Florida HS Football’s Class 4A State Semifinals Preview

FloridaHSFootball.com breaks down tonight’s Class 4A state semifinals with the final four teams remaining to contend for two spots that will have them playing at the Citrus Bowl next week. Included is our predictions from Publisher Joshua Wilson and Senior Writer Corey Davis as well as Joe Pinkos’ prediction.

Raines (11-1) at Alachua Santa Fe (8-3)
The road: Raines def. Rutherford 41-0 and def. Bolles 34-8; Santa Fe def. South Sumter 26-0 and def. Dunnellon 15-14
Skinny: It’s been 20 years since either team has advanced this far in the playoffs; since 1994 for Santa Fe when they won their second state title and since 1998 for Raines (1997 state champs) when they fell to Madison County. A big reason both teams have made it this far is their defense, the Raiders have only surrendered 14 points in two playoff games, while the Vikings have surrendered just 8. While both have explosive offenses this one comes to which defense can stop the other. The tough task for the Raiders defense is no matter who you shut down the Viikngs have 10 other weapons to go. Quarterback Auggie Debiase (1,569 yards, 18 TDs) has the best receiving core in the state with Rick Wells (406 yards, 5 TDs), Ronald Patterson (586 yards, 12 TDs) and Dalvin Storey (468 yards, 5 TDs) to go along with tailbacks Alex Rutledge (946 yards, 10 TDs), Daquan Jackson (254 yards, 5 TDs) and Bishop Bonett (186 yards, 4 TDs). Don’t dare kick to return specialist Willie Wright who nearly 700 return yards and 7 touchdowns. Santa Fe will try to counter with quarterback Ale Sheppard, tailbacks Caysaun Wakeley, BJ Williams and Fred Jones matched up against the Vikings Michael Pinckney (66 tackles, 8 sacks), Jaquan Bailey (80 tackles, 14 sacks), Jacquan Holt (56 tackles, 5 sacks) and Tyrann Baxter (66 tackles, 5 sacks).
Joe Pinkos Line: Raines 7 over Santa Fe
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Raines 27, Santa Fe 17
Corey Davis: Raines 28, Santa Fe 14

Twitter Poll Results:

POLL: Who will win the 4A State Semifinal between @RainesAthletics & @SFHSRaiderFB on Friday? #flhsfb

— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 25, 2015

Cocoa (10-2) at Booker T Washington (7-5)
The road: Cocoa def. Bishop Verot 49-12 and def. Avon Park 51-8; Washington def. University 41-18 and def. Glades Central 35-21
Skinny: While the North semi-final features two teams who haven’t played in the Final Four in a while, the South semi-final features two teams that are very familiar with competiting for state titles. Cocoa won’t need any extra motivation to get up for this one, as for the fifth straight year Cocoa and Booker T meet in the state semi-finals, Booker T has won four straight in the series ending the Tigers season in the process. Is the year Cocoa ends the streak and finally makes it to Orlando with a beavy of playmakers including: quarterback Bruce Judson (650 passing/11 TDs, 1,292 rushing/14 TDs), tailbacks Timmy Pratt (1,631 yards, 14 TDs) and Howard Stewart (626 yards, 9 TDs) and receivers Chauncey Gardner (235 yards, 5 TDs) and Zach Armour (246 yards, 4 TDs) its quite possible. Gardner is a multiple threat on offense and defense and has accumlated 893 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns. Jekevius Henry (103 tackles) and Zach Beagle (91 tackles, 4 sacks) will have the task of trying to contain a young but athletic Tornadoes offense featuring quarterback Daneil Richardson (1,895 yards, 20 TDs), tailback Craig Nelson (403 yards, 4 TDs) and receiver Raymond Flowers (814 yards, 8 TDs), Darrius Scott (526 yards, 3 TDs) and Gustavious Dames (275 yards, 5 TDs). With a new coach and several playmakers transferring, this was suppose to be a rebuilding year and the Tornadoes took their lumps early with losses to St. Thomas Aquinas, Central, Northwestern, Jackson, Columbus, three of which are still playing this week. A big reason the Tornadoes are back in the state semi-finals again for the fifth straight year is their defense which has registered 39 sacks and 10 interceptions.
Joe Pinkos Line: Cocoa 6 over Booker T. Washington.
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Cocoa 28, Booker T. Washington 27
Corey Davis: Booker T. Washington 35, Cocoa 24

Twitter Poll Results:

POLL: Who will win the 4A State Semifinal between @CocoaHighSchool & @MiamiBTW_FB on Friday? #flhsfb

— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) November 25, 2015