Hawthorne Gets Elusive State Title

Over the past seven years, Hawthorne High's football team had compiled an impressive 65-14 record.

In that time, including this season, the Hornets have been 12-0, 10-1, 10-3, 8-4, 12-1, 7-2 and 6-3. For all their success, they have never been able to bring home the grand prize – a state championship. That ended on Saturday night at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.

The Hornets capped off an unbeaten season with a 13-2 win over previously unbeaten Bratt Northview.

It was all about defense and timely offense that finally gave head coach Cornelius Ingram and his impressive football team a coveted state title.

Hawthorne got on the board first with 8:05 left in the first quarter on a five-yard run by Brian James and a 6-0 advantage.

The Chiefs made it 6-2 with :17 left in the opening quarter when Carson Burkett jumped on a Ga'mon Randall fumble for a safety.

With a defensive first half, both teams headed to the half with the Hornets clinging to the 6-2 advantage.

At the intermission, Hawthorne had 9 first downs to Northview's 4. Hawthorne compiled 154 yards and Northview just 66.

Quarterback Kaden Odom completed three balls for 29 yards for Northview.

Hawthorne did their job in the first half on the ground with James (56 yards), Darian Smith-Williams (50 yards) and Keenon James (39 yards).

On defense, Luke Bridges (7 tackles), Kaden Odom and Joe Wright (5 tackles).

Wyatt Scruggs has an interception.

The Hornets were led in the first half by Washington State commit Jailen Ruth Jailen Ruth 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Hawthorneschoo | 2023 State FL (4 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and Tyrique Robinson (4 tackles)

LOOKING FOR MORE IN THE SECOND HALF

After continuing the defensive theme for the game, the Hornets broke through with 5:26 left in the third quarter when Cornelius Ingram Jr. took it from the 1 and a 13-2 advantage. It would be the final score of the game and wrapped up the season for both teams.

FINAL STATS
Hawthorne finished with 14 first downs and Northview ended with 12.

The Hornets had 247 total yards and the Chiefs finished with 205.

NORTHVIEW:

Odom completed 8 passes for 119 yards.

Scruggs ended with 45 yards receiving yards. Jamarkus Jefferson had 36. Maliki Haynes ended with 34.

Jefferson ran for 49 yards, Odom had 40 and Bridges finished with 28.

Defensively, Odom had 17 tackles, and Odom and Wright contributed with 8.

NORTHVIEW

Ingram ended the night with 39 yards on 4 attempts.

James had 91 yards. Smith finished with 57. Johnson ended with 52. Isaiah Donaldson chipped in with 44.

On defense, Smith and Ruth ended with 7 tackles and Robinson had 6.

NORTHVIEW CHIEFS (13-1)

FLOMATIN, ALABAMA, W 48-33

Pensacola Lighthouse Private Christian Academy, W 37-0

Cantonment Tate, W 34-25

ELBERTA, ALABAMA, W 49-24

BAKER, W 49-10

Blountstown, W 49-0

Jay, W 49-13

PANAMA CITY BAY, W 41-6

BONIFAY HOLMES COUNTY, W 34-26

CHIPLEY, W 42-6

LAKE BUTLER UNION COUNTY, W 21-11

Hawthorne, L 13-2

HAWTHORNE HORNETS (12-0)

Middleburg, W 24-7

Jacksonville Terry Parker, W 36-18

Orlando Christian Prep, W 14-11 (OT)

GAINESVILLE P.K. YONGE, W 46-6

ST. PETERSBURG GIBBS, W 21-12

Lake Butler Union County, W 28-21

CITRA NORTH MARION, W 13-0

TITUSVILLE ASTRONAUT, W 52-0

WILDWOOD, W 33-15

PAHOKEE, W 21-20

BLOUNTSTOWN, W 28-0

Bratt Northview, W 13-2

PHOTO COURTESY OF Joshua Wilson Joshua Wilson 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Navarre | 2025 FL , FloridaHSFootball.com

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/florida/rankings/2023-rankings/

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS. https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/updated-2024-florida-rankings/

You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com