Class 3A Round 2
8 Teams Remain
Round 1 saw every single District Champion knock off their Runner-up
counterparts. That means this week, it's Champion vs Champion week and there
are some truly great games to go out and watch. I'm not going to previe the
games, so much, as I'm going to give my thoughts on them...
REGION 1
Jacksonville Trinity Christian (8-2) @ Ocala Trinity Catholic (9-1)
While anything can happen, this game is really for the right to go to Orlando.
These two teams are both senior loaded, college prospect loaded and have
coaches who have state-championship caliber resumes. I also think they are
evenly matched.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian boasts, in my opinion, the best defense in Class
3A. Outside of IMG, nobody has been able to run the ball on them and there is a
certain psychological factor with these guys. Their only two losses have come to Georgia
superpower Buford, and IMG Academy. Both
schools could double as small division 3 colleges. Offensively, Trinity has
gotten better- but nobody is going to confuse these guys for a intimidating
offense- still, sometimes the best offense is an overpowering defense.
Ocala Trinity Catholic comes into the game 9-1 and boasts a extremely stout
offense and their defense is loaded with playmakers, such as DE Jordan Woods
who has committed to South Carolina, Safety Darrien McNair who is commited to Miss
State, and then there's the 2 double-tough linebackers in the middle.
Offensively, the Celtics have been an electric offense with Sr. Quarterback
Noah Schaffer and Mr. Do-It-All Richie Denicola.
The lone setback the Celtics suffered this year came at the hands of Clearwater
Central Catholic- but don't blame the Celtics offense or special teams which
hands-down dominated that game, that game came down to 1 team having CJ Cotman
and the other team didn't.
PREDICTION:
There's only 3 teams in Class 3A that have a realistic shot at upsetting
Jacksonville Trinity Christian and two of them are playing in the south of 3A. Ocala Trinity presents a very real
and dangerous threat to the Conqurer's. I don't put a lot of stock into Strength of Schedule, but I would be
remiss if I didn't at least mention the degree of difficulty that JacksonvilleTrinity has faced this year. Ocala
Trinity has really only played 2 tough teams this year. Still, the game is played in the friendly
confines of Celtic field and the Celtics will be motivated- but Jacksonville
Trinity will make 1 or 2 extra plays in the 4th.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian- 28
Ocala Trinity Catholic- 24
REGION 2
Orlando First Academy (10-1) @ Lakeland Christian School (10-1)
If you like high scoring games where defense is optional, you need to swing by
LCS this Friday. At the start of the season not many gave TFA Royals a chance
to advance in the playoffs as MCC was a heavy favorite. Orlando First Academy
is a Wing-T team and they run it almost to perfection. Their only loss this year was to an undefeated
Bishop Moore team. They come into the
game having upset a very good Berkeley Prep team and should ride that momentum
into round 2.
Due to the ground based attack that First Academy impliments, it should be no
surprise they have 3 players with 800 yards or more on the ground and average
280 yards rushing per game. On the
otherside of the ball the Royals aren't nearly as stout as they might like to be,
against teams with winning records the Royals are giving up just over 30 PPG.
Lakeland Christian School won their first ever playoff game last week by beating
a very strong Melbourne Central Catholic team 32-26. LCS was down 2 scores most
of the game but found a way to come back and win it. LCS has quite a few playmakers, including star
Qb Christian Alexander who is every bit as good as advertised, Alexander has
thrown for 2209 yards this season.
Defensively, similar to TFA, the Vikings defense could use a shot in the
arm.
PREDICTION:
Two really good offenses, two really average defenses. The Seniors at First
Academy have Final 4 experience while the Vikings are still trying to shake
their nerves. My brutally honest
opinion is, both teams will score, but I like LCS's defense more than TFA's.
LCS 56, TFA 49
REGION 3
Clearwater Central Catholic (10-1) @ Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (8-3)
For the 3rd time since 2005, the Marauders and Cougars will do
battle for a Regional Championship. In 2005, the Marauders knocked off the
Cougars behind a miracle Kick-Return for TD with under 3 minutes left in the
game. In 2006, an undefeated Cardinal Mooney got revenge in Sarasota knocking
off the Marauders before lighting the night ablaze with fireworks.
