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Safety first, says DarterBlue. After a long day, He'd rather face the hazards of driving in Florida versus the wrath of the wife. I understand completely. Safety First!!!

A.J Graham

Living in Tallahassee, I’m attending the three championship games and I thought that I’d post my thoughts on the games and experience here as each game raps up. Game 1: Victory Christian vs. Champagnat Attendance: At peak I would estimate about 4-500 fans on the VC side and about 60 or so on the Champ side for a total of about 500. There were a few locals but overall I feel the local media market did a bad job of promoting. I talked some with 3 HS football fans from South Georgia who had heard about the game the same day and decided to drive down. Atmosphere: Not bad for a Thursday night game involving two out of town teams. The first half the crowd was pretty engaged, however as the game wore on and Champ took control, it did fade a bit down the stretch. Props to VC for bringing their cheerleaders and a drum line to the game. Also, I want to give kudos to the FHSAA who really has done a great job transforming Gene Cox Stadium into a championship atmosphere. The Game: Early on it looked like VC was going to take control. They did a very good job initially spreading the field and moving the ball, but then for some reason after some initial success, they transitioned into a running game between the tackles and got stuffed for the rest of the night. Champ did a much better job mixing things up, but it was a pretty sloppy game for both teams. Lots of odd playcalling decisions on both sides (Champ attempting an onside kick up 21 in the late 3rd quarter, odd short yardage play calls on 4th and 15-20 by VC). Just overall sort of a weird game, but pretty entertaining. Looking Ahead: Should be a great atmosphere tonight. I’m expecting 3,000 people or more depending on how well Chaminade travels. Weather will be perfect. Should be a good game.

Just being straight with you, when I watched the clip (from both angles), what I saw was pretty standard, common-place WR on DB blocking. Yes, it looks like the WR grabbed the DB's jersey (or sleeves) towards the end of the block, but by the time I saw this, the RB was 3-4 yards past the WR/DB. I could see where a referee watching the play in real time might conclude, in the split second he has to make or not make the call, that the holding part of the block didn't affect the play, as it was behind the play. I'm not saying that's the right answer, but I could see how that answer could be justified. What made that play successful, in my opinion, was the timing. The QB got the ball of just in time and Madison's released the two big O-linemen who were then able to attack the smaller DB's out in space and in front of the player who caught the pass. I have no comment on any other calls or no-calls, but as a guy with no dog in the fight, I wouldn't be pointing to a non-call on that one play as the reason why one team won or lost that game. Like I said, just trying to keep it real. If you're a PK fan, you can and should be proud of the season they had and the game they gave MC.

Baker is the other

If the games were in Sarasota or farther I would. But for Daytona, which is about an hour from home, I would have a lot of explaining to do to the wife

My question is why doesn't the state allow boosters to raise money for coaches or give these guys incentive performance base contracts? I mean to pay those guys one set stipend if Team A goes 2-8 or 15-0, what is the motivation or carrot for these coaches? But we then complain when the coaches leave for other states that will pay them for the work they do.

I actually think this could be a very good game. Central has a very good running game, but they are not unbeatable. It is hard for me to evaluate Escambia as there is no "free video" available. But they are undefeated and Palmetto did give Central a great game last week.

I will probably go Friday (dec 13th) game.

Beautiful assessment! I respectfully disagree. I think the holding actually started as soon as the WR caught the the ball. The WR continued to hold the DB until the ball carrier was 3 to 4 yards in front of him. (Ironically, the referee was right there) Out of all the defenders, #17 was in the best position to either make the tackle or at least..slow the receiver down. I am a Pahokee fan but I've worked in Madison (I have love for both), and a Madison fan actually sent me this video. I wouldn't take anything away from either team. It was a great game between two really good football teams. I'm sure they will both meet again in the future..

Good stuff!

No it won't Madison 52-0 blunts town.

Just don’t think 17 tried to make the tackle!

Lakeland was fairly close to this, winning one by 34 and losing one by 49. Both to the same school, of course.

I would attend but I don’t want to get punched in the face. Lol

Baker lost 48-6 last year against Madison County and beat Glades Day in 1984 by 41. They won 48-7

Armwood is one

I agree. Jones has been around over 100 years and is the only surviving, historically black high school in the Orlando area. The crowd will be almost as big as when Northwestern played Boone back in 2007. That game did not live up to the crowd size, though; but well over 20,000 were at the Citrus Bowl for it.

Jones and NW will sell out. Nw will bring minimum 5k.

Good guesses. I would say there are 400-500 here for tonight’s 2A game. Probably 300ish from victory and 50-100 from champagnat.

That was me, lol. Came back 5 minutes later thinking the issue would be resolved. Came back 10 minutes later thinking, the problem must be on my end. I've got to be strong, must find something else to do. What else can I do? I know!!! Let me clear my browser cache. That'll certainly do the trick. Noooooooooo!!!!!!! What else can I do! I know. Let me try a different device. Nooooooooooo!!!!! I'll try one more time before I go to sleep.... No mas. Didn't shed a tear but I felt funny.

Promotion/Relegation would help. I look at a school like Wolfson (Jacksonville), they played a schedule where the teams were a combined 31-70 and went 7-3 against them. They could have been 10-0 and the reality is, I am ok with it. Wolfson is bad and has struggled for the past 10 years. They were competitive. If you had shown me their schedule, I would have thought it was a fair schedule for a team of Wolfson's ability. And that is what we need to encourage. Most teams should be able to look at their 10 game schedule and see 2-3 games that are cupcakes, 2-3 games that are stretch games against teams that are better, but on a perfect night, you can beat them. The remainder should be competitive games. I don't think large districts helps because you can't hide from the tough opponent then. Out of the 16 State-Finals last week, 6 of them were still decided by more than 20 points. At this point in the year, you would expect the games to be closer. Now, that still means 10 were less than that which is good, but even the next 2 weeks, how many of the 8 state championship games will be decided by more than 20?

Darter, MarkE, Myself and maybe the infamous Peezster from what I hear.

Kids could transfer in or out in 24 hours. Every kid on the team would have the nickname "Prime Time." Mascot: The Fighting Deliverymen. Don't worry about putting your film on Hudl; we already have it. I'll be here all week. Remember to tip your bartenders and servers.

I hope it is not a running clock

JU shut down it's 22 year old football program. They probably overshot the level and cost of the program. Never really a scholarship football program, but shame as it a loss opportunity for many Florida players. https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/division-i-school-announces-it-is-shutting-down-its-football-program/