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.
When the season started we knew we would have several local teams make the playoffs from 5A, what we didn’t know is how many would get in. Class 5A ended up being the most successful class with Ribault, Trinity, Bolles, Ponte Vedra, Baker County, Clay and Menendez all getting in.
No. 5 Wakulla at No. 4 Ribault
Photo: Tallahassee Democrat
Wakulla War Eagles (8-2)
Key players:
QB Jaylon Worsham (1346 yds passing, 12 TDs, 5 INTs) (605 yds rushing 5 TDs)
RB Cephus Greene (829yds rushing 9 TDs)
RB Lemonte Peterson (621 yds Rushing 5 Tds)
DL Kameron Burns
LB Keyshawn Greene
DB Jazonte Hicks
Ribault Trojans (7-3)
Key players:
QB Jhamaal Narsh
RB Javon Williams
DB Devon Matthews
WR Mike McCray
WR Kenneth Channelle
DB Nicholas Garner
Outlook:
There will be no shortage of fast playmakers on the field when Ribault and Wakula tangle in the first round of the playoffs . The Trojans host a very tough team in the War Eagles, and to think they might have hosted Ponte Vedra or Rickards if they would’ve just beaten Raines the last game of the season. The new high school playoffs points system dropped them to #4 and their reward is playing #5 Wakulla. Ribault has a stingy defense which has shown that they can hold opponents minimal points. However their offense has struggled this year mightily against very good teams. Wakulla has a lot of weapons on offense and can score through the air or on the ground from the quarterback position. They have struggled against elite defenses like Godby and Madison County during the year.
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No. 6 Bolles at No. 3 Trinity Christian
Bolles Bulldogs (8-2)
Key players:
QB Josiah Johnson (1236 yds passing 9 TDS 5 INTs)
WR Chris Sanders II ( 844yds rec 7 TDs)
RB Jayden McCloud (425 yds rushing 8 TDS)
RB James Omlor (882 rush yds 9 TDs)
DE Rushton Roberts
DB CJ Grimes
Trinity Christian Conquerors (7-3)
Key players:
QB Austin Thomas (1148 10 TDs, 6 INTs)
ATH Winston Sweeating (515 All purpose yds)
WR Isaiah Washington (779yds rec, 6 TDs)
RB Marcus Crowley ( 842yds rush, 8 TDs)
LB Eriq Gilyard
ATH Tyreke Johnson
Outlook:
It’s the rematch everyone has been greatly anticipating, and this time its truly win or go home. Bolles is used to playing these types of November local matchups against Raines in previous years, while Trinity usually is hosting smaller teams from out of county. So the edge goes to the Bulldogs in that department. But Trinity has won four consecutive state titles, so when the pressure has stacked up on the state’s grandest stage, the Conquerors have done just that. Bolles will have to match scoring with Trinity, and they showed against Columbia that they could do that. Trinity will look to jump out early on Bolles like they did in September, but this time not let their feet off the pedal. Both team’s are not as good as in year’s past. bolles has struggled to stop people on defense and Trinity has at times struggled to put up points on offense.
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No. 7 Ponte Vedra at No. 2 Godby
Ponte Vedra Sharks (7-3)
Key players:
QB Jack Murrah (1190yds passing, 15 TDs, 4 INTs)
ATH: Jarrett Step ( 446 yds rec 7 TDs, 829 all purpose yds)
LB Duncan Van Kouteren
Godby Cougars (9-1)
Key players:
QB Rasean Mckay (1150 yds passing, 12 TD, 2 INT)
RB Tony Street (546 yds rush, 6 TDs)
WR Cleveland Blackshear (263 yds rec 3 TDs)
DE: Kyler Laing
DE TreyLaing
Outlook:
These two teams have very contrasting styles and situations heading into their first round playoff matchup. Ponte Vedra headed by coach Mat Toblin started their season slow off of their state runner up finish last year. But the Sharks ended the 2017 regular season with a surprising upset over Bolles, in a game they had to have in order to make the playoffs. Godby started the season fast at 9-0, but fell to (4-6) Lincoln the last game of the season. It was a stunning loss, and the question is have they recovered from it? One team showed concentration and focus down the stretch while the other showed lack of focus and concentration. If this trend continues Head Coach Corey Fuller and his Cougars could have their hands full when the Sharks visit them in the first round.
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No. 8 Nature Coast at No. 1 Baker County
Baker County Wildcats (9-1)
Key players:
RB Seth Paige (996 yds rush 12 TDs )
RB Josh Haygood (924 yds rush 13 TDs )
Nature Coast Sharks (7-2)
Key players:
RB Michael Weston (1135 rush yds 13 TDs)
RB Fabien Burnett (894 yds rush 6 TDs)
Outlook:
This one is going to be a throw back to good old smash mouth football. With both teams boasting two running back that rushed for at least 900 yards in 2017, it’s no secret that Baker County and Nature Coast both like to run the football. The question is , who can gain the upper hand in that department and it may come down to defense.
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No. 5 Menendez at No. 4 Belleview
Menendez Falcons (7-3)
Key players:
QB Darian Oxendine (483yds pass, 4 TDs, 3 INTs) (994 yds rush 10TDs)
QB Michael King (362yds passing 3 TDs 5 Int)
RB Tye Edwards (619 yds rush 9 TDs)
OLB Ryan Rice
Belleview Rattlers (6-4)
Key players:
QB Corey Wilsher (937 yds pass, 11 TD 8 INT)
RB Zian King (598 yds rush)
DL Darrell Gordon
LB Dylan Burtenshaw
Outlook: There are surprises galore in this year’s playoffs thanks to the selection and points system and both these teams are those unlikely surprises. Menendez had a good season, and is trending in the right direction. They have lots of young playmakers on their team, and if they gain confidence they can hurt you. Belleview is another young team with big strike ability. they won their first district title in 15 years, so lets see if a home playoff game isn’t too overwhelming for them.
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No. 6 Clay at No. 3 Hernando
Clay Blue Devils (7-3)
Key players:
RB Aundre Carter (1613yds Rush 16 TDs
WR Ajay Belanger (659yds rec 11 TDs)
DB Raequan Williams
Photo: Hernandosun.com
Hernando (7-2)
Key players:
RB Israel Fields (803 yds rush 15 TDs)
LB Lawrence Sansone
Outlook:
Two similar teams in record and style of play take on each other in the first round. They like to score touchdowns on the ground and play defense to stop opponents. It will come down to who makes the most athletic plays in this one. Clay has the areas top rusher in Aundre Carter and they will certainly let him loose in the playoffs as they have done in year’s past with their extraordinary backfields.
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 5A
