The playoffs are here upon us and we are going to take a dive and look at this week’s slate for Class 3A, Region I & II regional semifinals with our prediction of who will advance to next week’s regional finals.
Region I
Providence (8-2) at Trinity Catholic (8-1)
The Skinny: These two teams are quite familiar with each other having played in the first round last season with the Celtics winning 30-13. Trinity Catholic had the week off and has plenty of time to prepare for the visiting Stallions who feature tailback Jamauri Wakefield (2500 yards, 37 touchdowns). The Celtics counter averaging nearly 500 yards of offense and are almost unbeatable at home at 13-3 in the playoffs.
Prediction: Trinity Catholic
Maclay (4-5) at Trinity Christian (7-2)
The Skinny: Maclay’s first ever trip the state playoffs will be a very short brief one drawing the defending Class 3A state champs. Maclay coached by former FSU great Kyler Hall will have to play their best of the year and take advantage of every turnover. The Trinity team you saw on ESPN in those two losses is not the same team that played the rest of the year. The Conquerors feature as many as 11 Division I prospects including Jeffrey Holland, Kevin Toliver, Chris Barr and Ben Edwards.
Prediction: Trinity Christian
Region II
Melbourne Central Catholic (9-1) at Lakeland Christian (9-1)
The Skinny: Lakeland Christian, coached by former Florida great Wayne Peace, is loaded on both sides of the ball and will be a handful for MCC to stop. MCC is no slouch either avering 44 points per game led by Brandon Ziarno (2845, 44 TDs, 2 INTs). The Vikings are led by utility player Christian Alexander (2197, 27 TDs)
Prediction: Lakeland Christian
Berkeley Prep (7-3) at The First Academy (8-1)
The Skinny: Berkeley Prep was heavily favored to win its district and looked like it might do so. After a 6-0 start, the Bucs dropped a pair of district games to Tampa Catholic and Frostproof and had to settle for the runner-up spot, but First Academy has upped their game this year and this is a game that could go either way in a toss up.
Prediction: Berkeley Prep
