TALLAHASSEE- They might be three hours apart, but North Florida Christian and University Christian have a long storied history together. The two programs meet for the fifteenth time in the playoffs this Friday with a berth in the state semi-finals at stake.
There shouldn’t be any pre game talk needed for this one, as for the eighth straight year somebody’s season will come to an end in this game.
This game is personal for both teams, as you can bet North Florida Christian remembers what has happened the last three years and you can be assured University Christian still hasn’t forgotten what happened in 2013 and 2014. University Christian has won three in a row in the series and four of the last six as well, to tie the all-time playoff series at 7 all.
How big is this game, in 13 of the 14 previous meetings the winner went on to advance to the state semifinals and in 8 of the 14 meetings the winner went on to advance to the state title game with six of those resulting in a state championship.
Between the two, the two programs have combined for 17 state titles with University Christian winning 10 of them including titles in 2015 and 2016.
Series: Tied 7-7
1986: NFC 32, UC 12 (first round)
1987: UC 20, NFC 7 (first round)
1989: UC 47, NFC 6 (first round)
1990: UC 34, NFC 15 (first round)
2003: NFC 27, UC 23 (second round)
2005: NFC 24, UC 22 (second round)
2006: NFC 49, UC 21 (second round)
2011: NFC 47, UC 21 (first round)
2012: UC 44, NFC 31 (second round)
2013: NFC 28, UC 14 (second round)
2014: NFC 44, UC 27 (second round)
2015: UC 38, NFC 30 (second round)
2016: UC 32, NFC 14 (second round)
2017: UC 26, NFC 13 (second round)
REGION I-2A
No. 3 University Christian Christians (8-4) at No. 1 North Florida Christian Eagles (6-4)
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Eagle’s Field
About UC: For the second straight week, No. 3 University Christian returns to Tallahassee this time to take on its arch nemesis North Florida Christian in their annual playoff meeting. The jerseys may look the same and the coaches are the same but the players are not, meaning despite recent familiarity these two couldn’t be anymore different. As the lone representative in the Class 2A playoffs, University Christian knew the road to getting back to Orlando had to go through Tallahassee each round. After dismantling Niceville Rocky Bayou 56-12 in the first round, the Christians made the three hour trip to Tallahassee last week to knock off previously undefeated Maclay 47-21, the road gets a little tougher with another trip to Tallahassee this week against nemesis NFC. The Christians won’t be fazed though having played 7 playoff teams in the regular season, 3 of which are still playing this week including Madison County, Foundation Academy and Bolles. After battling injuries all season long and resembling more of 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 (109 of 189 for 1,786 yards, 19 TD, 5 INT) leads the Christians offense along with junior tailback Max McClendon (837 yards, 14 TD, 6.5 y.p.c. on 128 carries), senior receiver Jaedon Stoshak (33 catches for 618 yards, 16.1 y.p.c., 9 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.
Schedule
Aug 17 at Metrolina, NC 34-16
Aug 24 Bolles 7-47
Aug 31 at Wildwood 64-28
Sept 7 at Crescent City 33-15
Sept 14 NFEI 47-0
Sept 21 Pierson Taylor 45-7
Sept 28 Bradford 20-34
Oct 12 at Foundation Academy 34-14
Oct 19 Madison County 17-19
Nov 2 at Clay 31-34
Nov 9 Rocky Bayou (1st Rd) 56-12
Nov 16 at Maclay (2nd Rd) 47-21
Nov 23 at NFC (3rd Rd) TBD
About NFC: Here we go again they say as for the eighth straight year, these two will meet for the right to move on in the playoffs. To get here North Florida Christian, coached by Steve Price, started with a bye in the playoffs and then a 38-6 win over rival FAMU, the 25th straight win over the Rattlers. Junior quarterback J.D. Jerry lead the Eagles to the win last week throwing three touchdown passes including a 39 yard score to Tredarious Langston, a 20 yard strike to Deangelo Mitchell and a 28 yard strike to Deandre McCray. Don’t turn the ball over to NFC as the Eagles converted three turnovers into 12 points with a 109 yard interception return by Mitchell and two safeties on bad snaps. Senior Deon Cosby leads the Eagles offense with 680 yards and 4 touchdowns on 127 carries; while defensively, a couple of guys to keep an eye on are seniors Mitchell (56 tackles, 6 INT), Quan Myrick (83 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, sack), TJ Ward (73 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and Von Hayes (5 INT, 35 tackles). Don’t be fooled by the Eagles record as 8 of the 10 opponents made the playoffs; Zephyrhills Christian, Valwood (GA) and South Walton all lost last week in the playoffs, while FSU, Port St Joe and Jefferson County are still playing this week in the Elite 8, Autauga Academy is playing for a Alabama state championship this week and Clearwater Academy finished 11-0 as an independent and won a bowl game in Texas last week.
Schedule
Aug 24 Autauga Academy 16-6
Aug 31 at Zephyrhills Christian 6-20
Sept 7 at Valwood 31-7
Sept 14 Clearwater International 14-52
Sept 21 at Providence 28-21
Sept 28 South Walton 30-0
Oct 5 at Florida High 14-19
Oct 19 Jefferson County 28-13
Nov 2 Port St Joe 24-7
Nov 16 FAMU (2nd Rd) 38-6
Nov 23 U.C. (3rd Rd)
Joe Pinkos: U.C. by 7
Next: UC would travel to Victory Christian-Foundation Academy winner in the state semifinals next Friday.
Helmets courtesy of FloridaHSFootball.com
