Tate (10-2) at Armwood (13-0)
The road: Tate def. Navarre 23-22, Pine Forest 31-7 and Niceville 21-20; Armwood def. Sebring 41-7, Brandon 34-14 and Gainesville 40-20
The Skinny: Playing at Lyle Flagg Field is like playing at Plant or Lakeland, teams enter and rarely come out victorious. However, if there is one team who won’t be scared or intimidated to play on the road Friday its Tate, who was 5-0 on the road in the regular season and has knocked off Navarre, Pine Forest and Niceville on the road in the playoffs to reach their first state semi-final since 2000. The Aggies are led by Sawyer Smith (2,100 yards, 16 TDs), tailbacks Dee Thompson (1,119 yards, 10 TDs) and Alondo Thompkins (1,180 yards, 14 TDs) and receiver Jake Henry (902 yards, 10 TDs). The Hawks are led by quarterback Darrian McNeal (1,073 rushing/19 TDs, 1,486 passing/13 TDs) and running backs Brian Snead (1,186 yards, 17 TDs) and Erin Collins (474 rushing/4 TDs, 331 receiving/4 TDs). Since 2003 when they won the first two consecutive state titles, Armwood is 46-5 during the playoffs.
Joe Pinkos Line: Armwood by 3
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Tate 24, Armwood 21
Corey Davis: Armwood 24, Tate 21
Naples (11-1) at Miami Central (10-2)
The road: Naples def. Estero 58-0, Fort Myers 37-26 and Charlotte 35-0; Central def. Boyd Anderson 20-3, Carol City 46-14 and Mainland 33-21
The Skinny: There was no need for introductions and pre game handshakes in the Mainland and Central meeting last week as for the fourth straight year Central and Mainland meet in the playoffs and for the fourth straight year Central won. Central is trying to win its fourth straight state title and now only Naples only stands in there way again of another trip to Orlando. Naples has been at this point before but it’s a whole different ball game going up against the three time defending state champions.
Joe Pinkos Line: Miami Central by 7
FHSF Predictions
Joshua Wilson: Miami Central 35, Naples 20
Corey Davis: Miami Central 42, Naples 21
