The state semifinals are in the books and there were a couple of surprising results along with some nail bitting action as teams around the state punched their tickets to the 2023 FHSAA State Championships in Tallahassee next week at Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee. Here is a recap of all the action from the 18 state semifinal games that took place across the Sunshine State on Thursday and Friday nights.
CLASS 4M
No. 1 Columbus (Miami) 27, No. 4 Plant (Tampa) 7 – The Explorers dispatched the Panthers who were in the state semifinals for the first time since 2018 earning a hard-fought win to get the right to defend their Class 4M state championship. Agyeman Addae and Speedy Bandy had rushing touchdowns while Alberto Mendoza threw for a touchdown. Robert Czeremcha had two field goal for the Explorers including a 5t1-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
And that’s the game!!! EXPLORERS WIN 27-7 and advance to the state finals!!!!! @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/P7QJfxoAJY
— CCNN Live (@CCNNLive) December 2, 2023
No. 3 Mandarin (Jacksonville) 51, No. 2 Monarch (Coconut Creek) 21 – The Knights, appearing in their first state semifinal contest in program history, was no match for the visiting Mustangs who were looking to get to the state championship game for the first time since winning it all in 2018 in Class 8A. The Mustangs which started out early in the game struggling eventually pulled away in the second half to setup a rematch against Columbus who they won the state championship against in 2018.
MANDARIN IS TALLAHASSEE BOUND
FINAL
Mandarin 51
Monarch 21@Mandarin_HS_FB @CFreemanJAX— Jon Santucci (@JonSantucci) December 2, 2023
CLASS 3M
No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) 50, No. 4 Gaither (Tampa) 14 – The magic ran out for the Gaither Cowboys who had to face the juggernaut of defending Class 3M state champion St. Thomas Aquinas. The Raiders dominated from the start as they led by a large margin at halftime, but never could get the running clock going to end the game despite the 50-14 score. The Raiders now get a chance to become the first team in the Sunshine State to win five straight state championships.
https://twitter.com/sta_football/status/1730945702908269024?s=61&t=YnUdI_gdfRrjWWsEaRnyNw
No. 2 Homestead 42, No. 3 Jones (Orlando) 35 – In a rematch from last year’s Class 3M state semifinal, but this time at Harris Field, Jones gave it everything they got but it was not enough as it the host Broncos edged the Tigers to return to the Class 3M state championship game for the second straight season. The difference in the game was turnovers for Homestead as they edge Jones in that category that led them to victory.
CLASS 2M
No. 1 Miami Norland 28, No. 4 Bolles (Jacksonville) 7 – The Vikings which knocked off the defending Class 2M state champions last week, now will have a chance to win it all for the first time since defeating Wakulla in the 2011 Class 5A state championship. The Vikings were led by Juan Rodriguez’s 195 rushing yards as they turned back a visiting Bulldogs team that had seen a late season surge during the playoffs that knocked off teams like Raines (Jacksonville) and Bishop Moore (Orlando) along the way.
No. 3 Berkeley Prep (Tampa) 17, No. 2 American Heritage (Plantation) 14 – There won’t be a second straight state championship game appearance for the Patriots who let it slip away late in the game against the visiting Buccaneers who will appear in a state championship game for the second time in three seasons. Dallas Golden scored what’s would be the game-winning touchdown and two-point conversion to upset the national ranked Patriots on the road.
https://twitter.com/isaacedelman/status/1730783658552762849?s=61&t=YnUdI_gdfRrjWWsEaRnyNw
CLASS 1M
No. 1 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) 47, Archbishop Carroll (Miami) 7 – The visiting Bulldogs in their first state semifinal appearance in program history was no match for the defending Class 1M state champion Chaminade-Madonna. Quarterback Cedrick Bailey went 7-of-10 passing for 109 yards and four touchdowns while Jeremiah Smith, Davion Gause and Angelo Smith each had a rushing touchdown. Joshisa Trader had 100 yards receiving and two scores for Chaminade-Madonna. The Lions also made history by reaching their eight-consecutive state championship game which dates back to 2016, the first year that current head coach Dameon Jones took over the program.
