For the last four years, Bolles has been the team to emerge between Regions One and Two in reaching the state championship game in Class 4A. Will Bolles earn a fifth consecutive trip to Orlando this year or will another team steal the thunder and stop the Bulldogs dead in their tracks? First we must sort out who will get past the regional semifinals this weekend. Here is our previews and predictions.
REGION I
No. 5 Bolles (8-2) at No. 3 Walton (10-0)
Last Playoff Appearance: Bolles, 2014; Walton, 2014
Skinny: The good news is Walton is playing their first home playoff game since a 2002 win over Quincy Shanks, the bad news they’re hosting the state’s best program who has won 11 state titles. Bolles was off last week and has two weeks to prepare for stopping Azende Rey, while also getting back several injured players including Amari Terry. Walton has had just a week to prepare for Mac Jones (Kentucky), safety Ahman Ross (Miami), safety Joseph King (Army), tailback Will Mitchell (Middle Tenn State), EJ Porter, tight end Zac Crosby, tailback Jaylen McCloud, tailback Isaiah Westbrook.
Joe Pinkos Line: Bolles 3 over Walton
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Bolles 35, Walton 34
Corey Davis: Bolles 42, Walton 21
Who do you think will win? Vote in our Twitter poll below for the next 24 hours.
POLL: Who wins playoff game between @BollesSchool & #Walton? PREVIEW: https://t.co/u1cjMoiRek #flhsfb
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 12, 2015
Rutherford (3-7) at No. 4 Raines (9-1)
Last Playoff Appearance: Rutherford, 2002; Raines 2014
Skinny: Despite the down year the Rams found away to win their district games to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The reward is a four-hour trip to the Graveyard to take on No. 4 Raines in the first round. Raines is loaded behind playmakers tailback Bishop Bonnett, receiver Ronald Patterson, receiver Rick Wells (Florida), kick returner Willie Wright, tailback Alex Rutledge, linebacker Michael Pickney (Miami), end Jaquan Bailey (Florida), quarterback Augie Debiase, receiver Dalvin Storey and utility player Dajuan Jackson.
Joe Pinkos Line: Raines 35 over Rutherford
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Raines 48, Rutherford 7
Corey Davis: Raines 42, Rutherford 3
Who do you think will win? Vote in our Twitter poll below for the next 24 hours.
POLL: Who wins playoff game between @rutherfordfb & @RainesAthletics? PREVIEW: https://t.co/u1cjMoiRek #flhsfb
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 12, 2015
REGION II
South Sumter (8-2) at Alachua Santa Fe (6-3)
Last Playoff Appearance: South Sumter, 2014; Santa Fe, 2011
Skinny: Santa Fe will be making their first playoff appearance in four years after coming close the last couple of seasons as well as first home playoff game since 1996. Now comes the task of trying to pull the upset over playoff veteran South Sumter. Sumter has a lot to prove after dropping a pair of games in the regular season. One thing you can count on is a dominating defense for Sumter that will give Santa Fe trouble.
Joe Pinkos Line: South Sumter 3 over Santa Fe
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Santa Fe 28, South Sumter 24
Corey Davis: South Sumter 24, Santa Fe 17
Who do you think will win? Vote in our Twitter poll below for the next 24 hours.
POLL: Who wins playoff game between @AthleticsSSHS & @SFHSRaiderFB? PREVIEW: https://t.co/u1cjMoiRek #flhsfb
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 12, 2015
Bradford (7-3) at No. 1 Dunnellon (10-0)
Last Playoff Appearance: Bradford, 2013; Dunnellon, 2010
Skinny: First time in the playoffs for both teams, means one team will get their first win in over ten years. Bradford must play an entire clean game and slow down the pace of the game and try to limit the amount of Dunnellon possessions.
Joe Pinkos Line: Dunnellon 35 over Bradford
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Dunnellon 38, Bradford 6
Corey Davis: Dunnellon 42, Bradford 6
Who do you think will win? Vote in our Twitter poll below for the next 24 hours.
POLL: Who wins playoff game between #Bradford and #Dunnellon? PREVIEW: https://t.co/u1cjMoiRek #flhsfb
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 12, 2015
