10 Round 3 Can’t Miss Games
Here we are, Round 3 of the Florida state high school football playoffs – and the matchups for the day after Thanksgiving are going to be impressive. No matter where you are around the state of Florida, there is going…
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Continue ReadingHere we are, Round 3 of the Florida state high school football playoffs – and the matchups for the day after Thanksgiving are going to be impressive.
No matter where you are around the state of Florida, there is going to be a playoff game within driving distance – and while you may not have supported the team in the past – give the programs that are left a boost.
During the season, we pick 10 games statewide that we believe will be interesting enough to attract the attention to the contest. The playoffs are no different, but the stakes are much higher.
Here is Week 3, the choices were not easy, but here are 10 contests to sink your teeth into on Black Friday/Scary Saturday:
8A
No. 3 Apopka (10-2) at No. 1 Sanford Seminole (11-1). Classic game between two red-hot teams that are playing well on both sides of the ball.
The Blue Darters will face an uphill climb against the defending state champions, but they are up for the task. Great central Florida area game.
No. 2 Winter Garden West Orange (11-1) at No. 1 Venice (11-1). Other than the penalty-filled loss to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and the narrow win against Cocoa, the Indians have been amazing and are really the class of 8A this season.
West Orange has enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history, and realize that they will have to play the best game they can just to stay close on the road. Still, the Warriors have talent, but is it enough to match up with this monster of a team.
7A
No. 6 Tampa Wharton (9-2) at No. 1 Tampa Bay Tech (12-0). Here is a rematch of an Oct. 22 game where the Titans came from behind to beat this quality team, 21-12.
This is a game that really should be close and competitive from the start, and while the Wildcats have plenty of talent, it’s Tampa Bay Tech that has found the way to come back several times this season. Another contest that is worth checking out.
6A
No. 2 Lynn Haven Mosley (11-1) at No. 1 Pensacola Pine Forest (10-1). Another very interesting matchup between two teams that may have exceeded expectations this season, but find themselves in Round 3.
Pine Forest fell short a year ago and returned some solid piece – losing only in the opener to West Florida and outscoring their opponents, 414-151.
The Dolphins lost a tough game to Gadsden but rounded with a solid win last week. This is the best year in school history and they would like to keep it going.
No. 3 Orlando Jones (10-2) at No. 1 Ocala Vanguard (12-0). With losses to Orlando Edgewater and powerhouse IMG Academy, the Tigers have gotten better every week – and ride an eight-game winning streak in Ocala.
The Knights have perhaps been one of the most overlooked teams in Florida, winning 12 straight and yielding just 71 points this season. Two super programs will be in action, and you know the stands will be full.
5A
No. 3 Miami Central (9-2) at No. 1 Miami Killian (12-0). Ever since the two-time defending state champion Rockets found out that they were a No. 3 seed in the region, things have not been the same. Before taking out No. 2 seed Plantation American Heritage last week, 41-28, they crushed North Miami Beach for the second time. This time of year, they rarely lose.
On the other side of this Saturday night showdown are the No. 1 seed Cougars, and while they have won all 12 games, there are still non-believers, but that score will be settled by 11 p.m. Saturday.
4A
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons (8-2) at No. 1 Miami Gulliver Prep (8-1). Ever since November 20 of last year, when Cardinal Gibbons beat Gulliver Prep, 29-7, the chip has not come off the Raiders’ shoulders.
Over 365 days to wait for this rematch, and the No. 1 seed is ready – after mauling everyone in the playoffs.
For the Chiefs, wins over state-rated Gainesville Buchholz and Venice have proven that they are capable of playing with anyone at any level. Get your popcorn!
3A
No. 3 Tallahassee Florida High (10-1) at No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (7-2). When the season started and many were asked to pick a 3A team that could end up causing some trouble – with Jacksonville Trinity Christian moving to 3A? The answer was Florida High – and the Seminoles have been very impressive as they try to get back to the state title game once again. They lost to Chaminade-Madonna two years ago in Tallahassee.
For Trinity Catholic, this is a team that lost to power Clearwater Central Catholic and Gainesville, but have rolled to seven straight wins and are at home for this contest.
1A
No. 2 Chipley (8-3) at No. 1 Baker (7-2). This could turn out to be a really good game between two teams who have played very hard to reach this third round – and while both teams can put points on the board, it will come down to defense.
Chipley has won four out of the past five games, losing only to Walton in overtime. They have scored 317 points this season – while yielding 122.
The Gators, who captured the state title last year, also has an offense that can put up points (298), but the defense has also given up 225 points.
No. 2 Pahokee (8-1) at No. 1 Hawthorne (8-0). Here is a game that really is flying way below the radar screen with the defending state runner up Hornets unbeaten and on a roll against a very impressive Blue Devils team that many have no clue about.
With the only loss coming earlier in the season to 8A Palm Beach Gardens, this is a program that has put it all together – with size and plenty of athleticism.
Hawthorne is also stacked with players and a competitive schedule. This should be a really competitive game with Pahokee traveling 245 miles for a region final contest.
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