The state finals came and went this year and South Florida made their mark. Of the eight classifications to hold a state title game, seven of the winners came from either Dade or Broward County.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas went down 14-0 to Orlando Edgewater before coming back and winning. Miami Christopher Columbus came from behind and won in the waning seconds. Not to be outdone Miami Booker T. Washington also fell behind 21-10 and eventually won their game. Chaminade Madonna, Miami Central and Chapaganat all added to their trophy cases by winning by double digits in their games.
What was most impressive about both state final weekends were the rushing totals put up by all the running backs. Two running backs, Thad Franklin and Treven Smith, both broke the rushing record in the state title game on back to back nights. Where more and more teams like to pass the ball it was the rushing attacks that helped lead most of these teams to state title wins. Below is a breakdown of some of the best performances from both weekends and players who shined.
QB: Torey Morrison: Booker T. Washington: 27-42-1 Int (2TD / 275 Yards)
QB: Ryle Aguilla: Champagnat Catholic: 9-16-153 Yards (3 TD)
RB: Jaquan Lowman : Apopka – 24 Rushes -249 Yards (10.4 Average)
RB: Isaiah Connelly: Orlando Edgewater – 28 Rushes-160 Yards (4.7 Average)
RB: Anthony Hankerson: Saint Thomas Aquinas – 27 Rushes-193 Yards (3 TD/ 7.0 Average)
RB: Kejon Owens: Miami Central – 10 Rushes-165 Yards Rushing (3 TD / 16.5 Average)
RB: Thad Franklin-Chaminade Madonna: 47 Carries-343 Yards-(5 TD/ 7.1 Average)
RB-Vinsonta Allen: Madison County: 13 Rushes-247 Yards: 5 TD
WR: Xavier Henderson: Christopher Columbus – 8 Receptions: 105 Yards
WR: Christian Leary: Orlando Edgewater: 5 Receptions: 54 Yards / 6 Rushes -141 Yards (23.5 Avg.) 2 TD
WR: Tommi Hill: Orlando Edgewater: 8 Receptions: 102 Yards- 1 TD
WR: Marcus Rosemy: Saint Thomas Aquinas: 6 Receptions: 68 Yards – Game winning TD
OL: Marcus Dumerville: Saint Thomas Aquinas
OL: Marlon Martinez: Saint Thomas Aquinas
OL: Laurence Seymore: Miami Central
OL: David Anderton: Orlando Edgewater
OL: Zane Herring: Madison County (FSU commitment)
Co-Offensive MVP: Henry Parrish : Christopher Columbus: 11 Catches – 53 Yards – 2 Touchdowns
Amari Daniels: Miami Central: 16 Carries-190 Yards- 4 Touchdowns : 11.8 Average
Comments: Daniels’ first touch in the game went over 80 yards for a touchdown. He scored four more times and led Miami Central over Escambia for another state title for the Rockets. With this win there should be conversations about Roland Smith and being one of the all-time great high school coaches. He has now won five state championship as a head coach. The other MVP is none other than Henry Parrish. He has been special this year in leading Columbus to their first state title. His two touchdowns helped Columbus come from behind. He usually does it on the ground but it was as a receiver where Parrish did most of his damage.
