It’s Bowl season in college football, and playoff season in both college and pro football. So in keeping with the season, we’re creating three bowl games in which you get to vote for the winners!
We’re the only plaform to cover all middle school football championship games in Northeast Florida. So we’re able to provide first hand break downs of each team and how they became champions. Although we won’t be able to see them play each other on the field, they will be able to face-off on DuvalSports.com.
So let’s check out the matchups!
#1. Lake Shore (11-0) Duval County Middle School Champions
Coach Joe Delaune finally reached the summit after two previous championship trips, as he lead Lake Shore to a 47-7 victory over Twin Lakes. The Warriors would win their first Duval County Football Conference Championship in school history. All year, the team dominated the competition defeating opponents by an average of 40 points including a 68-0 win over Southside on their way to an undefeated season.
Quarterback JAIDAN DELAUNE led the area in passing yards and passing touchdowns, the best middle school quarterback in Northeast Florida. Protected by hard nosed offensive linemen such as Donovan Mattis who also opened holes for runningbacks Shanqueze Foster and JaQuille Hobdy. Hobdy held down offense and defense back duties along with players like linebacker Derrick Brown who made game changing plays. The air attack was probably one of the most prolific this area has ever seen.
#2. Baker County (10-0) NEFAC Champions (Clay County/Baker County)
Baker County culminated it’s case for the most consistent middle school program in Northeast Florida. The Bobcats shutout Oakleaf Junior High 10-0, on their way to a Championship Three-Peat . Coach Roberts and company have been a model of excellence, as he’s coached for 58 years. In 2022, his team won their 24th consecutive game. Outscoring opponents 830-58 in that span.
Baker County was arguably the most physical middle school football team all year, punishing ball carriers on defense, and running over defenders on offense. Chase Phillips and Jaden Mosley were athletic assassins on the field. Phillips might just be the best athlete in Northeast Florida. Hudson Hodges and Cortez Major provided the power at linebacker and on the offensive/defensive lines. Their line was the best in the area.
#3. Gamble Rogers (9-0) SJMSAA Champions
Gamble Rogers, winners of three SJMSAA championships won their fourth in 2022 defeating Murray 28-16, but this time under new head coach Ron Evans. Evans, a former collegiate football player (NC A&T) and long time defensive coordinator at Gamble Rogers, was now in his second year of leading the Stingrays as head coach. “Always earned, never given” was his motto for the team, and they followed this lead all years to and undefeated season.
The Stingrays featured the most phyisical 1-2 punch in Northeast Florida with runningback’s Mason Beane and Mason Lynch. They were unstoppable on the ground all year, moving the chains at will in a menacing ground and pound attack. However, the Stingrays could go up top as well with quarterback Cash Downey who was an incredible play-maker through the air and with his legs. Bean and Lynch were mainstays on defense at linebacker as well.
#4. University Christian (5-0)
The pennacle of private schools and Nassau county middle school football was University Christian Middle. They took down Callahan, Fernandina, Hilliard, and capped it off with wins over Duval powers Trinity and Bolles. Coach Travis Hodge and company completed an impressive resume of victories on their way to an undefeated season.
At quarterback was one of the most unstoppable players in all of Northeast Floida in Cory Matthews. Mathews combined size with speed to make plays for his team. One of his favorite targets was receiver Chris Barnes Jr, who also locked down receivers on defense. Yet what made University Christian explosive was their ability to break off explosive plays courtesy of running back KYREE WILSON. With a duel threat quarterback, duel position playmaker, and diference maker in the backfield, you see why this entire team went unblemished all year.
So now it’s time to vote! We’ve seeded each team and selected them to play in two bowl games (River City Bowl) and the (First Coast Bowl). Vote from Friday to Sunday for the results to be decided on Sunday for the River City Bowl and the First Coast Bowl.
The two winners advance to play in the championship called the Duval Bowl. Voting will decide that winner. Voting will begin on Sunday and end on Tuesday 1/10/23.
VOTE HERE!
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