University Christian moved one step closer to winning its eleventh state title with a commanding win last week over Rocky Bayou, now the Christians will make the first of an expected two trips to Tallahassee this week in the second round of the playoffs.
REGION 1-2A
No. 3 University Christian (7-4) at No. 2 Tallahassee Maclay (10-0)
Where: Frank Shaw Field
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
About U.C.: As the lone representative in the Class 2A playoffs, University Christian knows the road to getting back to Orlando will go literally go through Tallahassee each round. After dismantling Niceville Rocky Bayou last week 56-12 at home, the road gets a little tougher with a trip to Tallahassee this week against undefeated Maclay. The Christians won’t be fazed though having played 7 playoff teams in the regular season, 6 of which are still playing this week including Madison County, Foundation Academy, Crescent City, Bolles, Wildwood and Metrolina Christian. After battling injuries all season long and resembling more a MASH Unit then a football team, U.C. is finally healthy again and looking dangerous. The Christians offense is quite balanced having rushed for 1,690 yards and passed for 1,518 yards in the regular season, averaging 320 yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Ridge Jacobs (101 of 175 for 1,5550 yards, 14 TD, 5 INT) leads the Christians offense along with junior tailback Max McClendon (837 yards, 14 TD, 6.5 y.p.c. on 128 carrries), senior receiver Jaedon Stoshak (29 catches for 485 yards, 16.1 y.p.c., 5 TD) and junior receiver Kentrelle Williams (19 catches for 336 yards, 17.1 y.pc., 3 TD). A huge reason for the Christians success on offense is a massive offensive line led by seniors Caleb Thomas (6-3, 275) and Allan Adams (6-4, 280) that has not only paved way for McClendon but also Maurice Shingles (262 yards, 6 TD, 5.7 y.p.c. on 46 carries) and Williams (263 yards, 7.3 y.p.c., 5 TD, on 30 carries). Defensively, the Christians are giving up 219 yards a game including 1,266 rushing yards and 929 passing yards, led by the play of Stoshak, who has a second area best 8 interceptions from his free safety position. Senior defensive end Derrick Stumph (44 tackles, 8 sacks), sophomore linebacker Joe Carter (55 tackles, 3 sacks), junior linebacker Jackie Dinh (62 tackles, 3 sacks) lead the defense front seven. University Christian has won ten state titles during its time including titles in 1973, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2012, 2015 and 2016, along with two state runner-up finishes in 1990 and 2017.
About Maclay: What a turnaround Lance Ramer has done in just three short years taking a Marauder program which was 2-9 in 2015 and has steadily improved them each year going 3-7 in 2016, 5-5 in 2017 to 10-0 this season. Ramer may have not had playoff aspirations this year though as the schedule wasn’t challenging at all, as Maclay played only one playoff team this season in Aucilla Christian, whom was eliminated last week by Florida A&M in the first round. That’s not to say this Maclay team isn’t talented at all but the weak schedule may not truly represent who they really are. Offensively, the Marauders are well balanced averaging 172 yards rushing and passing a game, led by junior quarterback Brecht Heuchan (78 of 126 for 1,687 yards, 19 TD, 3 INT). Other players to keep an eye on are junior tailback Ian Widener (392 yards, 6.0 y.p.c., 11 TD on 65 carries) and sophomore Kennan Milford (20 catches for 488 yards, 24.9 y.p.c., 9 TD). One guy who could play a huge roll in the game is junior athlete Robert Parker-Crawford, who has accounted for 1,583 all purpose yards and 18 touchdowns so far from his tailback position. Crawford is dangerous on offense and brings the ability to not only burn a team on the ground (542 yards, 13.9 y.p.c., 8 TD on 39 carries) but also catching passes as well having been on the end of 24 catches for 601 yards, 25.0 y.p.c. and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, the Marauders are led by senior Mark Scott Jr. (77 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks), junior linebacker Harrison Tate (86 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, sack, INT), junior end David Durden (36 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), Milford (6 INT) and Crawford (42 tackles, INT). Maclay is 0-2 all-time in the playoffs including a 44-13 loss to Trinity Christian in 2014 and 59-6 loss to University Christian in 2015.
Joe Pinkos: U.C. by 27
Next: U.C. would travel to NFC or host FAMU in the Elite 8 of the playoffs
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com and Maclay
