BrowardHandicapper

Here are some highlights:

Very good point with the special teams difference. CM's QB still had some money deep balls with that shoulder. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery and can rest up for the spring after a grueling schedule and season.

What a game....A game that both lived up to the long awaited hype, and both teams played as advertised. Having seen the game live, breaking down the box score, and reviewing the play by play , as cliche as it sounds but I'll say it again...It is fortunate their had to be a loser in this game. My thoughts were this game ultimately would go on how CM RB Shivers goes (which I presented why with all of CMs losses over the last 2 years on another thread). I knew Kentucky commit S/DB Antavious Lane was out with a undisclosed injury but figured with a deep secondary, Oxbridge Academy could wing it and be fine....However when I saw Wells Dusenbury's tweet at 6:15 AM on game day about 4 Star/ 25 offer CJ Smith https://247sports.com/Player/CJ-Smith-90561 out with with a broken hand (somehow at the last minute) I said this one could get ugly now and was disappointed that OA would not be at full force in that secondary....I figured CM was going to attack the middle with Shivers to slip through LBs all day with the 6'2", 195 lb bruiser in Smith not being present. As good as the OA DL did overall in the game banging with the CM OL every once in a while there were holes that would open that you could drive a golf cart through. This allowed the shifty Shivers to not only gain speed but lateral movement which ultimately led to chunks of yardage mostly up the middle. Could CJ Smith's presence possibly have neutralized this? We'll never know.... Outside of that, the Oxbridge LBs and secondary did a pretty good job containing the CM WRs. I understand they got beat on a couple but against that stable of WRs coming at you and down to starters back there it was still a fine job of containment IMO. Oxbridge offensively to me had a great game plan , flirted with the run a bit , realized and accepted the fact that they couldn't establish the ground game yet still sprinkled just enough runs in to keep CM honest to allow QB Gio Richardson to surgically pick up first downs when needed, establish drives, and most importantly keep the ball out the Lions hands. Richardson threw for 286 yards on the day and 3 TDs. The Junior QB , and Oxbridge were able to complete 3 of 6 fourth downs in the game as the Thunderwolves masterfully played the possession game with a 24-14 first down and 7 minute possession advantage. I will add that although Oxbridge was pretty much shut down on the run, sacked 5 times, QB Gio Richardson scrambled efficiently netting 55 yards on the ground including a TD. Chaminade-Madonna also played a great game, and did what they do best by punishing teams with big plays. Even though they gambled a few times overall and lost, CM's DL and LBs got big pressure on Oxbridge's front and QB limiting any kind of large gains. Offensively , CM is a absolute machine and I have watched their chemistry develop since preseason. Bottom line again...You don't stop RB Shaun "Worm" Shivers particularly for large gains, you are probably not going to beat the Chaminade-Madonna Lions. CM QB Daelen Menard was composed, efficient and picked up a huge first down on about a 20 yard scamper on the game winning drive. It was almost as if he was waiting for his spot lulling the Thunderwolf D to sleep on him on that play and Menard came up with the huge play. Oxbridge's game plan was so good that Shivers rushed for 223 yards, averaged over 7 yards a carry, yet the Thunderwolves still were in the game with a chance to win it. A few things I would point out that may have changed the outcome of this game: - Lane out hurt Oxbridge but add top defensive