ORLANDO- With 1:17 to play in the game, Brandon Mc Duffey hit Xzavier Henderson on a 9-yard touchdown pass to pull Columbus too within two points 37-35 of Mandarin. The Explorers still needed a two-point conversion to tie the game, as Mandarin braced for the biggest play of their season. As the crowd held its breath, McDuffey took the snap and ran an option to his right, pitching the ball to his tailback; but standing in his way was linebacker Jerome Joley who tackled the ball carrier in the backfield to the roar of the crowd. Mandarin would recover the attempted on-side kick and quarterback Carson Beck would convert a quarterback sneak on third and one to end the game as Mandarin won its first ever state championship.
Mandarin did it!! History!! State Champs!! 37-35 over Columbus! pic.twitter.com/zLGgCOaNyE
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
Fittingly it was Beck that made the last play as he had an incredible night hitting receiver after receiver on play after play as Beck finished 25 of 36 for 329 yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions. Four of those touchdowns went to wide receiver DeMario Douglas, who set a new FHSAA State Championship record for touchdown receptions with four. It was history in the making for the Mustangs, who became the first program in Duval County Public School history to win at the highest classification level and just the second public school to win a state championship in Duval County. All of this in head coach Bobby Ramsay second year, a fast start for a vested an established coach.
Duval County Athletic Director Tammie Talley with Head Coach Bobby Ramsay and Mandarin AD Brian Rado, Celebrating Mandarin’s First Football State Championship! @talleymama @MHSsportszone @Mandarin_hs_fb pic.twitter.com/DOLTGFiDpJ
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
However in the state championship game, it wasn’t Mandarin that started fast it was their opponent as Columbus got off to a fast start when McDuffey hit Henderson for a 71 yard touchdown pass to go up early 7-0 with 10:05 to play in the first.
QB Brandon McDuffey to #3 WR Xzavier Henderson, makes the defender miss and off to the races 72 yards! 7-0 Columbus leads Mandarin early 1stqtr pic.twitter.com/CDkA7hJtkQ
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
As Mandarin had done all year, they didn’t wait to respond to the quick strike of Columbus, as Beck hit Douglas for a 23-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 just minutes later.
Carson Beck to Demario Douglas! TOUCHDOWN MANDARIN! 7-7 1st 7:27 1st Douglasbreaks the tackle and to the house! pic.twitter.com/eU68sA8U8S
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
Both teams would trade punts on their next series, as the teams attempted to feel each other out. Mandarin would eventually crack the touchdown code when Beck hit wide receiver Kris Mitchell for a 41- yard touchdown to go ahead 14-7 at the end the second quarter.
Carson Beck to #3 Kris Mitchell and Mitch does the rest! 40YD TD! 14-7! Mandarin closes out the first quarter pic.twitter.com/GmEFgovJnW
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
The defense would continue to make plays when needed, as defensive back Darien Oxendine intercepted McDuffey mid-way through the second quarter, which would lead to a Mustang field goal increasing the lead to 17-7.
Columbus (14-1) would show why they were the undefeated team in the state championship, as they responded in quick fashion. Duriel Moss would return the kickoff 57 yards to the Mandarin 27 yard line and five plays later, McDuffey would hit Kalani Norris on a 14 yard touchdown pass to pull the Explorers to within three, at 17-14 in the second quarter.
McDuffey to Kalani Norris from 14 yard TD !
Mandarin 17 Columbus 14 2nd 4:46 pic.twitter.com/05LIv9gdJz— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
Beck would surgically carve up the Explorer defense going 3 of 4 for 58 yards capping the drive with a 11 yard toss to Douglas, his second of the game. Douglas would close out the first half by adding an interception in the end zone as the Mustangs took a 24-14 lead into halftime.
Beck to Douglas Touchdown Mandarin! WOW! Mustangs offense is smooth like silk! 24-14 Mandarin leads Columbus! 1:50 2nd pic.twitter.com/csnKb2OrUu
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
The first half would ignite lots of offensive sparks from both teams. Yet the second half would trigger a fire works display of plays worthy of the last championship game of the year.
With 6:51 to play in the third, Mc Duffey would connect with Henderson for their second connection of the game, this time for 45 yards and a big touchdown to cut the lead to 24-21. Columbus would ride the wave of emotion, the problem for them is that Mandarin would ride as well when Beck connected with DeMario Douglas again for a 39 yard touchdown in which Douglas leaped into the end zone as the ball touched the pylon as the Mustangs would increase their lead to 30-21 late in the third.
Demario Douglas interception to end the half! #18 Carson Beck (3TDs) and the Mandarin Mustangs up 24-14 Over Columbus! pic.twitter.com/IeThuyEuWk
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
Columbus would begin to feed their running back Henry Parish, who busted a 33-yard run to put the Explorers in scoring position. However, the Mustang defense would hold them to a field goal attempt, which sailed wide left as the score remained 30-21 going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth, Mandarin would increase their lead to a seemingly insurmountable margin when Beck connected with Douglas (141 yards and four touchdowns on 9 catches) again from 29 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game to give Mandarin a 37-21 lead.
Touchdown Columbus!! Wow 37-351:17 4th Mandarin clinging to a 2pt lead pic.twitter.com/qG6p9qqK2g
— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
On the next possession, McDuffey would hit Norris again for a touchdown as Parish converted the two-point conversion bringing the score closer at 37-29. After being forced to punt, the Mandarin would need a play from their defense and it came when senior defensive back Kasmir Absolu intercepted Mc Duffey with 5:28 to go in the fourth quarter. However, Mandarin would fumble on the ensuing drive, giving life back to Columbus.
Mandarin with the stop on the 2pt conversion!
Leads Columbus 37-35! Insides kick to come! pic.twitter.com/GxAHFS3tej— Duval Sports ™️ (@DuvalSports) December 9, 2018
That life would be extinguished as Mandarin would hold on the two-point conversion late and celebrate winning the Class 8A state title.
Mandarin came into the game 10-4, navigating a regular season that saw a big win over Apopka. It was that game that changed the trajectory of the Mustang’s season, as they were 2-3 before, and 11-1 afterwards. For Coach Ramsey, he and his team of extraordinary athletes achieved leaps and bounds this year going from 2-8 in 2017 to finishing 11-4 in 2018 and FHSAA Class 8A state champs.
