jacksonville Bolles (2A) won state championships. Bolles beat Miami Gulliver Prep, 49-20; Pahokee downed Ocala Trinity Catholic, 21-17; North Florida Christian beat Fort Meade, 17-7; and Jupiter Christian ousted Warner Christian of South Daytona, 49-14.

If you are keeping score, that’s two victories for North Florida squads and two victories for South Florida teams.

Games on Friday at the Citrus Bowl feature Cocoa against Tallahassee Godby at 1 p.m. in the Class 3A state final followed by the much ballyhooed championship at 7 in Class 5A between Lakeland and St. Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale, the nation’s Nos. 6 and 1 teams, both 14-0, according to USA Today’s latest national high school rankings.

The Class 4A championship Saturday at 1 features Tampa Plant against Tallahassee Lincoln. At 7, Miami Northwestern and Seminole battle for the Class 6A title.

Could the South (Florida) rise again?

FRIDAY

CLASS 3A

Cocoa (13-1) vs. Tallahassee Godby (12-2), 1 p.m.

Cocoa’s offense is led by sophomore Chevelle Buie (159 carries, 1659 yards, 16 touchdowns), who keys a strong ground game for the Tigers. His play is supplemented by Marquise Dixon (102 carries, 825 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Anthony Wilson (130 carries, 810 yards, 5 touchdowns). Matt Younger (44-of-93, 905 yards, 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) isn’t the most accurate passer, but he’s avoided big mistakes for the most part, and has proved adept with his feet as well. The Tiger defense is led by Winfred Strickland (9 interceptions, 2 returned for touchdowns) who has been a disruptive force in the secondary for a number of opponents. Cody Bell kicked a last-play, 52-yard field goal against Monsignor Pace to put the Tigers into the state finals. He could be the X-Factor if a close game develops.

Meanwhile, Godby has an incredibly explosive offense, with quarterback A.J. Graham (225-of-361, 3632 yards, 37 touchdowns, 9 interceptions) at the helm. Lavorie Johnson (169 carries, 1,112 yards, 10 touchdowns) does a good job of taking the load off Graham with his play as both a runner and receiver. Godby also has a strong trio of receivers in Kessey Graham (54 catches, 1,015 yards, 8 touchdowns), FSU commitment Willie Downs (61 catches, 952 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Chris St. Hilaire (54 catches, 883 yards, 10 touchdowns). Senior linebacker Justin Jones leads the defense with 163 tackles and 10 sacks on the season.

Godby’s offensive has been incredibly explosive over the course of the year. However, Cocoa has the athletes to hamper the strong passing game of the Cougars. In the end, I like Cocoa … and it probably has a lot to do with the fact I’m from Brevard County, but what the hey? I’m going with what got me here last week. My prediction: Cocoa 24, Tallahassee Godby 21.

CLASS 5A

Lakeland (14-0) vs. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (14-0), 7 p.m.

By far the marquee matchup of the weekend. It seems to be getting redundant, but it’s Lakeland and Aquinas for the 5A title (again) and both are undefeated (again) and there will be a boatload of Division I prospects on both sidelines (again).

St. Thomas Aquinas is led by quarterback Ryan Becker (98-of-150, 1,517 yards, 18 touchdowns, 9 interceptions) and the dynamic duo of junior backs Giovanni Bernard (144 carries, 1,371 yards, 16 touchdowns) and James C. White (113 carries, 779 yards, 16 touchdowns). Another duo – senior wideouts Duron Carter (28 receptions, 498 yards, 11 touchdowns), the son of NFL great Cris Carter, and Dwayne Difton (24 receptions, 379 yards, 3 touchdowns) are back after being a big part of St. Thomas Aquinas’ run to the 5A state title last year over Kissimmee Osceola. Senior linebacker Connor O’Neill (committed to Wisconsin) leads the charge on defense, while junior defensive backs Cody Riggs (son of former NFL running back Gerald and brother of former Tennessee running back Gerald Jr.) and Brian Robinson pace a talented secondary.

Lakeland quarterback Jarred Haggins had his best game as a Dreadnaught last week in a come-from-behind victory over Pensacola Pine Forest. He went 13-of-17 for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns last Friday and seems to be on the top of his game at just the right time heading into the state finals. Haggins has thrown for just over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year with just four interceptions. Meanwhile, the ground game is led by 5-9, 205-pound senior Aaron Trudell, who has close to 800 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Sophomore Javares McRoy is a star in the making for Lakeland, for the second time this season he caught what proved to be the game-winning score. He finished the contest with 8 catches for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Linebackers Jordan Jones (6-1, 225, Sr.) and Quayshawn Nealy (6-1, 210, Jr.) as well as defensive end Deontae’ Gary (6-0, 215, Sr.) lead a dreaded Dreadnaught defense which has allowed just 172 points in 14 games.

St. Thomas Aquinas ran roughshod through the regular season but its pace has been a little slower in the playoffs. Lakeland has played from behind a number of times this season, including last weekend against Pine Forest, so the Dreadnaughts won’t panic if they get in a hole, which is something that certainly gives them an edge. However, I just don’t think they have the firepower to hang with the Raiders, who are 0-4 in state final appearances against Lakeland, including three in a row from 2004-06. My prediction: Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 31, Lakeland 17.