Cardinal Mooney has been a success story this year as the program has started
making strides to become a mainstay in the playoffs. One of the biggest horns
that showed the Cougars were for real is when legendary Southeast coach Paul
Machelte joined the staff. There's been some bumps in the road, losses to Tampa
Catholic, Sarasota Booker and a hard-fought game against Victory Christian. The
Cougars are a very sound team that plays within themselves, they don't appear
to rattle easily and have given themselves a shot to win every game they've
played this year.
Cardinal Mooney, despite playing a competitive schedule is about to get in the
proverbial ring with a football team that has put up over 5000 yards of offense
this year. While the Marauders defense
has been suspect at times, the Marauders offense has flat out dominated
everybody they've played. Even in the
Marauders lone loss to IMG Academy, they managed a ridiculous 480 yards of
offense to the point that head coach Chris Weinke is quoted as saying "****"
when asked to describe the Marauder offense.
Jeff Smith, CJ Cotman and a host of talented WR's have the Marauders
averaging 44 points a game and just under 500 yards of offense. The Marauders
haven't been playing Sister of the Poor either, consider this- of the 10 games CCC
played this year, 5 are still in the playoffs.
The only real weakness CCC has is on special teams, sure the defense is shaky
at times- but I think it's good enough to win 3A; however, CCC has the worst
special teams in 3A and it's not a debate..bad kicking..bad
punting..bad..bad..bad. IMG feasted off
terrible special teams play by the Marauders. Still, when you have Jeff Smith
and CJ Cotman on your team, odds are, you're going to win a lot of games.
PREDICTION:
Cardinal Mooney won't go down without a fight, their coaching staff is to good
to not find a way to give the Marauders a game; however, the Cougars cannot get
in a shootout with the Marauders- it's what the Marauders want and if it
happens, the game will get out of hand. I think Cardinal Mooney tries to keep
the ball on the ground and limit the Marauders offensive touches- something they
are capable of doing. Still, to beat the Marauders there's going to need to be
some luck involved, Jeff Smith fumbling, a few myterious flags that go the
Cougars way, CJ Cotman getting sick maybe?
Hey..the Cold/Flu is going around...
Clearwater Central Catholic 45
Cardinal Mooney 17
REGION 4
Del-Ray American Heritage (9-1) @ Westminster Christian School (10-1)
The amount of high school star power on the same field at the same time in this
one is nothing short of amazing. When
you factor in Tim Irvin, Jordan Kronkite, Tobias Moss for WCS and Devin
Singletary, Rondarian Bell, Josh Ward, Desmond Cain for Heritage-Del Ray you're
going to get the makings of a shootout.
American Heritage went out and scheduled the best teams willing to play them,
they stopped just short of scheduling the Miami Dolphins. Consider this,
outside of a week 1 loss to Miramar- the Stallions have been unstoppable. For the American Heritage Stallions, the
tough schedule may of been exactly what's needed as their road to a state
championship goes through 3 of the top 25 Small Schools in America according to
MaxPreps, all on the road. (Westminster, CCC, Jax Trinity).
Westminster Christian School is no push-over, bringing back most of a team that
went all the way to the State-Semi Finals this year. The Warriors only loss was to a stout Boynton
Beach team without the services of their best player, Tim Irvin. The Warriors may not have much in terms of
numbers, but they have major college talent playing in high school. Many people felt that the graduation of
Hunter Boyett last year would hamper the offense; however Jr. Christian Matos
has stepped in and threw for over 1000 yards.
PREDICTION:
To me, this is a coin-flip game.
Westminster is playing at home (wherever home is to Westminster), but
Heritage has a few more athletes.
Heritage has played a much tougher schedule- but here's what this game
comes down to- who makes more mistakes. Both teams have big-time play makers,
both teams have good coaching and both teams are ranked in the top 25 small
schools in America by MaxPreps. It's tough,
but in the end- I think American Heritage just has few more playmakers on their
squad.
