Here is the first round match up for the #2 seeded 1965-1966 Bradford Torandoes and the 2004 Andrew Jackson Tigers. But first, let’s check out who won the first round match up between the 1997 Raines Vikings and the 1921 Duval High Tigers.
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Raines Over Duval High .. click here if you missed the matchup details
65′-66′ Bradford vs 04′ Jackson
Corey’s Take….
The 1965 Bradford (12-0) won back-to-back titles in 1965 and 1966 while going 25-0-1 in their last 26 games.
Under David Hurse, the Tornadoes were unstoppable on defense posting six shutouts and holding opponents to seven points or less 11 of the 12 games. The offense was lethal as well scoring at least 24 or more points in 9 of their 12 games. 
Over a three year period, the Bradford Tornadoes were unstoppable under legendary coach Hurse. Hurse won 193 games over a 29 year career at Bradford after stepping down at the end of the 1990 season.
Led by 14 year NFL veteran TE/OL Larry Brown, who won 4 Super Bowl titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Tornadoes amassed a 31-1-2 record and posted 16 shutouts on defense. Bradford didn’t run from competition either with wins over Baker County, Santa Fe, St. Augustine, Bishop Kenny, Palatka, Suwannee, Columbia, Clay, New Smyrna Beach, Orange Park, and Orlando Oak Ridge. The Tornadoes would not be intimidated by the more athletic team of the Jackson Tigers, teams hardly ever come into David Hurse Stadium and leave with a win.
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Andre’s Take…
Head Coach Kevin Sullivan and the Tigers advanced to the third round of the playoffs. They defeated Lee in the first round in OT 27-24, Godby in the second round 20-12, but fell in the third round to the eventual State Champs Bolles Bulldogs 48-6. Before you pass judgement on the way they departed the playoffs, Bolles 2004 team is considered by many to be one of the best teams of all time.
@FlaHSFootball @andreellis55 @DuvalSports @ByCoreyDavis Bolles 96, Bolles 04, Raines 97 are the best I’ve seen with my own eyes.
— Justin Barney (@JustinBarneyTU) August 4, 2016
Don’t ask me why they didn’t make the list.. ask my friend Corey that question.. (Kermit sips tea somewhere)
Anyways… Back to Jackson. The Tigers had a great run in the 2000’s. They made the playoffs 10 times from 1995 to 2010. 2004 might’ve been their finest year. No, the Florida State phenom and NFL star Leon Washington wasn’t there in 04′, but he helped show the Jackson team how to win under pressure. The Florida Mr. Football winner brought a huge spotlight to Main Street in 2001, and the team showed they could win with the bright lights on them. There is no brighter light than the Florida High School Football Playoffs! The 2004′ team took the baton and ran further than any other modern day Jackson team ever. They defeated a Lee team who had WR Craig James recruited by Louisville. Larry Blustein Special Correspondent for the Sun Sentinal said about the 2004 4A class..
“There is little doubt that 4A is again the classification to watch in the state of Florida. When at least six of the best teams are in one region (North), you know things will be competitive.” He would go on to say “Jacksonville’s Andrew Jackson and Tallahassee Godby and you can understand why playoff time will be fun to watch”.
Jackson would defeat that Godby team as well.
Rivals two star Running back Ranier Rackley powered the team on the ground on offense. 6ft 5inch, 345lb offensive lineman Larry Morgan, and O-Lineman Greg Jones Jr paved the way for Rackley. Not sure how Bradford’s going to get around them. But out of all their athletes,QB/DB Michael Hicks (Ole Miss) was that man! In 2004, he passed for more than 1,200 yards, connecting for 15 TDs, and rushed for over 300 yards, scoring six on the ground. He was credited with 50 tackles and four pass interceptions! He even returned one pick for a TD. How is Bradford going to stop him on offense and get passed him on defense? Overall, football is not about records, its about matchups. Though Stark Florida is farm country, there is nothing about Bradford that suggests they have the horses to handle the Tigers.
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We’ve made our case now it’s your turn. Tell us who you think would win out of these two great teams by voting below! Don’t forget to share your comments below on facebook!
