PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Class 1A – Regional Finals

Eight teams are left in Class 1A and only four will get to play some football next week during the Thanksgiving holiday. Who is really hungry to play for a state championship this season and will Trenton survive another week to defend it state championship? Here’s is this week’s look at the Class 1A Regional Finals.

Region I Final

Baker (10-1) at Vernon (10-1)
Last Week’s Results: Baker def. Graceville 21-7, Vernon def. Northview 36-19
The Skinny: For nine straight weeks, Baker looked untouchable until a loss to South Walton in the season finale. Now the Gators find themselves in unfamiliar territory having won their first playoff game since 2001. Now the stakes are even higher, the Gators haven’t advance past the second round since 1999 and a win would send them to the state semifinal. Since a season opening loss to Chipley, Vernon has rebounded with ten straight wins and head coach Bobby Johns has his Yellow Jackets playing extremely well. The trio of D’Vonta O’Neal (145 yards on 14 carries), Darrius Peterson (113 yards on 11 carries) and Ryan Malloy (99 yards on 11 carries) combined for 307 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the win last week. Now the matchup that Panhandle fans anticipated last season in the second round that didn’t happen, because both lost in the first round, is finally here and fans should expect a thriller.
Looking Ahead: Winner gets a spot in the state semifinals next week. The winner will travel to the winner of the Port St. Joe/Blountstown game.
Prediction: Vernon

Region II Final

Port St. Joe (9-2) at Blountstown (8-3)
Last Week’s Results: Port St. Joe def. South Walton 37-14; Blountstown def. Liberty County 25-10
The Skinny: South Walton quarterback Johnathan Ortner, who entered the game with 2354 yards and 33 TDs, was sacked five times, threw four interceptions and held to a season low of 96 yards passing and 13 yards rushing. Port St Joe ran all over the Seahawks with 325 yards rushing, including 209 from Jarkeice Davis, who now has 1776 yards and 35 touchdowns. Now they turn their attention to Blountstown, a team they are quite familiar with having played twice in a calendar year, including a 20-19 win in this year’s kickoff classic. Ironically, it was a 40-6 win over Liberty County and 34-0 win over Port St Joe in the first two rounds of the playoffs that spiraled the Tigers all the way to the Class 1A state championship last season. Blountstown ran for 273 yards last week spreading the ball around with quarterback Dylan Lee and tailbacks Javas Davis, Shad Johnson, Tristen Burke and Chasen Roulhac rallying from a 10-0 deficit to win 25-10.
Looking Ahead: Winner gets a spot in the state semifinals next week. The winner will host the winner of the Baker/Vernon game.
Prediction: Port St. Joe

Region III Final

Hamilton County (8-3) at Trenton (10-1)
Last Week’s Results: Hamilton def. Hilliard 34-21; Trenton def. Lafayette 40-14
The Skinny: Thanks to Le’marcus Webb and Kentwan Daniels, Hamilton County built up a 27-0 halftime lead to cruise into the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Trojans shouldn’t have a problem getting motivated for Trenton after getting pasted at home 59-32 in the second round to Trenton last season. Behind a potent offense and lethal defense, Trenton rolled up 28 straight points to jump on Lafayette early and never looked back. The Tigers defense forced Lafayette quarterback Brysen Lee into two interceptions to go along with five sacks in the second half.
Looking Ahead: Winner gets a spot in the state semifinals next week. The winner will travel to the winner of the Union County/Dixie County game.
Prediction: Trenton

Region IV Final

Union County (9-2) at Dixie County (10-0)
Last Week’s Results: Dixie County def. Pierson Taylor 40-9; Union County def. Crescent City 55-0
The Skinny: Dixie County ran through, over and around Pierson Taylor amassing 313 yards on the ground on its way to the second round of the playoffs. The Bears are led by junior quarterback Aaron Thomas (534 yards, 7 touchdowns), senior tailback James Bowers (767 yards, 13 touchdowns) and junior tailback Julian Robinson (1623 yards, 14 touchdowns). Union County will try to counter with senior quarterback Caleb Cox (2085 yards, 29 touchdowns), junior tailback Antwan Durn (802 yards, 13 touchdowns) and junior wide receiver Zak Lee (603 yards, 8 touchdowns). Dixie has won 22 of its last 23 games, including a 31-21 win in Lake Butler earlier this season and 30-20 in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Looking Ahead: A win for either team grants them a spot in next week’s state semifinals and would be the host team of the winner from the Hamilton County/Trenton game.
Prediction: Dixie County