American Heritage- 35
Westminster- 28
8 Teams Remain
Round 1 saw every single District Champion knock off their Runner-up
counterparts. That means this week, it's Champion vs Champion week and there
are some truly great games to go out and watch. I'm not going to previe the
games, so much, as I'm going to give my thoughts on them...
REGION 1
Jacksonville Trinity Christian (8-2) @ Ocala Trinity Catholic (9-1)
While anything can happen, this game is really for the right to go to Orlando.
These two teams are both senior loaded, college prospect loaded and have
coaches who have state-championship caliber resumes. I also think they are
evenly matched.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian boasts, in my opinion, the best defense in Class
3A. Outside of IMG, nobody has been able to run the ball on them and there is a
certain psychological factor with these guys. Their only two losses have come to Georgia
superpower Buford, and IMG Academy. Both
schools could double as small division 3 colleges. Offensively, Trinity has
gotten better- but nobody is going to confuse these guys for a intimidating
offense- still, sometimes the best offense is an overpowering defense.
Ocala Trinity Catholic comes into the game 9-1 and boasts a extremely stout
offense and their defense is loaded with playmakers, such as DE Jordan Woods
who has committed to South Carolina, Safety Darrien McNair who is commited to Miss
State, and then there's the 2 double-tough linebackers in the middle.
Offensively, the Celtics have been an electric offense with Sr. Quarterback
Noah Schaffer and Mr. Do-It-All Richie Denicola.
The lone setback the Celtics suffered this year came at the hands of Clearwater
Central Catholic- but don't blame the Celtics offense or special teams which
hands-down dominated that game, that game came down to 1 team having CJ Cotman
and the other team didn't.
PREDICTION:
There's only 3 teams in Class 3A that have a realistic shot at upsetting
Jacksonville Trinity Christian and two of them are playing in the south of 3A. Ocala Trinity presents a very real
and dangerous threat to the Conqurer's. I don't put a lot of stock into Strength of Schedule, but I would be
remiss if I didn't at least mention the degree of difficulty that JacksonvilleTrinity has faced this year. Ocala
Trinity has really only played 2 tough teams this year. Still, the game is played in the friendly
confines of Celtic field and the Celtics will be motivated- but Jacksonville
Trinity will make 1 or 2 extra plays in the 4th.
Jacksonville Trinity Christian- 28
Ocala Trinity Catholic- 24
REGION 2
Orlando First Academy (10-1) @ Lakeland Christian School (10-1)
If you like high scoring games where defense is optional, you need to swing by
LCS this Friday. At the start of the season not many gave TFA Royals a chance
to advance in the playoffs as MCC was a heavy favorite. Orlando First Academy
is a Wing-T team and they run it almost to perfection. Their only loss this year was to an undefeated
Bishop Moore team. They come into the
game having upset a very good Berkeley Prep team and should ride that momentum
into round 2.
Due to the ground based attack that First Academy impliments, it should be no
surprise they have 3 players with 800 yards or more on the ground and average
280 yards rushing per game. On the
otherside of the ball the Royals aren't nearly as stout as they might like to be,
against teams with winning records the Royals are giving up just over 30 PPG.
Lakeland Christian School won their first ever playoff game last week by beating
a very strong Melbourne Central Catholic team 32-26. LCS was down 2 scores most
of the game but found a way to come back and win it. LCS has quite a few playmakers, including star
Qb Christian Alexander who is every bit as good as advertised, Alexander has
thrown for 2209 yards this season.
Defensively, similar to TFA, the Vikings defense could use a shot in the
arm.
PREDICTION:
Two really good offenses, two really average defenses. The Seniors at First
Academy have Final 4 experience while the Vikings are still trying to shake
their nerves. My brutally honest
opinion is, both teams will score, but I like LCS's defense more than TFA's.
LCS 56, TFA 49
REGION 3
Clearwater Central Catholic (10-1) @ Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (8-3)
For the 3rd time since 2005, the Marauders and Cougars will do
battle for a Regional Championship. In 2005, the Marauders knocked off the
Cougars behind a miracle Kick-Return for TD with under 3 minutes left in the
game. In 2006, an undefeated Cardinal Mooney got revenge in Sarasota knocking
off the Marauders before lighting the night ablaze with fireworks.