SATURDAY

CLASS 4A

Tampa Plant (13-1) vs. Tallahassee Lincoln (11-3), 1 p.m
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Tampa Plant is led on offense by Aaron Murray, the talented senior quarterback (and Georgia commitment) who has had a banner 2008 season despite suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle at midseason. He has completed 100 of 167 passes for 1,921 yards and 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. It’s amazing that his season would be considered a great year for a lot of kids, and yet he missed about half the season with an ankle injury, and still put up such great stats. Orson Charles leads the charge from the tight end position with 69 receptions for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns. Junior linebacker Mike Mirabella, senior defensive back Hunter Baldwin, junior defensive back Eric Dungy (the son of Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy) and senior defensive linemen Austin Clark and Javon Mention are the defensive standouts for the Panthers, who have surrendered just 147 points in 14 games.

Lincoln is led by talented senior prospect wide receiver/defensive back Jawanza Starling (6-2, 190), who has offers from colleges all around the country. Quarterback Ryan White (76-of-151, 1,053 yards, 14 touchdowns and 6 interceptions) paces the offense, along with sophomore back Javorius Allen (162 carries, 1,044 yards, 10 touchdowns along with 10 receptions for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns), senior wideout D’Vonte Graham (30 catches, 379 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Starling. A strong line up front has also been vital to the success of the Lincoln attack this year. Senior Shauntez Bruce (6-4, 300) is the big name in that group. Starling’s sterling play on defense (82 total tackles, 7 pass breakups, one interception and 1 tackle for loss) has been the key behind a big year for the Trojans. Junior LB Tony Harris (128 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3 quarterback sacks) along with Mark Wilson (114 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 6 hurries) lead the way for an solid Lincoln defense.

While good teams have given Plant fits, I just don’t think Lincoln is going to be the team to stop the Panthers on this day. Plant has faced three consecutive tests now (Bradenton Southeast, Armwood and Dwyer) which I would consider to be tougher than this Trojan squad that takes the field against Plant on this day. While I think Lincoln can keep it close for a while, you have to like the firepower of a Murray-led offense in this one. My prediction: Tampa Plant 23, Tallahassee Lincoln 16.

CLASS 6A

Miami Northwestern (13-1) vs. Sanford Seminole (12-2), 7 p.m.

When you talk about Northwestern, you immediately think of “talented skill athletes.” As has been the trend in recent years for the Bulls, this year’s version is no different. The rushing attack is led by Daquan Hargrett (117 carries, 1,078 yards, 17 touchdowns), although it was Tyresse Jones (14 carries, 127 yards, and 3 touchdowns last week against Miramar) who led the way to a state title appearance with his timely effort. Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater (88-for-142, 1,357 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions) has been brilliant since taking over at midseason. Wayne Times (who moved to WR from the QB spot he manned at the beginning of the year) has developed into Bridgewater’s favorite target. Times has 482 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns this season to pace the Bulls in both categories. On defense, Northwestern is led by the play of touted junior Todd Chandler (committed to Miami) and senior linebackers Kenneth Dillard and Wade Tolbert. All contribute to a Bulls defense which is known for running to the football. How Andre DeBose matches up with this group will be one of the key factors in this game.

Speaking of DeBose, he is a big part of the puzzle for a Seminole team which is making its first appearance in FHSAA state finals history. The Seminoles are led by the play of the famed “Seminole Trio” of Ray Ray Armstrong, DeBose and Dyron Dye, who are all going to have to come up big this week if Seminole hopes to take home its first state title. Armstrong willed his team to victory last week against Boone, rushing for 3 touchdowns and making several crucial drives on the final Seminole touchdown drive, which was capped off by a one-yard keeper by Armstrong with about 45 seconds left on the clock to give the ‘Noles a 21-17 win in Sanford. DeBose was brilliant on that night as well, with several long runs (including a beautiful 39-yarder early in the fourth to set up Seminole’s second TD on the night) to help compliment the strong play of Armstrong. The strong play of linebackers Serderious Bryant (5-9, 190, So.) and Jarkevis Fields (6-0, 215, Sr.), 6-4, 220-pound senior defensive end Charles Thacker (the younger brother of FSU defensive tackle Budd Thacker) along with star end Dye has been a big boost to a Seminole squad.

Thankfully, I don’t think we will see a repeat of last year’s 6A disaster in which Orlando Boone advanced to the 6A final against the heralded Northwestern squad and in front of its hometown fans laid an egg on that night. Boone was knocked out a round earlier in 2008, and Seminole takes its place as the Orlando challenger to a crown which usually ends up residing somewhere in the greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale area. The trio gives Seminole a fighting chance in this one, but in the end it’s hard to pick against that explosive Northwestern offense which is loaded with speedy players at all of the skill positions. While Andre DeBose may be the fastest player on the field when 7 o’clock Saturday comes upon us in the Citrus Bowl, the overall team speed of Northwestern is simply too much. My prediction: Miami Northwestern 42, Sanford Seminole 24.