ORLANDO-Pahokee used a suffocating defense and just enough offense to claim its seventh overall state title in a 34-21 win over Baker in the 1A state championship game at Camping World Stadium.
A pair of Rodney McKay touchdown runs (6, 10) gave the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Baker (13-1) wouldn’t go away though as the Gators struck back on a bizarre play.
Gators quarterback Kaylee Ciurleo was hit and stripped of the ball, the ball moved forward and into the hands of center Gabe Vicari, who bulldozed his way in for 3 yards to cut the lead to 14-7.
Unfortunately, Pahokee (14-0) had an answer as Tyrone Smith connected with Tyrone Arnett for a 49 yard strike as Arnett wiggled his way between two defenders and tight roped the sideline untouched for the score and 21-7 lead.
After seeing the lead shrink to 27-14, the Blue Devils put it away with a defensive score as Roy Walker stepped in front of wide receiver and returned Ciurleo pass 53 yards for the clinching score and 34-14 lead with 4:27 left in the game.
The win moves Pahokee into a tie for fourth place overall with 7 state titles joining Glades Day and North Florida Christian. Just ahead of them are Bolles (11), St. Thomas Aquinas (9) and University Christian (8).
Pahokee wins 7th state title first since 2008. Becomes the first public school in Florida to win 7 titles.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) December 8, 2016
Pahokee celebrating pic.twitter.com/aCcasf9yF2
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) December 8, 2016
Pahokee celebrating more pic.twitter.com/x2TBl1OM7f
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) December 8, 2016
Pahokee 34, Baker 21
P: Rodney McKay 6 yard run (Ezekiel Hernandez kick) 7-0
P: Rodney McKay 10 yard run (Hernandez kick) 14-0
B: Gabe Vicari 3 yard run (Joshua Springle kick) 14-7
P: Tyron Arnett 49 pass from Tyrone Smith (Hernandez kick) 21-7
B: Kalee Ciurleo 1 yard run (Joshua Springle kick) 21-14
P: Jim Travis Gray 1 yard run (pass failed) 27-14
P: Roy Walker 53 yard interception return (H kick) 34-14
B: Logan Rickmon 10 pass from Ciurleo (Springle kick) 34-21
