GAINESVILLE – The road to Orlando officially begins this week for several playoff teams, we begin by breaking down each classification. First round games kick of this weekend all over the state, including around town as teams start their conquest of getting to Camping World Stadium.
Top seeded Raines looks to continue it course to Orlando with a tuneup with newcomer North Bay Haven, while arch-rivals Keystone Heights and Bradford County renew their rivalry in the postseason and West Nassau is hosting a playoff game for the first time in forty years.
REGION I-4A
No. 4 North Bay Haven at No. 1 Raines
North Bay Haven (5-4)
Key players: lineman Tyler Pegnataro, lineman/kicker Trey Egert, lineman Vince Weaver, athlete Ty Boles, linebacker Denzel Moore, linebacker Anthony Hill, quarterback Ray Tynan, receiver Lionel Ricks
Outlook: Just as the paint is barely dry and the construction continues on the school; the development of the football program continues as well. Head coach Jeff Lee who took over in 2015 and began with a winless season, is slowly building something special in Panama City, guiding the Buccaneers to five wins and a bowl game last season. A year later the Bucs make their first ever trip to the playoffs in the programs fifth year of existence and were rewarded with a trip to state power Raines. Coach Lee says his teams runs a diamond offense and a 3-5 on defense. They will have to no doubt play their best game of the season to pull of the stunner with such an inexperienced team but is looking forward to the challenge.
Raines Vikings (9-1)
Key players: quarterback Ivory Durham (2407 yards, 27 TDs/4 INTs, 270 rushing/8 TDs), athlete George Webb (597 receiving/8 TDs, 4 return TDs), tailback Brandon Marshall (1,059 yards/12 TDs), receiver Kamaree Noble (561 yards/6 TDs), Javon Bonsell (56 tackles, 10 sacks), Raynell Killian (33 tackles, 3 INTs)
Outlook: Since an opening season loss to Lee, the Vikings have reeled off nine straight wins and have lots of momentum after whipping arch-rival Ribault this past weekend. The road to Orlando for Raines isn’t a bumpy one at all providing they stay well grounded and not overlook any opponent. The challenge for any opponent is figuring out who to try to stop with so many weapons on offense including Durham, Webb, Marshall, Noble and receiver Matt Drayton. Bonsell has become a force on defense and teams are having a hard time figuring out how to stop him as well as the rest of a defense that has accumulated 49 sacks.
No. 3 Marianna at No. 2 West Nassau
Marianna Bulldogs (5-4)
Key players: tailback Werlean Pollock, linebacker Deonte Hardy, quarterback Marquis Kelly, linebacker Deontre Rhynes, linebacker Mileak Wimes, defensive back Branden Allen
Outlook: Marianna started out 2-3, but rebounded to finish 3-1 down the stretch to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years. Like its opponent, its been nearly a decade since the Bulldogs last made the playoffs and they will be hungry for a win also. Not much is known about Marianna, other than they have a well known basketball tradition that brings huge crowds on the road and consistently makes deep playoff runs, including a win on the road at Raines last year in the Elite 8.
West Nassau Warriors (8-1)
Key players: quarterback Walker Wright (658 passing/11 TD/3 INTs, 374 rushing/6 TDs), Kyler Crosby (1222 yards/13 TDs), Levi Mumford (84 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks), Garrett Anderson (72 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), Jeremy Starling (59 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks)
Outlook: The small town and community of Callahan will be rocking as West Nassau plays their first home playoff game since a 19-0 second round loss in 1878 to Crescent City. The Warriors will try to stop an eight game losing playoff skid as well, having not won a playoff game since the opening round win in 1978 on the road at Hamilton County. The triple option offense has accumulated 2,790 yards and 26 touchdowns thanks to the combination of Wright and Crosby; while the potent defense led by Mumford, Anderson and Starling has 28 sacks, 4 shut outs and only allowed 2 teams to score more than 22 point on them. Playing ball control and sustaining long scoring drives as well as sound defense could play right into a Warriors victory.
REGION 2-4A
No. 4 Keystone Heights at No. 1 Bradford
Keystone Heights Indians (4-5)
Key players: tailback Blake Sanders (823 yards/10 TDs), tailback Ty Friedlin (606 yards/3 TDs), tailback Briar Smith (505 yards/4 TDs), Kaison Harvey (4 INTs, 30 tackles), Alex Cruz (52 tackles, 2 tackles for loss)
Outlook: At 2-5 it looked virtually impossible Keystone Heights would make the playoffs, but some help along the way along coupled with a two game winning streak helped the Indians sneak into the playoffs. Ironically, its biggest cheerleader last Friday was its arch-rival Bradford as they both needed each other to win to get enough points for the playoffs. The Indians, coached by Chuck Dickinson, have rushed for 2,137 yards and 23 touchdowns thanks in part to Sanders, Friedlin and Smith. The trio will be heavily counted on to not only score but help keep the potent Bradford offense off the field as well. It will be a tough task for the Indians, who lost 33-0 to Bradford in Week 3 and are 0-8 all-time in the playoffs.
Bradford County Tornadoes (8-1)
Key players: quarterback Zion Barber (1019 yards/16 TDs/5 INts, 479 rushing/7 TDs), tailback Jeremiah Vaughn (765 yards/10 TDs), tailback Tally Chandler (690 yards/7 TDs), receiver Chris Cummings (650 yards/13 TDs, 4 INTs), Taro Ward (82 tackles, 2 INTs), Jacquez Mosley (67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss)
Outlook: Bradford County was no doubt one of the surprising teams this season after several starters transferred before the season and also a new coach was brought in as well. Brian Tomlinson has done a remarkable job keeping the momentum going now with the Tornadoes third straight playoff appearance. The offense is nearly 2-1 ratio in run to pass with 2,282 rushing/1107 passing, but the Tornadoes run well with Barber, Vaughn and Chandler. While the defense featuring Ward and Mosley has locked teams down giving up only 119 points all season, 11.0 points per game. A season opening loss to playoff participant Taylor County has been all but forgotten after eight straight wins including wins over playoff teams Fort White and West Nassau.
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 4A