No. 2 Clearwater Central Catholic 39, No. 3 Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) 32 – The visiting Conquerors got off to a hot start, leading 20-7 at one point in the game. However, the host Marauders surged back late again and then took the lead late like they did against Carrollwood Day last week to edge Trinity Christian to advance to the Class 1M state championship for the second consecutive year to setup a rematch of last year’s state championship game against Chaminade-Madonna.
— Marauder Athletics (@CCCMarauders) December 2, 2023
CLASS 4S
No. 4 Lakeland 21, No. 1 Buchholz (Gainesville) 20 – A missed extra point by the host Bobcats is the story of this game along with a tip interception inside their own territory that led points by the visiting Dreadnaughts that tell the story of this game. For Buchholz this was their straight trip to the state semifinals and the closest they were to reaching their first state championship game since winning the Class 4A state title in 1990. Buchholz got off to a 14-0 start in the first quarter, but it was 14-14 by the time the end of the first half concluded. Lakeland, under first-year head coach Marvin Frazier will now get a chance to go for state championship No. 9 and defend their Class 4S state championship in the process.
IT IS OVER IN GAINESVILLE! LAKELAND IS HEADING BACK TO THE 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE!
Lakeland 21, Buchholz 20 – FINAL #flhsfb https://t.co/FExbPZFobD #flhsfb @CenFLAPreps @ThePrepZone @ridaught @mpallman @H2_Recruiting @FHS7v7A @football305407…
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 2, 2023
No. 2 Venice 51, DeLand 21 – Venice knew what it was going to take as they took on the single-wing offense of Rick Darlington’s DeLand Bulldogs and they showed a master class in how to defend it in the process, rolling out to a big lead by halftime and never turning back to send them to their third straight state championship game. Alvin Johnson III led in rushing with 172 yards and two touchdowns while Jamarice Wilder had 120 yards rushing and two scores as well. Quarterback Jayden Glasser also scored two rushing touchdowns on the night.
CLASS 4S: @VeniceIndianFB 51, @DeLand_FB 21, FINAL @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL @CenFLAPreps @football305407 @HSFB_Scoreboard @FlaHSFootball @DanLaForestFB @larryblustein @JonSantucci @HSFBamerica @BigCountyPreps1 @OrlandoTD_Club @baylintrujillo @PMOWriter #flhsfb pic.twitter.com/gpIRBol2um
— Andy Villamarzo (@Andy_Villamarzo) December 2, 2023
CLASS 3S
No. 1 St. Augustine 35, No. 4 Dunbar (Fort Myers) 14 – The visiting Tigers, playing in their second consecutive state semifinal found St. Augustine to be very overwhelming as the Yellow Jackets were in the first state semifinal since a 2020 triple overtime loss to Lake Minneola in Class 6A that year. The Yellow Jackets riding high on solid offense along with some tough defense dispatched the Tigers to send St. Augustine to their first state championship game appearance since 2007.
FINAL@SAHSJackets 35
Dunbar 14Saint Augustine is in the state championship game for the first time since 2007@FlaHSFootball @DBNJSports @ChrisBoyleDBNJ @NorthflJohnson @DuvalSports @ByCoreyDavis @CFreemanJAX @CenFLAPreps #FootballCounty pic.twitter.com/UWlCBj0ffQ
— Michael Lischio Jr. (@FootballCounty1) December 2, 2023
No. 2 Mainland (Daytona Beach) 34, No. 3 Vanguard (Ocala) 12 – It is going to be back-to-back state championship game appearances for the Buccaneers of Mainland as they finished off business against visiting Vanguard. On the hunt for the school’s first state championship since 2003, Mainland has the chance to finish something they came up short last year in a 32-30 loss to Lake Wales in the Class 3S state championship game.
