2A PREVIEW: Champagnat Looks For Another Title

When people talk about how tough it is to reach any championship game, take a step back and think what it would be like to go to five straight, coming away 3-2. That is what <strong>Hialeah Champagnat Catholic</strong> has been able to do under the direction of <strong>Dennis Marroquin</strong> and for the past two season, <strong>Hector Clavijo</strong>, who has his team ready for an amazing sixth straight state appearance. To win a third consecutive 2A state crown this coming season, the northern opponent should be powerhouse <strong>Jacksonville Trinity Christian, </strong>who make the move down from 3A where they beat Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna to win yet another crown under veteran head coach <strong>Verlon Dorminey</strong> – a coaching icon. While Champagnat Catholic (11-2 a year ago) and Trinity Christian (12-1 in 2020) are the headliners and will get plenty of the spotlight, there are other 2A programs who will be in the mix and talented. Speaking about talent, <strong>Jacksonville University Christian</strong> is a program that has been as successful as any – and after losing in the title game, 41-27, to Champagnat Catholic, veteran head coach <strong>David Penland</strong> and his team is ready once again. Programs such as <strong>Dade Christian</strong> with head coach <strong>George Stubbs</strong> and his staff really making an impact all spring and summer. Head Coach <strong>Andre Walker</strong> takes over from <strong>Brad Lord</strong> and <strong>Foundation Academy</strong> is ready to play some high-level football with several key athletes. Keep an eye on eight-time state champion <strong>Tallahassee North Florida Christian </strong>as <strong>Brent Hill</strong>, who replaces Steve Price, who was named the head coach at Ponte Vedra, brings plenty of experience with him and has plenty of talent. <strong>Coach Travis Puleo</strong> continues to build something special at <strong>Seffner Christian</strong> after a 9-5 season that came to an end with a loss to Champagnat Catholic. This is team that has been adding younger prospects in the off season. Trying to rebound from a 7-5 season, <strong>Lakeland Victory Christian</strong> is looking for a trip back to the state title game – after falling short this past season. Head Coach <strong>Kendrick Stewart</strong> and the Storm have a solid mix of prospects and will be one of those teams to keep an eye on. After an 8-3 season in 2020, it would be hard to convince head coach <strong>Mike Smith</strong> that his <strong>Zephyrhills Christian</strong> football team is not one of the best 2A teams in the state of Florida. As they get ready for the season ahead, the Warriors are coming off a productive spring and summer – and every player coach believes that this coming year could be one of the best the program has had. In addition to North Florida Christian, Trinity Christian and University Christian, Region 1 also will have <strong>Aucilla Christian</strong> (Monticello), <strong>FAMU DRS</strong> (Tallahassee), <strong>Munroe Day </strong>(Quincy), <strong>North Florida Educational </strong>(Jacksonville), <strong>Rocky Bayou Christian </strong>(Niceville), <strong>St. Francis Catholic</strong> (Gainesville), <strong>St. John Paul II </strong>(Tallahassee) and <strong>St. Joseph</strong> (St. Augustine). Region 2 is also stacked with talent. Other than Foundation Academy, power Victory Christian, Zephyrhills Christian and Orlando Christian Prep, there are others to keep an eye on as well. Programs such as <strong>Bishop McLaughlin</strong> (Spring Hill),  <strong>Father Lopez</strong> (Daytona Beach – down from 3A), <strong>Halifax Academy</strong> (Daytona Beach), <strong>Holy Trinity</strong> (Melbourne – down from 3A), <strong>Orangewood Christian</strong> (Maitland) and <strong>Trinity Christian </strong>(Deltona) are all improved. While Seffner Christian figures to be a team that will be in the mix, Region 3 also boasts <strong>Bradenton Christian</strong>, <strong>Cambridge </strong>(Tampa), <strong>Community School</strong> (Naples), <strong>Evangelical Christian</strong> (Fort Myers), <strong>First Baptist</strong> (Naples), <strong>Indian Rocks Christian</strong> (Largo), <strong>Keswick Christian</strong> (St. Petersburg), <strong>Northside Christian </strong>(St. Petersburg), <strong>Southwest Florida Christian</strong> (Fort Myers) and <strong>St. John Neumann</strong> (Naples) will be teams to keep an eye on as well. We know that Champagnat has long ruled Region 4 – and Dade Christian is loaded with talent and coaching, but there are other programs who are ready to showcase talent - including <strong>Archbishop Carroll </strong>(Miami), rising <strong>Avant Garde </strong>(Hollywood), <strong>Glades Day</strong> (Belle Glade), <strong>John Carroll </strong>(Fort Pierce – down from 3A), <strong>Marathon</strong>, <strong>Miami Christian</strong>, <strong>Moore Haven</strong>, <strong>Village Academy</strong> (Delray Beach) and <strong>Westminster Academy</strong> (Fort Lauderdale). <strong>TRACKING FLORIDA: Teams Look At 2021 Season. </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/">https://prepredzone.com/2021/03/tracking-florida-teams-look-at-2021-season/</a> <strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id="111610" first="Larry" last="Blustein"] with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on @PrepRedzonefl</em></strong>