It was announced last week that the FHSAA football championships will be held in Tallahassee Florida. For many athletes, their dreams of playing in one of college football’s biggest venues can come true if they can win just one more game. However, just like 1980’s rap star LL Cool J, and 1990’s rap star Notorious B.I.G came hard on their hit tracks “I’m Going Back To Cali”, three teams in our area intend to go just as hard on the field Friday Night. Bolles, University Christian, and Trinity Christian are ready for the chance to make it back to the championship, as the title game goes back to Tally.
Gadsden County (6-1) vs Bolles (9-2)
It’s unfinished business for Coach Matt Toblin and Bolles as they look to return to the class 4A state championship in consecutive years. Bolles has navigated a very tough schedule including handing Trinity Christian their only loss of the season. Their next impressive win was on the road at then undefeated Baker County33-14, yet slipped up against Creekside at home in overtime. They are fundamentally sound in the run game and on defense. with big play action in the passing game that will surprise you.
Key Players:
#7 QB Gunner Boree (SR) – 1374yds passing 16 TDs extremely accurate with throws and will also run has 324yds rushing
#8 RB Kade Frew (JR)- 1328yds rushing ,15 TDs, hard to tackle with deceptive speed to take it the distance. Senior RB Azeh Kani (SR) has 557 yds rushing behind Frew.
#4 WR Davis Ellis (SR) – 940yds Rec , 9TDs, wins most matchups at the line of scrimmage a game breaker over the top
#5 LB Mack Marrone (SR) 116 tackles, supreme run stuffer for the Bulldogs, son of Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone.
#6 WR Keaton Thomas (JR) , TE #86 Justin Cayenne (SR) are big targets in the passing game but excellent blockers down field.
#1 SS Caden Fordham (SR) 100 tackles, 4 sacks, extremely versatile, plays offense with 4 TDs on the season rushing. (NC State Commit)
#44 LB Jack Pyburn (JR) leads team in sacks (6) , 97 tackles, creates constant pressure , and DL Hayden Swartz (JR) several D1 offers 55 tackles and 3 sacks.
#32 DE- David Adewale(6’3) and #33 DL Michael Bumpus (6’4) both have 5 sacks on the year. Adewale had 3 sacks last year in state semifinal vs Cocoa.
Gadsden County
Standing in their way is Gadsden County coached by former Florida State star Corey Fuller. He leads the Jaguars to the state semifinals for the second time in two separate coaching stints with the team. After an 8-year gap, he is in the second year as head man again. With a record of 6-1, they’re only loss came to the Deion Sanders led Trinity Christian Tigers (TX). They’re most impressive win of the season, a 28-0 shutout of Marianna. Defense is their philosophy, posting three shutouts this year.
Key Players:
#12 QB Jarrod Jones –(SR) 7 passing TDs, 3 Rushing TDs
#11 RB Johntarrious Thomas (Jr) 693 yds rushing 8 TDs
#6 RB Kedric Debron Jr (JR) 437yds rushing 4TDs
#84 WR Taiqueze Neal (SR) -197yds Rec, 3 TDS, with good speed
#21 FS Jayden Bodison (SR) -leads the team in tackles (26) and interceptions (3) recently decommitted from Marshall
#4 FS/RB Antwan Betsey leads the team in sacks (3)
#2 DE Darrell Jackson (SR) Sets the edge for them in the run game, also a big target in the red-zone at TE
Prediction: Bolles 31 Gadsden Co. 14
Foundation Academy (9-1) vs University Christian (7-4)
There’s good news and bad news for Foundation Academy Friday Night as they head to Jacksonville. The good news is, Coach Brad Lord’s team only lost one game this year. The bad news is, their only loss this year came at the hands University Christian 35-0 on October 6th. The Lions have talent though, and that can always mean the difference the second time around.
#11 Danny Stutsman (SR) WR/LB is an Oklahoma commit, 1175 all purpose yards
#1 Treven Postell (JR) WR home town kid coming back to Jacksonville, crisp route runner, big play capability.
#5 Bryan Thomas (JR) DE – 11 sacks, 8 power five offers and son of All pro Linebacker for the New York Jets Bryan Thomas Sr
#56 Donovan Branch (JR) DE- leads team in sacks (11) , 3 D1 offers
#58 Hunter Moss OL- (JR) Several D1 & D2 offers.
University Christian
David Pennland III has done a masterful job in rallying his team this year after a slow start to the season. UC has won five games in a row, including a big playoff win against rival North Florida Christian last week 35-20. They’re also battle tested, with games against Oakleaf, Bolles, Clay and Baldwin. Even though they lost some players before the season, they still have immense talent.
Key Players:
#8 QB Desirrio Riles– Just a sophomore, Riles has racked up 993yds passing, 337yds rushing and 16 total TDS
#4 ATH Orel Gray– Another sophomore leading the Christians in rushing 980yds, 15TDs and total yards 1189. On defense he’s a shutdown DB as well.
