St. Joseph Academy is hosting its first playoff game since 2006 and just its third home playoff game of all time, while also searching for its first ever playoff win in school history. A lot to take in Friday night in St. Johns County and the tiny catholic school in St. Augustine will be rocking with so much at stake.
Here is a run down of what to expect this Friday.
REGION 1-3A
No. 6 Taylor County (6-5) at No. 2 St. Joseph (9-0)
Where: St. Joseph Academy
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
About Taylor County: Taylor County is the model of consistency and a solid football program all in one, as over the last nine years the Bulldogs have made eight playoff appearances including four straight. Two years ago they struggled going 5-6 and were bounced in the first round by Trinity Christian but rebounded to go 8-4 last year before losing in the second round to FSU High. Head coach Tanner Jones has done a remarkable job this season as his team started out 1-4 but rebounded to finish 4-1 down the stretch to sneak into the playoffs. A huge reason for the turnaround has the been the play off the defense which has posted two shut outs and held four of the five teams to 8 points or less down the stretch. A trio of senior linebackers lead the defense in Devante Glover (118 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, sack, 2 INT), Kavan Thomas (127 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) and Cade Johnson (127 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks). Senior defensive lineman Joseph Morgan has also been a leader with 59 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. A balanced offense, which has run for 1,787 yards and pass for 1,706 yards, is led by senior quarterback Da’corian Bellamy, a dual threat athlete, who is 76 of 137 for 1,086 yards with 12 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions along with 768 yards and six touchdowns on 112 carries on the ground. He’s not alone though as Bellamy has plenty of weapons to chose from including junior tailback John Buddy McGrew (574 yards, 8.1 y.p.c. and 5 TD on 71 carries), junior receiver Zoe Roberts (37 catches for 648 yards, 17.5 y.p.c., 8 TD) and junior athlete Robert Glanton (1,338 all purpose yards, 5 TD). Jones has his team well tested too having played 6 playoff teams and another team independent Clearwater International Academy that is 10-0 and playing in a bowl game in Texas.
About St. Joseph: While Taylor County is the playoff veteran, St. Joseph is essentially the rookie making just its fourth all-time appearance, the Flashes are 0-3 all-time in the playoffs. You can bet everybody in St. Johns County will show up for this one as the Flashes continue to make school history in their first playoff game since 2006 and chase their first ever playoff win in the schools hundred plus year history. The Flashes played 3 playoff teams during the regular season and will certainly face their biggest test of the season going up against Taylor County. A big reason why the Flashes are undefeated is the play of the defense which has give up only 61 points and held 6 of its 8 opponents to 8 points or less. Head coach Brandon Tidwell in his second year has done an amazing job after a 4-4 inaugural season and has the Flashes rolling into the playoffs. Two key weapons for the Flashes are seniors Dylan Thibault and James Drysdale. Thibault is a dual threat quarterback who is 85 of 157 for 1,175 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while also rushing for 644 yards and 13 touchdowns on 90 carries. Drysdale can line up at receiver or in the backfield and has run for 549 yards and 9 touchdowns on 83 carries while catching 15 passes for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, the Flashes rely on a handful of guys including junior lineman Michael Mugford (58 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks), junior cornerback Christian Kes (5 INT), sophomore Dillon Ott (2 INT) and Drysdale (79 tackles, 5 tackle for a loss, 4 sacks, INT).
Joe Pinkos: Taylor County by 31
Next: St. Joseph would host Pensacola Catholic or travel to Florida High next week in the Elite 8 of the playoffs.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball,com
