Crescent City did the unthinkable and win its first playoff game since 2000, now the goal becomes to stop a 40 year streak and advance to the third round of the playoffs for just the second time in school history. Here is a rundown of what to expect from Round 2 of the playoffs this week.
REGION 4-1A
No. 4 Crescent City (9-2) at No. 1 Hawthorne (10-0)
Where: Annie Mae Phillips Stadium
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
About Crescent City: Coming off its first playoff win since 2000, you can expect the Raiders to be even more jacked up for this one as they try to stop another longtime playoff streak. The Raiders ended a eight game losing streak in the playoffs with a win last week and will now try to end another streak trying to advance to the third round for the first time since 1978. Since a second round 19-0 win on the road at West Nassau back in 1978, the Raiders have lost five consecutive road playoff games. Former Crescent City and Florida State star Pooh Bear Williams now the Crescent City head coach has made Crescent City a program to not only keep an eye on but to respect too. After missing the playoffs last season with a 7-2 season, the Raiders march into the second round of the playoffs in the midst of a five game winning streak with losses coming to University Christian and Villages, two teams also playing Friday night in the playoffs. A key for the Raiders is the defense holding the potent Hawthorne offense to as little points as possible, as the Raiders are 7-0 when they have held their opponent to 14 or points or less. Offensively, the Raiders are led by two major guys in senior athlete Bernard Wright III and junior quarterback Naykee Scott. Scott accounted for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 6 carries, while also completing 9 of 15 for 97 yards and one touchdown in the win over Fort Meade last week. Wright was on the receiving end of a 25 yard score from Scott late in the first quarter to give them a 7-0 lead. In the regular season finale win over Newberry the duo hooked up three times for scores as Scott completed 14 of 20 for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Scott has accounted for unofficially 17 total touchdowns this season so far via the air and or ground. Both Crescent City and Hawthorne have played two common opponents this season in Interlachen and Keystone Heights, with the Raiders beating both 48-12 and 20-13, while Hawthorne beat both 69-0 and 42-7 respectively.
About Hawthorne: Former Hawthorne and Florida Gator athlete Cornelius Ingram has quickly made Hawthorne into a state power over night a year after missing the playoffs back-to-back years despite winning 13 games over the previous two seasons. The Hornets were a perfect 6-0 at home this season and have posted 7 shutouts on defense, only allowing 40 points on the season so far. Hawthorne is trying to do something its only done once in school history back in 2009 advance to the third round of the playoffs. A huge reason why the Hornets are ranked No. 2 in the final state poll is the play of the defense which has accounted for 22 sacks and 7 interceptions and 7 shutouts led by senior Michael Reed (60 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 INT) and freshman Jayquan Williams (50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, INT). The offense has put up video game numbers behind senior quarterback Kahleil Jackson (109 of 173 for 2,310 yards, 38 TD, 3 INT), 26 carries for 401 yards, 7 TD), a semifinalist for the inaugural Scott Brantley award, which is given to the best player in the seven county Ocala/Gainesville area. Jackson has a trio of receivers to work with including junior Jeremiah James (29 catches for 757 yards, 26.1 y.p.c., 11 TD), senior Devonte Bowie (33 catches for 598 yards, 181. y.p.c., 12 TD) and senior Alphonso Williams (20 catches for 416 yards, 20.8 y.p.c., 6 TD). Senior tailback Uveekie Fields (83 carries for 1,036 yards, 12.5 y.p.c., 18 TD, 12 catches for 334 yards, 5 TD) could also be a x factor in the game if Crescent City is able to slow down the passing game.
Joe Pinkos: Hawthorne by 18
Next: Crescent City would travel to Pahokee or host Wildwood in Elite 8 of the playoffs next week.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
