State Football Championship Rewind

<strong>TALLAHASSEE – </strong>Mission accomplished! When the Coronavirus cancelled spring football, people in the world of Florida high school football started to panic. When summer camps, 7-on-7 events and combines were called off – things began to get very hectic. The chance that the 2020 high school football season could be postponed was a real possibility. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-86509" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/Tallahassee2020-XXXX-15-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" />With Florida posting some of the highest numbers in the nation, nothing was certain when it came to high school football – and the season ahead. While the season would be controversial – because many programs were not given the option to play for a state title, things went on – with many stoppages along the way for positive tests and quarantine. It was a battle from start to finish. Fighting through quarantine and nothing concrete to hold on to, the season was played differently throughout the state. When the playoffs started – different teams headed in different directions. But in the end, while there were too many adjustments to be made – the show went on – and this past week in Tallahassee was certainly capped off with some great games, tremendous story lines and eight champions crowned. While Tallahassee did step up and do an amazing job – on and off the playing field – the fact is that the location is too far – and south Florida teams – six in total had to come 450 miles away, leaving many fans behind. We have maintained that Orlando should be the permanent home for the finals. Somewhat centrally located, plenty of affordable hotels and restaurants and a major airport hub with low-cost flights, if needed. Many wouldn’t respect us if we didn’t speak up and share our feelings  – since we have attended every state playoff since 1967. <strong>COLD WEATHER AND FOOTBALL</strong> With temperatures near the teens with the wind chill, <strong><em>Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium</em></strong> rolled out the football weather, and the players, coaches and fans loved the rare treat in the Sunshine State. No game was more evident than the <strong>1A </strong>matchup between undefeated Baker and Hawthorne. Cooler temperatures and wind did not dampen the Gators’ spirit as head coach<strong> Matt Brunson </strong>and his team finished 14-0 with a 27-14 win over the Hornets. The <strong>2A</strong> game watched head coach Hector<strong> Clavijo </strong>and the Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions, on their fifth consecutive trip to the state finals, finish 11-2 with a 41-27 win over an always competitive Jacksonville University Christian team. The<strong> 3A </strong>match up was indeed the most anticipated with three-time defending state champion Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, also making a fifth consecutive trip to the state finals, against the last team to beat them in the state championship. Even though head coach<strong> Dameon Jones </strong>and his team had a commanding 16-0 lead, coach<strong> Verlon Dorminey </strong>and his Conquerors never quit, winning the title 25-22. In<strong> 4A,</strong> it was the same Jacksonville Bolles team that came up short against Miami Booker T. Washington in 2019. <strong>Matt Toblin’s </strong>Bulldogs went up against a senior-oriented Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons team – under head coach<strong> Matt Dubuc</strong> – who had already beaten St. Thomas Aquinas and unbeaten and high-scoring Cocoa. The Chiefs finished 9-1 with a convincing, 35-21, win and a second title in three years. There would be no denying head coach<strong> Pat Surtain </strong>and his Plantation American Heritage Patriots. Even with Tallahassee Rickards as an opponent in the <strong>5A</strong> title game. From the beginning, the defense that this team played proved to be too much in a 24-6 win against head coach<strong> Quintin Lewis </strong>and the Raiders. Miami Central certainly was the story at this year’s state tournament. Always loaded with quality talent and coaching, the Rockets played less football than anyone in the state series – and in the playoffs, head coach<strong> Roland Smith </strong>and his team were amazing. In beating Coach<strong> Walter Banks </strong>and Lake Minneola, 46-0, in the <strong>6A </strong>title game, this team was easily the best of the 16 teams that made their way to the state capital. Even though nobody wanted to come to grips with it, Orlando Edgewater (8-3) and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1) had all the makings of another battle in 7A. These two teams knocked heads last year – and would do the same in this game. Head Coach<strong> Roger Harriott </strong>and the Raiders once again beat Coach <strong>Cameron Duke’s </strong>Eagles, 31-21. In a year where there was one<strong> 8A </strong>team from Port St. Lucie to Miami that opted in, the finals were indeed something that you would NEVER see under normal circumstances. Sanford Seminole and Kissimmee Osceola or two Central Florida area programs – separated by 45 miles. This one was all first year head coach<strong> Eric Lodge </strong>and the 12-0 Seminoles. The 38-10 win over head coach<strong> Doug Nichols </strong>and the 8-3 Kowboys showed many across the state that this team was as good as anyone – all year! So, we watched 16 schools, eight state champs in a year that many felt that nothing like this would ever be a reality. <strong><em>Merry Christmas!</em></strong> <strong><em>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on </em></strong><strong><em>Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl.</em></strong>