SEFFNER – For three quarters, St. Augustine went toe-to-toe with perennial state power Armwood before finally running out of gas in the fourth quarter.
In the only statewide game featuring two undefeated teams; fans, players and coaches were treated to a thriller before Armwood put it away 30-6 with two late fourth quarter scores.
Armwood represents what St. Augustine is trying to become, as the three time state champs (2003, 2004, 2011) and five time state runner-ups advanced to their ninth state title game since 2003.
St. Augustine knew it was going to be tough challenge trying to stop Armwood offensively and scoring on the Hawks stout defense.
Armwood didn’t make it any easy scoring on the first possession of the game as Wayne Dennis hauled in a 7 yard pass from Devin Black giving the Hawks a 6-0 lead five minutes into the game.
St. Augustine high powered and lethal offense consisting of quarterback Austin Reed, tailback Dexter Brown and receivers Cedrin Daniel and Karim Brown had a hard time against the powerful Armwood defense.
Reed got Armwood to jump off sides on a hard count to give the Yellow Jackets offense a first down but it was short lived as the Jackets were forced to punt it away a few plays later.
That was the kind of night it was for the Jackets, who scored 534 points and at least 31 points in every game, yet was held to a season low six on the night.
A personal foul on the Hawks forced third and goal from the 22, but Armwood still managed to score increasing the lead to 16-0 three minutes into the second quarter.
Just when it looked like the Jackets offense was finally starting to click as Dexter Brown broke a 30 yard run and Kareem Brown hauled in his first catch for a short gain putting them near midfield, the Hawks defense forced a fumble at the 48-yard line.
Armwood tacked on a 33 yard field goal just before half giving the Hawks a 16-0 halftime lead.
Despite being locked down on offense, the Jackets were still somehow end the game thanks to its own defense.
St. Augustine (13-1) usually the beneficiary of turnovers and not the one making the turnovers, couldn’t hold onto the ball and turned it over a few times on the night.
As the clock rolled into the fourth quarter, the Jackets were still in the game and desperately needing a score to get some confidence and momentum.
Black found tailback Brian Snead (Ohio State commit) for a 14 yard completion on the first play of the fourth quarter increasing the Hawks lead to 23-0 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Reed answered the Hawks score finding Kareem Brown all alone for a 60 yard completion cutting the lead to 23-6 a minute later.
However, the Hawks quickly took the momentum back as Jerome Ford returned the ensuing kickoff back 70 yards for a score and 30-6 lead seconds later.
The kick return was the final nail on the season for the Jackets, who weren’t able to recover from it after just cutting the lead to 17 with 10 minutes to go.
Armwood (14-0) advances to its ninth all-time state finals appearance and will play Miami Northwestern in the Class 6A state final Friday at 8 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