THE @FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE SEMIFINAL PLAYOFF SPOTLIGHT
FINAL @TheMainlandHSFB WILL NOW PLAY IN THE CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE SEASON!@FLgridironpreps @FlaHSFootball @Andy_Villamarzo @vmichaels18 @JMarkG1962 @DanLaForestFB @elite100prospec… pic.twitter.com/4ausGKqwaY— Central Florida Preps (@CenFLAPreps) December 2, 2023
CLASS 2S
No. 1 Cocoa 41, No. 4 Booker (Sarasota) 3 – The Cinderella story of the Booker Tornadoes came to an end as the host Tigers excelled in all three phases of the game in mercy ruling the game. Now the Tigers will get a chance to defend their Class 2S state championship next week.
STATE BOUND! Tigers defeat Booker 41-3
Cocoa heads to the State Championship for the 3rd straight season @CocoaFootball @Cocoa_Schneider pic.twitter.com/dvEkSS9KWe
— Juan D. (@jd_rodriguez__) December 2, 2023
No. 2 Bradford (Starke) 22, No. 3 Pensacola Catholic 21 (OT) – After being down 14-0 through three quarters, the host Tornadoes stormed back in the fourth quarter, touching down twice in the end zone with help of scores from Nigel Nelson and Jeremiah McKenzie to force overtime. In overtime it would be Dae’jon Shanks who scored the touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion on a gutsy call to go for the win by head coach Jamie Rodgers to send Bradford to their first state championship game since 1985. As such they will get a rematch with Cocoa, the team that defeated them in the state semifinals last year.
Before OT and after! Coach Jamie Rodgers after going for the win in OT, a 2-point conversion Bradford @BHSTornadoFB trailing Pensacola Catholic 21-20! They'd win 22-21!
Nerves of steal! Congrats Coach! @Jrod2245 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Wo8EwoYCHG— Rev. Andre' Ellis (@andreellis55) December 2, 2023
CLASS 1S
No. 4 Trinity Catholic (Ocala) 51, No. 1 First Baptist (Naples) 36 – Unlike last year’s meeting in the Class 1S state championship game that saw First Baptist winning it all, Trinity Catholic returned the favor and then some as the Celtics have now posted two 50-plus point games in the playoffs in the last three games played. Trinity Catholic’s defense posted three sacks and recorded three interceptions in the victory. The Celtics also make history as appear to be the first team with a losing-record in Florida to reach a state championship game after having a 3-7 record in the regular season.
https://twitter.com/coachbrantleytc/status/1730801226881638666?s=61&t=YnUdI_gdfRrjWWsEaRnyNw
No. 2 Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota) 41, No. 3 North Florida Christian (Tallahassee) 14 – The host Cougars dispatched the visiting Eagles with a lot of fire as Cardinal Mooney will be playing in their first state championship game since winning it all in Class A in 1972.
https://twitter.com/mooney_fb/status/1730823084620579157?s=61&t=YnUdI_gdfRrjWWsEaRnyNw
CLASS 1R
No. 1 Hawthorne 49, No. 4 Blountstown 0 – In a rematch of last year’s Class 1R state semifinal, the Hornets did even more damage to the visiting Tigers this time around as quarterback CJ Ingram, the son of head coach Cornelius Ingram, threw for four touchdowns. The Hornets’ defense allowed Blountstown only three first-downs and never allowed them cross midfield at all during the game as the Tigers were troubled with mishaps throughout the game. The win sends Hawthorne to the rural classification state championship game for the fourth consecutive year with a chance to defend their state championship next week.
#FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE SEMIFINAL
Hawthorne 49, Blountstown 0 – FINAL #flhsfb https://t.co/FExbPZFobD
Hawthorne will defend their Class 1R state championship as they head to the state championship game for the 4th consecutive year!@CenFLAPreps @ThePrepZone @ridaught @mpallman…
— FloridaHSFootball.com (@FlaHSFootball) December 1, 2023
No. 2 Madison County (Madison) 61, Bozeman (Panama City) 22 – The magical run for the Bozeman Bucks came to an end as the Cowboys return to the state championship game for the first time since 2021 where they defeated Hawthorne 13-12 in the Class 1A state championship game. The Cowboys raced off to a hot start in the first half scoring over 40 points and never turning back to send Price Harris to his first state championship game in his head coaching career and setup a showdown with Hawthorne next week.
