Great Matchups In State Semifinals
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Every week a new teams emerges as a favorite fall. Welcome to the Florida high school state football playoffs.
This is indeed the time of year when strange things happen – good or bad – on the football field, and those teams that went into the post season feeling great are being surprised.
While there are still favorites very much alive, there are those underdogs, some who have never advanced this far, that are ready to wear Cinderella’s famous slipper one more week.
For the larger schools it’s win and then wait a week before a trip to Fort Lauderdale and DRV PNK Stadium. For the smaller programs, you win this week and head to Gene Cox Stadium for the finals next week.
As we head toward the State Semifinals, here is a look at the Top 25 plus for this week:
1.Miami Central (2M, 12-0). THIS WEEK: No. 23. St. Petersburg Lakewood at home. NEXT GAME: State Finals against the winner of Plantation American and Jacksonville Bolles. LAST WEEK: The Rockets beat Miami Norland, 34-20.
2. Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (1M, 10-0). THIS WEEK: A game against Miami True North Academy in the state semifinals. NEXT WEEK: Will play the winner of Clearwater Central Catholic and Jacksonville University Christian in Tallahassee in the state title Game. LAST WEEK: The Lions knocked off previously unbeaten West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 49-16.
3. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (3M, 12-0). THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 16 Tampa Jesuit in a state semifinal matchup. NEXT GAME: The winner of Orlando Jones and Homestead in the state finals in Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. LAST WEEK: The Raiders remained unbeaten with a convincing 35-7 win against previously unbeaten Pompano Beach Blanche Ely.
4. Bradenton IMG Academy (Independent, 8-1). THIS WEEK: SEASON OVER.
5. Lakeland (4S, 12-0). THIS WEEK: A rematch with No. 15 Kissimmee Osceola at home. NEXT GAME: A state championship matchup between the winner of Venice and Gainesville Buchholz in two weeks at DRV PBK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Dreadnaughts remained unbeaten with a 41-6 win against Lake Minneola.
6. Plantation American Heritage (2M, 10-1). THIS WEEK: A home game against Jacksonville Bolles. NEXT GAME: A state title game between the winner of Miami Central and St. Petersburg Lakewood in the state title game in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Patriots beat Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons for the second time, 34-20.
7. Miami Christopher Columbus (4M, 11-1). THIS WEEK: A home game against Ocoee. NEXT GAME: The winner of the state semifinal game between Apopka and Palm Beach Central in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. TBD. LAST WEEK: The Explorers beat Doral Academy in the Region final for the second time this year, 35-3.
8. Orlando Jones (3M, 11-2). THIS WEEK: A home state semifinal game against No. 25 Homestead. NEXT GAME: The winner will take on either Tampa Jesuit or Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the state title game in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. TBD. LAST WEEK: The Tigers upset unbeaten Orlando Edgewater, 42-13.
9. Lake Wales (3S, 12-0). THIS WEEK: A home game against Lake City Columbia in the state semifinals. NEXT GAME: The state championship game in two weeks against either Daytona Beach Mainland or Fort Myers Dunbar at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. LAST WEEK: A convincing 26-9 win against Zephyrhills.
10. Clearwater Central Catholic (1M, 11-1). NEXT WEEK: An away state semifinal matchup against No. 19 Jacksonville University Christian. NEXT GAME: A state championship contest next week at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee against either Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna or Miami True North Classical Academy. LAST WEEK: The Marauders won a close 21-11 contest against Tampa Carrollwood Day.
11. Gainesville Buchholz (4S, 10-2). THIS WEEK: A trip to play No. 18 defending state champion Venice. NEXT GAME: A state title matchup in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale against either Lakeland or Kissimmee Osceola. LAST WEEK: The Bobcats stunned previously unbeaten top-seed St. John’s Bartram Trail, 21-20, in a rematch.
