Here is our Class 2A Regional Final preview capsules, along with predictions from Joe Pinkos and FloridaHSFootball.com.
North Florida Christian (7-3) at University Christian (7-2)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: University Christian Stadium
Skinny: Here is a rematch from last year’s playoff which saw the Fighting Christians win in a shootout with the Eagles, 38-30. Could another shootout be in the works again? That answer is very likely yes. The question being in all of this which team really wants to get to the state semifinals next week with a possible trip to Victory Christian on the line? That is the big question in all of this. For North Florida Christian keep an eye on is RB Terrell Powell who is their leading rusher with over 1,000 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. For University Christian keep an eye on RB Otis Anderson who is their top running back in all of this and was approaching nearly 1,000 yards before the playoffs.
Pinkos Prediction: University Christian by 14
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: University Christian 38, North Florida Christian 27
Foundation Academy (7-4) at Victory Christian (9-1)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:00 p.m. EST
Where: Victory Field at Southeastern University, Lakeland
Skinny: Here is another rematch from the regular season, this time from District 2A-4. Foundation Academy would love nothing more than to extract a little revenge on Victory Christian for the 24-16 loss back on Oct. 14. However, it seems that at the moment Victory Christian might be peaking just at the right time looking to get back to Orlando for the first time since 2014. Foundation Academy rolled past Deltona Trinity Christian last week while Victory Christian easily took care of business against Warner Christian. Look for RB Jaquane Patterson to be the go-to guy on the ground for the Lions who already has over 1,000 yards rushing this season and 11 touchdowns. For Victory Christian keep an eye on QB Dalton Jenner, who will help lead a balanced offense on the field. Jenner has already thrown for over 1,600 yards through last week.
Pinkos Prediction: Victory Christian by 3
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Victory Christian 35, Foundation Academy 24
Cambridge Christian (9-0) at Northside Christian (9-2)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Brandes-Russell Field, St. Petersburg
Skinny: A big battle between two of the best Class 2A teams in Tampa Bay is on deck with this Class 2A-Region 3 final for Friday night. There are a lot of questions surrounding this game as who is better prepared and who wants it more. Our question is simply this: can Northside Christian stop the 2015 Class 2A runner-up in a quest to make it their year or will there be a letdown? That remains to be seen. Cambridge easily took over Admiral Farragut last week while Northside was able to shutout Seffner Christian. Keep an eye on QB Jaylin Jackson for Cambridge who is a dual-threat option for them with over 1,800 yards on offense through last week. For Northside Christian, keep an eye on QB Griffin Alstott who has passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns through last week and has plenty of options to throw to in getting the ball down the field.
Pinkos Prediction: Cambridge Christian by 3
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Cambridge Christian 38, Northside Christian 35
Naples First Baptist (8-3) vs. Champagnat (8-1)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: North Miami Stadium, North Miami
Skinny: Both of these teams have been here before in this position knowing that win will get them a trip to the state semifinals. The question is which team is the better team? Don’t look at the records, because that means nothing at this point. It all comes down to what kind of schedule these teams have played and how they have played. Both teams did have one common opponent this year and that was Melbourne Central Catholic, a team both teams lost to late in the season. Keep an eye on RB Jayce Howell for First Baptist as he has rushed for over 1,400 yards this season and over 20 touchdowns. At Champagnat, watch out for QB Kervin Dessources as he has a variety of targets to hit in the passing game.
Pinkos Prediction: First Baptist by 7
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: First Baptist 38, Champagnat 28
