CLASS 1A STATE SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: Hamilton County at Dixie County

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Hamilton County (9-3) at Dixie County (11-0)
Last Week’s Results: Hamilton County def. Trenton, 45-20; Dixie County def. Union County, 50-37
Looking Ahead: Winner plays the winner of the Vernon/Port St. Joe game in the Class 1A state championship.

About Hamilton County: Despite being ranked for most of the season in the top three, no one gave Hamilton County much of a chance to win at Trenton-fortunately the players and coaches did. Tied at 14, the Trojans pulled the stunner with 31 unanswered points to advance to its first state semi final in 39 years. Big plays from junior quarterback Kentwan Daniels (814 yards, 7 TDs, 869 rushing, 13 TDs), utility player Le’marcus Webb and senior wide receiver/defensive back J’quan Cole helped the Trojans pull the upset. Webb (131 yards) who returned a kickoff 92 yards second after the Tigers tied the game, scored on touchdown runs of 44 and 67 yards. Daniels rushed for 119 yards and was responsible for two touchdowns, while Cole picked off two Tiger passes and was on the receiving end of 80 yard touchdon pass from Daniels. Two of the three losses came at the hands of Suwannee (12-1) and Dixie County (11-0) both still playing in the third round of the playoffs. The other loss was to Taylor County when coach Blair Armstrong sat most of his starters in the final regular season game.

About Dixie County: 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. Attacking Dixie County starts with its defense, which has held 7 of its 11 opponents to less than 10 points; only Trenton, Lafayette and Union County twice were able to score more than 10 points. The Bears are led by junior quarterback Aaron Thomas (534 yards, 7 touchdowns), senior tailback James Bowers (932 yards, 16 touchdowns) and junior tailback Julian Robinson (1731 yards, 15 touchdowns). Dixie has won 23 of its last 24 games, including 20-7 against Hamilton County back in October when the two were the top two ranked teams in the state. Scoreless at the half, Dixie County stunned the host Trojans with 14 points within 10 seconds. Seconds after scoring, the Bears stripped the ball away on the ensuing kickoff and retured it for a score. An interception set up another score and 20-0 lead before the Trojans finally were able to score but it was to little to late.