12. Cocoa (2S, 9-3). THIS WEEK: Another state semifinal road game against No. 24 Starke Bradford County. NEXT GAME: Will be the winner of the state semifinal contest between Fort Myers Bishop Vero and Tallahassee Florida High at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee. LAST WEEK: The Tigers flexed some muscle in a 35-7 win against previously unbeaten Bushnell South Sumter.
13. Apopka (4M, 11-2). THIS WEEK. Will be on the road to play No. 14 Wellington Palm Beach Central. NEXT GAME. The winner gets either Miami Christopher Columbus or Ocoee in the state title game in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Blue Darters remained one of the hottest teams in the state with a 30-21 win against Lake Mary.
14. Wellington Palm Beach Central (4M, 12-1). THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 13 Apopka in a state semifinal. NEXT GAME: The winner gets either Miami Christopher Columbus or Ocoee in the state title game in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Broncos took care of business against rival Palm Beach Gardens, 14-10.
15. Kissimmee Osceola (4S, 10-3). THIS WEEK: A rematch in state finals at No. 5 Lakeland. NEXT GAME: A state championship matchup between the winner of Venice and Gainesville Buchholz in two weeks at DRV PBK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale LAST WEEK: One of the teams you want to stay away from right now as they beat Vero Beach on the road, 31-7.
16. Tampa Jesuit (3M, 9-4). THIS WEEK: The defending state champions will be on the road against three-time defending state champion and No. 3 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. NEXT GAME: The winner of Orlando Jones and Homestead in the state finals in Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. LAST WEEK: The Tigers stayed hot against Largo – beating the Packers, 31-0.
17. Tallahassee FSU High (2S, 13-0). THIS WEEK: A home game against Fort Myers Bishop Verot. NEXT GAME: The winner of either Cocoa or Starke Bradford County next week at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee. LAST WEEK: The Seminoles remained unbeaten with a convincing 38-13 win against Live Oak Suwannee.
18. Venice (4S, 8-3). THIS WEEK: The Indians will be at home for a contest against No. 11 Gainesville Buchholz. NEXT GAME: The winner will play either Lakeland or Kissimmee Osceola in two weeks for the state championship at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Bobcats upended previously unbeaten St. John’s Bartram Trail, 21-20.
19. Jacksonville University Christian (1M, 11-1). THIS WEEK: A home state semifinal game against No. 10 Clearwater Central Catholic. NEXT GAME: Will play the winner of Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna and Miami True North Prep Classical Academy contest next week at Gene Cox Stadium. LAST WEEK: The Christian upended long time power Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 36-27.
20. Hawthorne (1R, 10-0). THIS WEEK: A home state semifinal contest against Blountstown. NEXT GAME: The winner of this contest will play either Lake Butler Union County or Bratt Northview next week at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee in the state title game. LAST WEEK: Hawthorne won a thrilling 21-20 game against Pahokee.
21. Daytona Beach Mainland (3S, 10-3). THIS WEEK: Another road game for the Bucs against No. 22 Fort Myers Dunbar. NEXT GAME: The winner will play either Lake City Columbus or Lake Wales in two weeks at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale in the state title game. LAST WEEK: The Bucs advanced to this contest with a road win against Jensen Beach, 45-10.
22. Fort Myers Dunbar (3S, 9-1). THIS WEEK: A home game against No. 21 Daytona Beach Mainland in the state semifinals. NEXT GAME: The winner will play either Lake City Columbia or Lake Wales in two weeks at the state championships at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: The Tigers beat long time power Naples, 14-7.
23. St. Petersburg Lakewood (2M, 9-4). THIS WEEK: A road game in the state semifinals against No. 1 Miami Central. NEXT GAME: Will play the winner of Jacksonville Bolles and Plantation American Heritage in the state title game at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale in two weeks. LAST WEEK: The Spartans scored early and often in a 63-42 win against Clearwater Calvary Christian.
24. Starke Bradford County (2S, 11-1). THIS WEEK: A home state semifinal contest against No. 12 Cocoa. NEXT GAME: The winner of the Tallahassee Florida High and Fort Myers Bishop Verot next week at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee for the state title. LAST WEEK: The Tornadoes won a competitive contest against Glen St. Mary Baker County, 28-17.