player CJ Smith on top of that facing one of the best 3A offenses we have seen to date.... - CM got the ball to start the game but quickly were 3 and out ...until a roughing the punter penalty allowed CM to keep the ball and start a fresh set of down on the Oxbridge 46, 3 gashes by Shaun Shivers later you have a 7-0 football game off the start. Part of the game but that is one Oxbridge would probably like to have back... - Maybe I'm wrong but it seemed Oxbridge had the ball inside or near the CM red zone a few more times in the game then versa. Could they have considered kicking a FG perhaps with the brisk wind on their back if the opportunity was there? Here are a couple of note: Just before halftime: OXBRIDGE ACADEMY drive start at 02:15. 1-10 CM 28 Timeout Chaminade-Madonna, clock 02:15. 1-10 CM 28 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to De'John King. 2-10 CM 28 Gio Richardson rush for 6 yards to the CM22, out-of-bounds (Keontra Smith). 3-4 CM 22 Luis Gonzalez rush for no gain to the CM22 (CJ Williams;Davoan Hawkins). 4-4 CM 22 Gio Richardson sacked for loss of 5 yards to the CM27 (Ernest Felder). 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:49 To start the 3rd quarter: OXBRIDGE ACADEMY drive start at 12:00. 1-10 OXB 20 De'John King rush for loss of 3 yards to the OXB17 (Ju. Richardson;Ahmaud Jordan). 2-13 OXB 17 Gio Richardson pass complete to Jordan Cash for 44 yards to the CM39, 1ST DOWN OXB P11 (Te'cory Couch). 1-10 CM 39 V'lique Carter rush for 1 yard to the CM38 (James Williams;Ahmaud Jordan). 2-9 CM 38 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to V'lique Carter (Ahmaud Jordan), QB hurry by Jake Hoffman. 3-9 CM 38 Gio Richardson pass complete to James Meeks for 14 yards to the CM24, 1ST DOWN OXB (Ju. P12 Richardson;Ahmaud Jordan). 1-10 CM 24 Gio Richardson rush for 4 yards to the CM20 (Davoan Hawkins;CameronWilliams). 2-6 CM 20 James Meeks rush for 1 yard to the CM19 (CJ Williams). 3-5 CM 19 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to Keidron Smith (Te'cory Couch), QB hurry by CJ Williams. 4-5 CM 19 Timeout Chaminade-Madonna, clock 08:36. 4-5 CM 19 PENALTY CM substitution infraction 5 yards to the CM14, 1ST DOWN OXB. X13 1-10 CM 14 Gio Richardson rush for 1 yard to the CM13, out-of-bounds (CameronWilliams). 2-9 CM 13 De'John King rush for 2 yards to the CM11 (Jake Hoffman;CameronWilliams). 3-7 CM 11 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to V'lique Carter, QB hurry by Davoan Hawkins. 4-7 CM 11 Timeout Oxbridge Academy, clock 07:41. 4-7 CM 11 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to De'John King (Keontra Smith). 12 plays, 69 yards, 4:26 Start of the 4th qtr: 2-10 CM 28 Start of 4th quarter, clock 12:00. 2-10 CM 28 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to De'John King. 3-10 CM 28 Gio Richardson pass incomplete to Jordan Cash, QB hurry by Davoan Hawkins. 4-10 CM 28 Gio Richardson pass intercepted by James Williams at the CM2, James Williams return 3 yards to the CM5 (Herman Mccray), QB hurry by Keontra Smith. 16 plays, 52 yards, 4:10 All water under the bridge, coulda, shoulda, woulda but should OA have chose to opt for a make-able FG on these 3 plays and hypothetically have made one could we be looking a different final score?..... I think if these teams play 10 times on that field you have a split outcome. CM was the better team by a wince today. Either way, thank you Oxbridge Academy and Chaminade-Madonna on making one if the best 3A State Championships, with perhaps the two best teams on the field at the same time in recent history. Great game and BOL to both teams next year! Here is the official box score and other numbers from the FHSAA if anybody is interested: http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/sports/football/archives/2017-18/state/3a/3a_final.pdf

