A Repeat For Christopher Columbus

TALLAHASSEE – The past two weeks, in games against Davie Western and Tampa Plant, Miami Christopher Columbus found points and offense tough to come by.

On Friday afternoon at the FHSAA 4M finals against Jacksonville Mandarin, the Explorers – riding the arm and legs of senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='404627' first='Alberto' last='Mendoza'], captured their second consecutive state title, a 38-19 win at Bragg Memorial Stadium on the campus of Florida A&M.

Mendoza, currently committed to James Madison University, but is headed to visit Indiana this weekend, accounted for 290 yards (141 on the ground) and was the force behind the 13-2 season.

The Explorers roared out of the gate and tried to take control in the opening half.

Junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='826543' first='Hector' last='Chavez'] was one of the new wrinkles thrown in on the first drive when he took it in from the 2 and a 7-0 lead with 8:04 left.

Christopher Columbus added to the lead with 5:22 left in the opening quarter when Agyeman Addae ran up the middle from 10 yards out and a 14-0 advantage.

The Mustangs then put together an 80-yard drive in nine plays when FSU-bound quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='826642' first='Tramell' last='Jones Jr.'] found Alabama junior commit [player_tooltip player_id='826427' first='Jamie' last='Ffrench'] from 15 yards out with 1:09 remaining.

When running back Edward Bandy took it in from 6 yards out and a 21-6 lead with 10:18 left in the second quarter.

With Columbus driving to put the game away early, the Explorers fumbled, and Mandarin drove the 86 yards in nine plays and used the legs of Tiant Wyche Jr., who took it in from 21 yards and closed out the half at 21-13.

The Explorers extended their advantage to 28-13 with 8:32 left in the third quarter.

Mandarin (11-4) took advantage of a short field after a kick return and came right back with 6:34 to score on a 30-yard pass from Jones to French. The two-point conversion failed, and it stood at 28-19.

One of the nation's best kept secrets, junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='827359' first='Bryce' last='Fitzgerald'] took a 25-yard pass from Mendoza to lift the score to 35-18 with 11:41 left.

Columbus scored against with 8:54 left when Robert Czeremcha connected from 37 yards out a 38-19 advantage.

Have to give so much credit to head coach Dave Dunn and the Christopher Columbus coaching staff for coming up with a winning game plan.

In addition to Mendoza, Edward Bandy ran for 95 yards.

Mandarin was led by Tramell Jones with 229 yards passing two scores. Ffrench caught seven balls for 101 yards and two scores. Wyche ran for 96 yards and Deshard Westcott (70 yards).

Defensively, Mandarin was led by Antoine Belgrave-Shorter (8 tackles), Drake Stubbs (8 tackles), Jackson Copeland (6 tackles), Justin Squire (6 tackles) and Israel Ratliff (6 tackles).

Chavez, Willis McGahee and Daylen Russell had 8 tackles.

Statewide Coverage Daily. https://prepredzone.com/florida/

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