It’s not every day that you get to see two number one ranked teams in the state take on each other in the regular season. But for the fans of High School Football in North East Florida, that day happens to be today as the Trinity Christian Conquerors travel across town to face the University Christian Christians.
Trinity comes into the contest being ranked the #1 small school in the nation by Max Preps. They are also ranked #1 in the 3A Division of the AP Florida High School Football Poll . 
Head Coach Verlon Dorminey lead his team to back to back State titles in 2013 & 2014, and many believe they will 3 peat this year thanks to an impressive group of returning starters as acquisitions. Quarterback Billy Cobb has thrown for 536 yards and three touchdowns on the season. He’s been protected well by the offensive line, but Cobb relies more so on his quick release in getting the ball into the hands of the ball carriers. He has a slew of weapons including Wide Receiver #1 D.J Mathews who came over from First Coast this summer. Running Back Rasheed Martin who’s powered a rushing attack that showcased him last week at the pace of 193 yds rushing and 3 touchdowns in their win against Ribault. But if you attempt to solely focus on him they also have
running backs Daequauntae Showers, and Jalin Buie to provide a change of pace and style to make any defense go nuts. Just ask Trinity Catholic of Ocala, whom the Conquerors wiped the floor with the first week of the season. On defense, the conquerors rely on turnovers to get the ball back in their offenses hands. MLB Eriq Gilyard (son of former White QB Roshard Gilyard c.o.99) returned a fumble against Ribault last week for a touchdown. Play makers Shaun Wade and Chamarri Conner roam a secondary that not only can cover but can lay the wood as well. And Dominique Ross leads the charge from in the box at OLB/DE that has so far stopped everyone they’ve faced from running the ball. Yet that may be a tall order tonight against University Christian.
U.C has the number three rusher in the city in Hussein Howe. Last week, Howe scored four touchdowns in U.C’s route of Arlington Country Day (75-0). But as talented as Howe is he credits his offensive line has the source behind his success on the ground. Assembled on the Christian’s offensive line are twins Alex and Andrew Wilcox they provide the push up front needed for Howe to find his lanes. 
Anchoring the offensive line is tackle Tysheem Myers a key returning starter on the line. It will be charged to this unit to control the time of possession and keep Trinity’s offense off the field. Their defense led by Howe who also plays OLB and CB in addition to running-back has shown they can stifle opponents. Arlington Country Day, and Providence are first hand witnesses to what the christian’s defense can do. They’ve yielded -19 yards rushing on the season. That’s right, negative nineteen! Senior Linebacker Tyre Curry will look to hold down the middle of the defense to allow D.J Stubbs to go to work in the air. He has two interceptions on the season for U.C. Also on defense is LB Titus Curry, linebacker MJ Marshall and DE Ryan Brooks #11 who all contribute to the christian’s #1 ranked defense in the city. They will be tested mightily tonight.
Coach David Penland III heads a team who’s seniors were freshman when they won the state title in 2012. They know how to win, and they know what it takes to be champions. But Trinity is the reigning two time champions, 
and they have a wealth of experience and knowledge on their side as well. Still, Penland or DP3 as his team affectionately calls him remains optimistic…
” This is the first time in my coaching career at U.C that they are mentally prepared; they think they can beat them, they believe they can beat them, so we’ll line it up Friday night and play Trinity to the best of our ability. I think it’s going to be a good game, I don’t think its going to be like the past, I think its going to come down to the end”.