Congratulations Pipe Dreams! That win for Dr. Phillips along with that chilly night will be remembered for life by the DP faithful!

Several smaller stature QBs have displayed cannon arms this year...Raines QB, Champagant QB, and of course Atwell all stood out to me. Champagant Catholic QB Desaun Kearse was the "backup" QB at Flanagan last year which some felt was controversial...

Sub 4.4 is basically 4.3....2015 Columbia basically had 3 of #10s Anthony Schwartz who took that end around for AHP today.....That is what authentic 4.3 speed looks like Columbia....Just saying.

Most dangerous offensive player in the state IMO.

Was that 1967 or 1968?

The listed crowd for that game was like 4200. No way I would by that . That placed looked pretty packed. Thoughts on only "4200" at that game?

Cocoa had about 85 total rushing yards tonight with about 50 of them coming on one play for a TD. Cocoa's run was pretty much getting locked down heavy all night by Raines and I don't get Cocoa's last drive when they kept pressing the run. They had one decent play in their last drive which happened to be a completed pass . What do they do on 3rd, and 4th and 6 to end the game? Run. As Cat_Scratch basically said, they may have had a better shot at making a 50 yard yarder. Raines Offense, established the run, was more dynamic offensively, and played better defense. They were the better team tonight.

I will likely get up there floating around hopefully for 3A and then Saturday.....

Jack Daniels is great at getting 'em in.... They were young and in a rebuilding year this year. Dwyer has had some very good teams since 2009. 2009 was just exceptional. I just don't like the fact that they have never played any Broward or Dade teams in the regular season in their existence since I believe 93ish...Either way they are still the perennial large school public power of PB County for now. I think Dwyer returns pretty strong next year.

2009 Dwyer was ridiculous....I would go out on a limb an say the best team ever out of PB County. I believe several (4 - 7?) players went on to sign NFL contracts from that team...

Another great preview and pregame primer, SPCjessica2004! Looking forward to what I hope is one of the competitive 3A clashes we have seen in a while!

I do feel 5K may be a little low for Raines/Cocoa.... Weather could be a factor in attendance, and it is not looking good.... https://weather.com/weather/5day/l/USFL0372:1:US

It is not solely Armwood. All teams in 6A Regions 1,2,3 have limited schedules compared to top Region 4 teams. Including the playoffs, and looking at all of 6A in Regions 1,2, 3, Armwood arguably has had the hardest schedule. That said, factored with the County AD approving the games , what more can they do? Armwood may be somewhat handcuffed or limited in their scheduling ... Either way, Armwood's schedule to me this year is one of the better schedules in years.

Did not forget my picks this past week. The entry closed and locked nearly 8 hours before the first game at noon. Every other week this year if I am not mistaken, and I thought it was even initially stated that the weekly contest would close 1-2 hours before kick-off of all games listed. For example , see State Championship time of closing this week. For whatever reason it locked significantly earlier then usual last week.... It's all good though.

I agree. Looking forward to this one.....I would favor DP here slightly providing they are on par with last year.

AHP escapes Immokalee who backed up their undefeated record well and were probably a underrated this year. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-sp-immokalee-ah-20171201-story.html Very solid year for 5A South.

Curious to see a replay of this game but congratulations and best of luck to Venice on punching their ticket to Orlando.

Saw a great one tonight in this match. Crowd was likely 5,000 + and Atlantic's defense contained Miami for the most part from big plays. Miami scores on the first drive of the game in about 8 plays to go up 7-0 early. Miami had a chance to build on a 13-7 lead with seconds to go in the first half and faked a chip shot FG, which turned into a Atlantic 101 INT return giving the Eagles momentum going into halftime up 14-13. Atlantic added to that lead and took the opening second half KO to the house and went up 20-13 with the missed XP. Early to mid 4th quarter Miami finally had a drive and found the endzone , went for 2 and successfully went up 21-20 . 6 minutes left Miami has another drive going but Atlantic holds and gets the ball on their own 35. Atlantic QB takes a big hit fumbles and 1/3rd of the Atlantic stadium left after Miami got the ball back. Sure enough Atlantic holds again and gets the ball back with 3 minutes to go. Atlantic completes a 45 yard pass, followed by a personal foul after the play and they are well in the red zone. With under a minute left , Atlantic finds pay dirt , completes the two point conversion and takes a 28-21 lead. They kick off to Miami, and are on top of the play like white on rice. Atlantic then pretty much contains Miami for under 20 yards while time runs out. Atlanic wins 28-21. The game turned into a turnover/defensive battle. 3 pick sixes ( 2 ATL, 1 MIA). Overall, Atlantic's defense contained Miami RB Johnny Ford and pretty much eliminated large gains. The game could have gone any way but Atlantic's defense to me just had a little too much team speed for the Miami offense to get going. Take away the the Miami High pick 6 and they only really had 2 successful drives in the game. One other thing I noticed is Miami High appeared to only have about 40-45 players and Atlantic seemed to have a lot more dressed. Miami High needed some work in the kicking/punting game. Atlantic's was a little better.

Had some "Tasso" style Turkey the other day....Good stuff!

Atlantic will be without their RB tonight who is a Kentucky commit due to a shoulder injury.

Broward Sun Sentinel does indeed appear to reference STA as a underdog tonight..... http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/football/broward/fl-sp-sta-foot-adv-20171130-story.html

I find myself a little more at Popeyes the last few years....I think KFC has slipped a bit?