Cardinal Mooney has been a success story this year as the program has started
making strides to become a mainstay in the playoffs. One of the biggest horns
that showed the Cougars were for real is when legendary Southeast coach Paul
Machelte joined the staff. There's been some bumps in the road, losses to Tampa
Catholic, Sarasota Booker and a hard-fought game against Victory Christian. The
Cougars are a very sound team that plays within themselves, they don't appear
to rattle easily and have given themselves a shot to win every game they've
played this year.
Cardinal Mooney, despite playing a competitive schedule is about to get in the
proverbial ring with a football team that has put up over 5000 yards of offense
this year. While the Marauders defense
has been suspect at times, the Marauders offense has flat out dominated
everybody they've played. Even in the
Marauders lone loss to IMG Academy, they managed a ridiculous 480 yards of
offense to the point that head coach Chris Weinke is quoted as saying "****"
when asked to describe the Marauder offense.
Jeff Smith, CJ Cotman and a host of talented WR's have the Marauders
averaging 44 points a game and just under 500 yards of offense. The Marauders
haven't been playing Sister of the Poor either, consider this- of the 10 games CCC
played this year, 5 are still in the playoffs.
The only real weakness CCC has is on special teams, sure the defense is shaky
at times- but I think it's good enough to win 3A; however, CCC has the worst
special teams in 3A and it's not a debate..bad kicking..bad
punting..bad..bad..bad. IMG feasted off
terrible special teams play by the Marauders. Still, when you have Jeff Smith
and CJ Cotman on your team, odds are, you're going to win a lot of games.
PREDICTION:
Cardinal Mooney won't go down without a fight, their coaching staff is to good
to not find a way to give the Marauders a game; however, the Cougars cannot get
in a shootout with the Marauders- it's what the Marauders want and if it
happens, the game will get out of hand. I think Cardinal Mooney tries to keep
the ball on the ground and limit the Marauders offensive touches- something they
are capable of doing. Still, to beat the Marauders there's going to need to be
some luck involved, Jeff Smith fumbling, a few myterious flags that go the
Cougars way, CJ Cotman getting sick maybe?
Hey..the Cold/Flu is going around...
Clearwater Central Catholic 45
Cardinal Mooney 17
REGION 4
Del-Ray American Heritage (9-1) @ Westminster Christian School (10-1)
The amount of high school star power on the same field at the same time in this
one is nothing short of amazing. When
you factor in Tim Irvin, Jordan Kronkite, Tobias Moss for WCS and Devin
Singletary, Rondarian Bell, Josh Ward, Desmond Cain for Heritage-Del Ray you're
going to get the makings of a shootout.
American Heritage went out and scheduled the best teams willing to play them,
they stopped just short of scheduling the Miami Dolphins. Consider this,
outside of a week 1 loss to Miramar- the Stallions have been unstoppable. For the American Heritage Stallions, the
tough schedule may of been exactly what's needed as their road to a state
championship goes through 3 of the top 25 Small Schools in America according to
MaxPreps, all on the road. (Westminster, CCC, Jax Trinity).
Westminster Christian School is no push-over, bringing back most of a team that
went all the way to the State-Semi Finals this year. The Warriors only loss was to a stout Boynton
Beach team without the services of their best player, Tim Irvin. The Warriors may not have much in terms of
numbers, but they have major college talent playing in high school. Many people felt that the graduation of
Hunter Boyett last year would hamper the offense; however Jr. Christian Matos
has stepped in and threw for over 1000 yards.
PREDICTION:
To me, this is a coin-flip game.
Westminster is playing at home (wherever home is to Westminster), but
Heritage has a few more athletes.
Heritage has played a much tougher schedule- but here's what this game
comes down to- who makes more mistakes. Both teams have big-time play makers,
both teams have good coaching and both teams are ranked in the top 25 small
schools in America by MaxPreps. It's tough,
but in the end- I think American Heritage just has few more playmakers on their
squad.
American Heritage- 35
Westminster- 28
