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Surprised but not overly surprised on this Park Vista upset. I had a gut feeling that Miramar may have their guard down a little , factored with Park Vista has got better as the season has gone on and are peaking coming into the playoffs, torrential downpours which usually favors the underdog or hungrier dog in the fight. Park Vista just sneaked in the Playoffs in the last week and I am very happy that they have seized the opportunity. I was at the Western at Deerfield game and same deal with the rain. I watched Western almost look like they were welcoming and feeding off the rain going into halftime. Both teams had turnovers DFB had a couple more but Western was putting some hits on DFB.... Western matched DFB physicality throughout the game, and I don't know if DFB expected them to lay down while down 3 pts at halftime in a heavy SFL downpour but Western was the deserving and better team that night. The outcome of the seeds, results and parity of 8 very good football teams or 8A Region 3 are probably the best example of the new playoff system working. In the old system the second seed Douglas would have been playing @ Miramar and they had no business in the post-season this year. Fortunately the new system got the right team there in Park Vista.

Friday night proves to be one of the best nights for playoff football in Brevard. Rockledge takes on Cardinal Gibbons, Melbourne Central Catholic will test Oxbridge Academy, Cocoa should handle Avon Park decidedly, and Viera will have it's hands full with Tampa Plant. 7A looks like one of the better brackets now that the playoffs have started. Getting to STA will be no easy feat for any of the North Florida teams. Viera has one of the best passing records in 7A, with Demorat passing for 2,192 yards and a QB rating of 118.7, with 21 TD's and just 4 int's. McCloud for Plant has 1,778 passing yards, with 24 TD's and 8 int's. Plants QB, McCloud, has 324 rushing yards and 5 TD's, while Demorat has 202 yards rushing and 6 TD's. Both QB's seem capable of leading their teams. Both teams have a stable of RB's, but the Panther's lead in the stats with 2,122 total yards, and an average of 192 per game over Viera's 1,299 yards, for an average of 129 yards per game. Both teams use a shotgun QB, with 1 or 2 backs. Plant will have twins out wide, while Viera will go spread. If either QB has time they will find a receiver. Plant has a more balanced game, but at the price of playing a softer schedule. Viera has some impressive wins this season and seems to be hungry to prove they are worthy of playing for a title. Both teams have been in the playoffs the last few years and know what to expect. Viera will have home field and that could play a factor because Viera's home crowd with the band can get real loud. If the Panther's can get the run game going with a decent passing game then I expect a very close game. Maybe field position and special teams will play a big role. Both teams hit hard and have speed. The Hawks can and will air the ball out. Demorat is dangerous if he has time and the receivers will catch the ball in clutch plays. The Panther's run game is better when the passing game is working. Plant has the talent to break runs of 20 yards or more and they will break a few. The stats; Plant has a strength of schedule of 23.7, and is ranked 34th in Florida. The Panthers are giving up an average of 7 points per game and scoring an average of 37 points. Viera's strength of schedule is 35.1, and ranked 7th in Florida. The Hawks are giving up an average of 8 points per game, and scoring an average of 35 points. Who wins. I'm going with Viera because of the tougher schedule. This really shouldn't be a surprise. Viera has been quietly building a championship team and the Hawks have the coaching to take the team all the way. Viera worked hard on conditioning over the summer and it shows. Plant has been in big games many times and is aware of what is in front of them. I have a feeling this is going to be a hard hitting game and both defense's will be called on to go that extra mile. The defense that answers the call will carry their team to victory.

The reality is that state championships should be allowed to be on Sunday. People should not have to take off work to see their school, classmates, and family play in a state championship. Thursday 8 pm (1A) Friday 4 pm (2A) and 8 pm (6A) Saturday 12pm (3A) , 4 pm(5A) , 8 pm (7A) Sunday 4 pm (4A) and 8 pm (8A) (use the schools that are closest to state final to play Sunday at 8pm)

If the football stinks, why were you at a game in Pasco County? Also, you obviously don't know what you're talking about, ZCA and Victory Christian played last week, and ZCA did not get thumped. Oh, I forgot, LOL.

Madison just hasn't played any tough competition, you can't fill your schedule with cupcakes like Columbia and expect to be ready for the 1A playoffs.

Maybe because I wanted it to be. It was nothing against you or the Tigers.

Thanks for reminding me josh Lol

Dixie County is a disciplined and well coached football team. (Just ask Pahokee) All I heard last year was... how great Madison was, and how they were going to destroy Pahokee. Pahokee ran the ball down their throat. The score was 21-6 at halftime. It could have been worse but Pahokee decided to throw the ball in the second half.... WTH? This year Pahokee is much better at running the ball. So if Madison is lucky to get pass Dixie County, it should be interesting.

Ok. I still feel sorry for you.

No, I do not know exactly what he means. I think it is nonsense and childish in the way he tried to get his point across. He's just seeking attention, which he is getting, even if it's good or bad. He'll have an excuse for everything so there's no reasoning with the comments he makes. We'll just agree to disagree and let the KIDS play the game.

You hit the nail on the head. Also, I don't really think that their two QB's are exceptional at all, like in years past. I believe that has a lot to do with their sluggish performances at times in games. Hightower has saved them on a few occasions. I think he must be the best HS player in the country. NFL material right about now.