#20 DB Peyton Pennland-, The sophomore leads the team with 3 interceptions.
#5 WR/ DB Ja’Won Grey – has 2 interception on the season and leads team in receiving yards 428 and Rec TDs 5
#2 ATH Joseph Carter (SR) – Captain of the team, Mr everything 270 yds rec, 2 TDs, 717yds rushing , 7 TDs, leading tackler with 68 tackles
#6 LB Jerome Manning (JR) – Tied for team lead in sacks (6) , second on team with 65 tackles, 15 tackles for loss.
#44 Kaydrick Robinson (Sophomore) tied for team lead in sacks (6)
Prediction: University Christian 24 Foundation Academy 7
Trinity Christian (10-1) vs Trinity Catholic (7-3)
Trinity Christian
Revenge will be on the minds of Coach Verlon Dorminey and the Trinity Christian Conquerors when they travel down state road 301 to Ocala in consecutive years for a playoff matchup with Trinity Catholic. Last year, Trinity Christian fell to Trinity Catholic 23-21.
However, this is a new team with players assuming their own roles hoping to make names for themselves like the ones that have come before them. Already, the team has set precedence on defense, as the Conquerors are the only one in the state to hold opponents to one touchdown or less in eight consecutive games. Their offense found it’s rhythm last week putting up 31 points against previously undefeated FSU. Senior Kensly Johnson set the tone with the first touchdown of the game. A special teams punt return for a touchdown which was the first of the season for the Conquerors. Caleb Stevenson (K) has one of the best legs in the state and has already won a game winner vs American Heritage 3-0.
Key Players:
#58 Austin Barber (SR) -With 28 D1 offers, the OT is the leader of the team. The run game is powered by him noticeable by his pancake blocks and he also provides optimal protection to his quarterback. 6’7, 301lbs.
#5 QB JaCory Jordan (SR) – Jordan has passed for 1274yds and 12 TDs despite not having his #1 target (Florida commit) WR Marcus Burke for most of the year. He’s hit receivers Fred Highsmith and Xander Ross for big gains in Burke’s absence. Jordan has several D1 offers recently decommitting from Bowling Green.
#4 WR Marcus Burke (Sr)- Without question the best wide receiver in Northeast Florida and arguably the state, Marcus Burke looks healthy after sitting out several games this season due to injury. He had his best receiving yard effort last week vs FSU and is a deadly weapon in the passing game.
#1 WR Kaleb Killian (SR) – Killian has also returned from injury and looks more explosive with every game he plays. A game breaker running and catching the ball in space.
#3 RB Treyaun Webb – Just a sophomore, Webb is committed to Georgia. Battling an injury all year, the sophomore sensation has still amassed 831 yards rushing and 12 TDs on the season.
#7 DB Terrell Jackson (SR)- leads the team in interceptions (3), and scored the only defensive touchdown of the year last week on a pick 6 vs FSU (Army Commit)
#6 DB Corey Coley Jr (SR)- Shut down corner, is second on the team in interceptions (2), a gifted athlete that has blocked 2 field goals on the season. (Maryland commit)
#13 LB Lucius Lattimore -(SR) leads the team in tackles (68) (Famu commit), while LB #8 Jahron Williams is a multidimensional defensive player in the run and pass game.
#50 Johnathan Goddard -(SR) OLB leads team in sacks with 7, #33 LB Caden Morrell is a force with 5.5 sacks, and LB #9 C.J Ross has returned after mid season injuries to lead the defense (USF commit).
#2 S/RB Christian Ellis– (JR) An explosive two way player on both sides of the ball. Leads team in rushing average 7.6 YPC (3TDs), second in pass break ups (9) with 1 int, 5th in tackles, and third on team in drive stopping plays.
Trinity Catholic
It’s been another good season for the Celtics as they’ve navigated once again to the playoffs. This year they’ve made it two steps further than last year after falling to Pensacola Catholic in the regional semifinals. Coach John Brantley enters the State Semifinals having defeated two previous playoff opponents by a score of 96-0.
Key Players:
QB Cole Gonzalez– 846yds passing, 8 TDs A leader at the position.
#70 OT Caleb Johnson– (Notre Dame commit) The main cog of a big bruising offensive line. 6’7, 285 lbs
#66 Jake Slaughter– C ( Florida Commit) The center piece of the rushing attack for Trinity Catholic. 6’5, 290lbs
#2 RB/ DB Jamarian Samuel- 1055 yds rushing , 15 TDs. Also plays defense scoring a pick 6 against John Carrol last week in the playoffs
#11 RB/DB T.J Snowden– is Mr everything leading the team in receiving yards and rushing average with a 16.3 YPC ( 3 TDs),
#23 OLB Donathan Lecorn- Just a sophomore, Lecorn leads the team in tackles with 81.
#5 LB Marquis Jones is second on the team with 73 tackles,
#21 DB Daijhae Abate– (SR) leads the team with 3 interceptions.
Prediction: Trinity Christian 31 Trinity Catholic 7
Featured Image by Will Brown
