Review: State championship standouts

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.