Here is our Class 3A Regional Final preview capsules, along with predictions from Joe Pinkos and FloridaHSFootball.com.
Florida High (6-4) at Jacksonville Trinity Christian (8-3)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Conquerors Field, Jacksonville
Skinny: The last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was six years ago in 2011 in the regional semifinals. Trinity Christian won that game pretty easily in a 36-13 win. Now both teams meet each other for the first time since. The Conquerors are the defending Class 3A state champion and despite three losses on the record, no one has been able to stop them where it really matters most – in Class 3A. Florida High just barely got by Episcopal last week in a 20-17 matchup while Trinity Christian took care of business easily against Taylor County. Keep an eye on QB Bryson Hill who will lead the team from under center for Florida High. On the Trinity Christian sideline, with a plethora of Division I athletes on the roster, we would recommend keep an eye on the entire team, but if there is one player to single out, keep an eye on RB Rasheed Martin who now has over 1,000 yards rushing on the year.
Pinkos Prediction: Trinity Christian by 27
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Trinity Christian 45, Florida High 14
Berkeley Prep (8-2) at Tampa Catholic (6-3)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Crusader Stadium, Tampa
Skinny: A regular season rematch between these two District 3A-4 teams will certainly provide fans a game for their monies worth. When both of these teams met in Week 6 it was certainly a close one with Tampa Catholic pulling out the win 25-10. However, Berkeley Prep has since improved in the second half of the season, we are feeling confident the gap in the score is going to close a little bit here. Keep an eye on QB Davis Koetter who has been a big leader of the Berkeley Prep offense having passed for 1,100 yards already through last week. For Tampa Catholic, watch out for RB Devan Barrett who is the go-to back for the Crusaders and has rushed already for 1,200 plus yards this season.
Pinkos Prediction: Tampa Catholic by 1
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Tampa Catholic 24, Berkeley Prep 20
Clearwater Central Catholic (9-1) at Melbourne Central Catholic (10-0)
Kickoff:Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Hustler Stadium, Melbourne
Skinny: A big matchup here as an improved Melbourne Central Catholic team takes on a perennial power in Clearwater Central Catholic. The host Hustlers have powered their way through a schedule that some thought might cause them a headache this year, but with their sights set on a possible first trip to the state semifinals, they will face their biggest test with the Marauders. With that said, the Hustlers will have to play a near perfect game to keep the Marauders out of a place they know too well in the state semifinals, something they have been too more times than not over the last five years. For Melbourne Central Catholic, keep an eye on QB Joaquin Collazo who has thrown for over 2,100 yards through last week. We recommend you also keep a watch on Clearwater Central Catholic RB Jervon Newton who will help lead a balanced attack on offense. Newton already has over 1,000 yards rushing on the year.
Pinkos Prediction: Melbourne Central Catholic by 14
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Clearwater Central Catholic 35, Melbourne Central Catholic 27
Oxbridge Academy (10-1) vs. Chaminade-Madonna (7-3)
Kickoff: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST
Where: Cooper City High School, Cooper City
Skinny: This matchup in the playoffs has been highly anticipated prior to the start of the season and now we are here in the face of reality with it. However, prior to the season starting a lot of folks thought this would be a game that would help propel Chaminade-Madonna to the state semifinals. Instead, now, it appears Oxbridge could be the team to challenge Trinity Christian to be the top team in Class 3A in a few weeks. For Oxbridge Academy keep an eye on QB Charles Richardson who has thrown for over 1,000 yards this season, while he helps mix things up for the ThunderWolves. For Chaminade-Madonna keep an eye on QB Shaun Shivers who will be a force to be reckoned with who has also thrown for over 1,000 yards as well.
Pinkos Prediction: Oxbridge by 13
FloridaHSFootball.com Prediction: Oxbridge Academy 35, Chaminade-Madonna 28