The reason that I'm a little concerned about this game is historical. Pasco HS is currently a 6A team and was a pretty strong team in 5A from 2008 through 2012 going to the playoffs each of those years. The North Marion Colts are a 5A team and were the best public HS team in Marion County. The Colts met Pasco 3 times in the playoffs and lost all three times. Very close games but they still lost. In those years Vanguard was not as good as the Colts. In those years North Marion was every bit as good as Vanguard is today with a couple of exceptions. North Marion really never had a passing game as good as that of Vanguard. Vanguard's QB's have been exceptional the last 3 years or so. Vanguard also has a better overall defense than North Marion did. Since 2013 Mitchell has defeated Pasco every time they have played them and by big margins. I know that Pasco has been down since the end of the 2012 season and that may be the reason they had lost to Mitchell. Before 2013 Pasco pretty much owned Mitchell.

Doesn't really have to be primetime. But those 10am games are not good.

Yup that's him

Is this you too? https://twitter.com/nolebull8131/status/929144120135835648

Why? I don't have an hatred or animosity for Pasco County. That's the part people can't decipher. They think criticism is hatred. If you ask any knowledgeable person how Pasco County football is compared to the top teams in the state they will tell you not good. Mitchell is a great team COMPARED to other Pasco County teams. They are not good at all COMPARED to the state's top teams. It's not hard to understand

He knows you are young and can take it. If it don't kill ya, will make ya stronger!

This team has a lot of big game experience. From Allen ,TX to Gonzaga, Wa.and deep play-off runs the last 2 years, they are up to the task, which is the first time in its history this can be said. The fortunes of the team revolve around the development of QB DeMorat. Second year starter he has come a long way this season. The staff has continued to feed him with greater flexibility as the season has progressed. He truly looked better then Kingston in the last game. I'm not talking about the competition,Gaither, but his ability to see all the field and hit the tougher outside routes,as opposed to the simple slants he has been hitting for two years.Simply put, if he is not pressured from the Plant defense, and matches his performance of last week, no teams but Venice and STA can slow him down or beat this Hawk team. Viera defense is the surprise part of this team. Would not trade our starting 11 for anybodies. Great athletes in secondary(can cover top receivers in state), front 7 misses few tackles,when they get their hands on you ,your done.Very disciplined team, won't beat themselves. Special teams are a strength, elite returners in Atkins, Q.Phillips, Travis Jones (have all scored on returns). Two elite punter and kicker puts ball in end-zone probably 90%.Both will play at the next level. One final comment, it would be dangerous to only observe stats with this offense, only played 9 games. Running clocks and blow-outs after first half have been the norm. I'll predict this Hawk keeps soaring as QB DeMorat builds more confidence.. VIERA 31 - plant 17

I actually feel sorry for you.

So glad Richt is at Miami. The Canes being a contender again just makes things seem right in the world.

Pasco County does not stink. We had 5-of-15 teams make the FHSAA playoffs this season, with three teams (Mitchell 11-0, Zephyrhills 10-1 and Wiregrass Ranch (9-2) advancing to the 2nd round. Mitchell is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A Region 2 and are well-coached and disciplined. They have won three straight district titles and have had nine straight winning seasons. They do have an excellent RB in Mychael Hamilton, who is a 3-year starter with 3,999 career rushing yards and 43 TD's. Kid is also a beast on defense. They're do have solid WR's, and a solid defense, which it shows in their 42 sacks and 11 interceptions this season. Also, have one of the best kickers in the area. These two teams played last year in the 2nd round as well, which Vanguard won 46-23. Mitchell was leading at the half 23-20, but Vanguard took over in the 2nd half. Mitchell is a better team this season, so we'll let them settle it on the football field for this year's outcome. Hope this helps...

Same. It almost seems like UM had been holding back prior to these last two weeks. Very impressed.

Do you all play in any major tournaments (or at least statewide tourneys) If so let me know how you all do in those Tourneys are best ways to see the most teams at once Ik we play Hitchcock every year in basketball and while technically off-topic ik softball usually plays in Kissimmee klassic which one of most well known tournaments in Florida so if they go down There I'll be interested how they do Sorry for getting off-topic lol Point is these tourneys are definitely worth covering bc you can see so many teams at once

See, that's why I love message boards! Great posters like MuckCityChamp and Broward can fill in the blanks for me:-)

Not taking anything away from Lakes, because they are good and athletic on defense, but the only reason that game was close is because 5 of Oxbridge"s best players were suspended for either a quarter or a half in that game.

If Corbin is out then I doubt Rockledge can get into high gear. Gibbons just has to many good offensive players and minus your main Rockledge guy is huge.

Shocking upset and great win by Park Vista. The last time they made noise in 8A was losing to Boone in the third round in 2007, I believe.

And why did the lincoln sideline have to be the cover photo for it

Vero Beach 28 Riverview 24. VB moves on to the third round.

The Crestview vs GB game was an awesome game. GB had a chance and definitely could’ve shaken things up. It would not shock me that Escambia beats Crestview. They are a completely different team from what they were earlier in the season.

I heard Columbia was having an intrasquad game.

Man both teams were on 99 jams Thursday night and they ask both schools score predictions n one of the kids for CC said Dillard would have a doughnut on the board.. I guess they did it... Sucks it rained all night tho..