Games of note for this upcoming weekend
2A State Championship
Dade Christian-University Christian: Friday at 1:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Sports Network
The Crusaders might be the surprise team of the entire season in South Florida. After knocking of Kelvin Taylor's Glades Day team two weeks ago, they became serious contenders for the state title. I don't know anything about University Christian so it's tough to give real predication, but it's tough to pick against Dade Christian after they beat title favorites Glades Day.
3A State Championship
University School-Madison County: Saturday at 1:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Sports Network
Expect U-School to win big and capture their first state title.
4A State Championship
Booker T. Washington-Jacksonville Bolles: Saturday night at 7:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Network
The Tornadoes have had last year's state title loss to Bolles lingering the entire season and used it as fuel. They will bring the championship back to Miami in Matthew Thomas and Denver Kirkland's final high school game.
5A State Semis
Jackson-Immokalee: Friday at 7:30 - Traz Powell Stadium
The Generals have been one of the biggest surprises of the entire playoffs. QB Quinton "Winky" Flowers has carried the team on his back and will have a tough test against the talented Immokalee defense, led by Mackensie Alexander, Mackenro Alexander, and Deadrin Senat. On offense, Immokalee's most notable player is JC Jackson, a 2014 WR who is committed to FSU. I don't see Jackson winning this game, but if they do....crown Winky. Jackson should have a nice home-field advantage at Traz. It should be an electric atmosphere for sure.
6A State Semis
Miami Central-Naples: @Naples 7:30
Naples is sitting at 12-0 this year, but Central should have their way with them. I would be stunned if the Rockets don't win it all this year.
7A State Semis
St. Thomas Aquinas-Manatee: @Aquinas 7:30
While most expect Manatee to run away with the state title, I think this could actually be closer than most predict. Manatee has one of the greatest defensive lines in the history of high school football (not an exaggeration), but St. Thomas is one of the few teams that has a good enough O-Line to possibly contain them enough to slow them down a little bit. I still see Manatee winning, but STA could make it a game.
8A State Semis
Cypress Bay-Columbus: @Cypress Bay 7:30
This is a very intriguing game between two teams that match-up very similarly. The two powerhouses are close from a talent standpoint, so this game could come down to execution. Columbus QB Tucker Beirne holds the keys to the victory for the Explorers. If he plays well, they win. Cypress Bay RB Matt Dayes could be in for a big day, but I think the Explorers pull it out and head to their first state title since 1983, when Mike Shula was quarterbacking them.
2A State Championship
Dade Christian-University Christian: Friday at 1:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Sports Network
The Crusaders might be the surprise team of the entire season in South Florida. After knocking of Kelvin Taylor's Glades Day team two weeks ago, they became serious contenders for the state title. I don't know anything about University Christian so it's tough to give real predication, but it's tough to pick against Dade Christian after they beat title favorites Glades Day.
3A State Championship
University School-Madison County: Saturday at 1:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Sports Network
Expect U-School to win big and capture their first state title.
4A State Championship
Booker T. Washington-Jacksonville Bolles: Saturday night at 7:07 with a live telecast on Bright House Network
The Tornadoes have had last year's state title loss to Bolles lingering the entire season and used it as fuel. They will bring the championship back to Miami in Matthew Thomas and Denver Kirkland's final high school game.
5A State Semis
Jackson-Immokalee: Friday at 7:30 - Traz Powell Stadium
The Generals have been one of the biggest surprises of the entire playoffs. QB Quinton "Winky" Flowers has carried the team on his back and will have a tough test against the talented Immokalee defense, led by Mackensie Alexander, Mackenro Alexander, and Deadrin Senat. On offense, Immokalee's most notable player is JC Jackson, a 2014 WR who is committed to FSU. I don't see Jackson winning this game, but if they do....crown Winky. Jackson should have a nice home-field advantage at Traz. It should be an electric atmosphere for sure.
6A State Semis
Miami Central-Naples: @Naples 7:30
Naples is sitting at 12-0 this year, but Central should have their way with them. I would be stunned if the Rockets don't win it all this year.
7A State Semis
St. Thomas Aquinas-Manatee: @Aquinas 7:30
While most expect Manatee to run away with the state title, I think this could actually be closer than most predict. Manatee has one of the greatest defensive lines in the history of high school football (not an exaggeration), but St. Thomas is one of the few teams that has a good enough O-Line to possibly contain them enough to slow them down a little bit. I still see Manatee winning, but STA could make it a game.
8A State Semis
Cypress Bay-Columbus: @Cypress Bay 7:30
This is a very intriguing game between two teams that match-up very similarly. The two powerhouses are close from a talent standpoint, so this game could come down to execution. Columbus QB Tucker Beirne holds the keys to the victory for the Explorers. If he plays well, they win. Cypress Bay RB Matt Dayes could be in for a big day, but I think the Explorers pull it out and head to their first state title since 1983, when Mike Shula was quarterbacking them.