Honorable Mention:
QB: Brandon McDuffey: Christopher Columbus: 34-47 275 Yards: 2 TD
Ath.-DT Gideon: Escambia: 12 Receptions – 251 Yards: 1TD
RB-Frank Peasant: Escambia: 22 Rushes-94 Yards: 2 TD
RB-Treven Smith-Blountstown: 25 Rushes-365 Yards: 5 TD
RB-Avarius Sparrow: Orlando Jones: 23 Rushes-122 Yards: 2 TD
RR: Cornelius Shaw-Victory Christian:27 Rushes- 117 Yards: 1TD
WR: Zechariah Jones: Madison County: 3 Receptions-125 Yards: 2 TD
WR: Jacorey Brooks: Booker T. Washington: 13 Receptions-94 Yards: 2 TD
WR: Eddie Arza: Booker T. Washington: 6 Receptions-81 Yards
WR: Marcus Fleming: Miami Northwestern: 7 Receptions- 95 Yards: 1 td
Defense
DL: Jamaal Johnson: Chaminade: 9 Tackles-1.0 Sacks-2.5 Tackles for loss
DL: Evan Anderson: Orlando Jones: 4 Tackles, 1 PBU, 1 QB Hurry
DL: Logan Tramel: Booker T. Washington: 7 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 TFL, 1 QB Hurry
DL: Jesus Machado: Champagnat Catholic: 13 Tackles, 1 Sack 1 TFL, 1 Forced Fumble
LB: Derek Wingo: Saint Thomas Aquinas: 4 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 2 Tackles for loss
LB: K. Mitchell: Madison County: 15 Tackles
LB: Mack Marrone: Bolles: 5 Tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 PBU
LB: Terrance Lewis: Miami Northwestern: 5 Tackles, 1 TFL
DB-Trevon Allen: Miami Central: 6.5 Tackles, 2.5 TFL, Forced Fumble
DB-Ahmari Harvey: Florida High: 6.0 Tackles
DB: Caden Fordham: Bolles: 7 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
DB: Jaquae Williams: Orlando Jones: 6.5 Tackles
Ath.:Jalen Harrell: Champagnat Catholic: 8 Tackles: 1.0 TFL
Ath. Walter Phillips: Champagnat Catholic: 10 Tackles
Honorable Mention
DL: Tyre Herriell-Victory Christian: 10 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for loss
Ath: Jaydon Hunter: Victory Christian: 8 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 Tackles for loss
DL: Elijah Roberts: Christopher Columbus: 3.5 Tackles
DL: Travion Barnes: Apopka: 8 Tackles, 1 TFL
DL: Jalen Carter: Apopka: 3 Tackles
LB: Dustin Vinas: Christopher Columbus: 8.5 Tackles, 2 Tackles for loss
Comments: When Miami Northwestern played Orlando Jones, the one player we did not expect to have a big game was Evan Anderson. While the stat sheet may not show it, Anderson was a disruptive force all game long. He forced Northwestern into many long-yardage situations after trying to run the ball. Not to be outdone was the performance from Jamaal Johnson. He dominated for Chaminade in the Class 3A State finals. He will be back at Chaminade next fall and looks to bring another title back to South Florida.
Bob Ferrante
Charles adds that the following are FSU targets who played in the state championship games the last two weekends:
Amari Daniels – 2021 RB
Thad Franklin – 2021-RB
Christian Leary – 2021-Ath. – Holds an FSU offer
Tommi Hill – 2021 – WR – Holds an FSU offer
Marcus Fleming – 2020-WR – Visited FSU last week
Jamaal Johnson – 2022 – DE
Terrance Lewis – 2021 – LB – Holds an FSU offer
Ahmari Harvey – 2021 – DB – Goes to nearby Florida High, holds an FSU offer
joseph johnston
Lots of stats for the HS championship gme but unless I missed it, WHO WON over WHO?
Bob Ferrante
Class 1A Championship – Saturday, Dec. 7
Madison County (Madison) def. Blountstown, 70-35
Class 2A Championship – Thursday, Dec. 5
Champagnat (Hialeah) def. Victory Christian (Lakeland), 35-14 Box Score | Bracket
Class 3A Championship – Friday, Dec. 6
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) def. Florida High (Tallahassee), 35-20 Box Score | Bracket
Class 4A Championship – Wednesday, Dec. 11
Washington (Miami) def. Bolles (Jacksonville), 25-21 Box Score | Bracket
Class 5A Championship – Saturday, Dec. 14
Miami Northwestern def. Jones (Orlando), 34-17 Box Score | Bracket
Class 6A Championship – Thursday, Dec. 12
Miami Central def. Escambia (Pensacola), 62-27
Class 7A Championship – Saturday, Dec. 14
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) def. Edgewater (Orlando), 28-23
Class 8A Championship – Friday, Dec. 13
Columbus (Miami) def. Apopka, 21-20