25. Homestead (3M, 10-2). THIS WEEK: For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Broncos have reached the state semifinal contest against No. 8 Orlando Jones. NEXT GAME: The winner gets either Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas or Tampa Jesuit in the state title game in two weeks at DRV PNK in Fort Lauderdale. LAST WEEK: A huge home win, 33-13, against Miramar.
OTHER PLAYOFF TEAMS
No. 3 Blountstown (1R, 8-4)
No. 1 Bratt Northview(1R, 11-0)
No. 1 Century Northview (1R, 12-0)
No. 1 Fort Myers Bishop Verot (2S, 9-2)
No. 1 Fort Pierce John Carroll (1S, 9-1)
No. 3 Jacksonville Bolles (2M, 8-4)
No. 1 Lake Butler Union County (1R, 7-2)
No. 3 Lake City Columbia (3S, 8-3)
No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy (1M, 8-3)
No. 1 Naples First Baptist (1S, 7-2)
No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (1S, 7-2)
No. 3 Ocoee (4M, 8-4)
No. 3 Quincy Munroe (1S, 5-6)
FINISHED FOR THE SEASON
Bushnell South Sumter (2S, 12-1 – SEASON OVER)
Chipley (1R, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
Clearwater Calvary Christian (2M, 10-3 – SEASON OVER)
Doral Academy (4M, 8-5 – SEASON OVER)
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (2M, 10-2 – SEASON OVER)
Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee (3S, 7-6 – SEASON OVER)
Frostproof (2S, 10-3 – SEASON OVER)
Gainesville P.K. Yonge (1S, 4-8 – SEASON OVER)
Glen St. Mary Baker County (2S, 7-4 – SEASON OVER)
Jacksonville Raines (2M, 9-3 – SEASON OVER)
Jacksonville Trinity Christian (1M, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
Jensen Beach (3S, 10-3 – SEASON OVER)
Lake Mary (4M, 8-4 – SEASON OVER)
Lake Minneola (4S, 10-2 – SEASON OVER)
Lakeland Christian (1S, 8-2 – SEASON OVER)
Largo (3M, 9-3 – SEASON OVER)
Live Oak Suwannee (2S, 10-3 – SEASON OVER)
Mayo Lafayette (1R, 10-2 – SEASON OVER)
Miami Norland (2M, 9-3 – SEASON OVER)
Miami Palmer Trinity (1M, 6-6 – SEASON OVER)
Niceville (4S, 9-2– SEASON OVER)
Miramar (3M, 10-2 – SEASON OVER)
Moore Haven (1S, 8-4 – SEASON OVER)
Naples (3S, 9-3 – SEASON OVER)
Orlando Edgewater (3M, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
Pahokee (1R, 9-3 – SEASON OVER)
Palm Beach Gardens (4M, 9-4 – SEASON OVER)
Pensacola Pine Forest (3S, 9-1– SEASON OVER)
Pompano Beach Blanche Ely (3M, 10-1 – SEASON OVER).
Rockledge (3S, 8-3 – SEASON OVER).
Sanford Seminole (4M, 8-3 – SEASON OVER)
Sarasota Riverview (4S, 5-7 – SEASON OVER)
Sneads (1R, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
St. John’s Bartram Trail (4S, 12-1 – SEASON OVER)
Tallahassee North Florida Christian (1S, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
Tampa Bay Tech (3M, 8-3 – SEASON OVER)
Tampa Carrollwood Day (1M, 6-4 – SEASON OVER)
Tampa Wharton (3M, 8-3 – SEASON OVER)
Tarpon Springs East Lake (4M, 10-2 – SEASON OVER)
Vero Beach (4S, 11-2 – SEASON OVER)
West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (1M, 11-1 – SEASON OVER)
Winter Park (4M, 9-2– SEASON OVER)
Zephyrhills (3S, 9-4 – SEASON OVER)
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.