DarterBlue2

Here are mine: Hawthorne Trinity Catholic Ocala Chaminade Cocoa Norland - but I truly would not be shocked if Berkeley Prep upset them. Mainland STA Venice Columbus - but this will be a very good game, and Mandarin could 2 peat against them.

Yes, I think that my picks are identical to those of @Perspective. That game is for the whole 9 yards. Two days ago I actually watched the Columbus vs Plant game. One matter of concern for Columbus: at approximately 4:30 into the 4th quarter, Columbus's QB left the field after being hit inbounds which forced him out of bounds where he collided with a Mandarin player. He was down for about a minute, had a very labored walk back to his sidelines where he was noticeably favoring one leg, and did not play for the rest of the game. If that injury carries over into the title game, it could make a difference where the outcome is concerned.

That sounds so stupid..

It sounds like they have a working document in process. Not sure if the intent is to have it ready for a vote in that meeting.

I see two great matchups in the four games you listed. I think the other two may end up being competitive and one of them could result in a big upset. But they could also end in large margin wins. The two games that I think will be decided by a touchdown or less are: 1. Mandarin vs Columbus 2. Mainland vs St. Augustine I actually think that BP could upset Norland. But I would not be surprised either if Norland wins comfortably. And I think Venice's offense will overwhelm Lakeland this year.

Metro Orlando has a good record of putting teams in the finals. Unfortunately, we don't have that many titles to show for our efforts mostly due to South Florida.

Actually, 4S is likely at least as strong as 4M. And a good argument can be made that it's stronger.

That it would.

The college playoffs should have 8 teams.

Now wouldn't that be funny. Putting Venice in Metro would make it very difficult for Tampa and Orlando area teams to have a shot at a state title in 4M.

I have a funny feeling that Berkeley is going to pull a huge upset. The other two, very little chance.

History is a fascinating subject which is often recounted from very different perspectives in different countries and in different periods of time. But it does not put food on the table and pay a mortgage unless you take it to its natural conclusion with a PHD. Back when I was your age, once you completed your Bachelors, you were generally able to get your graduate studies paid for from a combination of: scholarships, fellowships, and research assistantships when you enrolled in a Doctoral program, provided you kept your grades up when doing the course work, and kept on track when writing your dissertation. Today, that path is more difficult, though still possible as it is more costly and fewer financial aid opportunities exist. But determination and hard work usually end with the completion of goals, be it a state championship or a PHD. So, I admonish you to keep your head up and grind away if you really want to go in the path you outlined. Though I don't have a dog in this race, GO INDIANS!

If you did that, I believe there would be a huge protest!

Short answer is no, unless Cocoa gives the game away.

I have every confidence that as a man of the highest integrity, you would do no such thing.

Despite the sad face, congrats on graduating from college. Hopefully, the transition to work and adult responsibilities is a relatively smooth one. Pity you could not make the game, this will likely be Venice's fourth title if my memory is correct.

I plan to be there.

Darn, you are normally very humble. I hope you are not counting chickens while they are still eggs. I do think Venice will win relatively easily, but I expected you to cast doubt on the outcome.

Here are mine: Hawthorne Trinity Catholic Ocala Chaminade Cocoa Norland - but I truly would not be shocked if Berkeley Prep upset them. Mainland STA Venice Columbus - but this will be a very good game, and Mandarin could 2 peat against them.

I went with First Baptist despite a fairly strong feeling that OTC was going to win. Had I not done that, I would be in the finals despite my poor seeding. But it was fun. Good luck to both @KeemD321 and @Perspective. May the best man win!

It's the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, but that's not a National Holiday, is it?

Dan, unfortunately I won't be able to make the final as it's at 3pm on Thursday and my appointment is at 4pm that day. So, I can't even watch the majority of it via stream. I am not sure why they scheduled this game for that time as I think it would be one of the better attended ones if it were at night and especially if it were Friday or Saturday. But then again, nothing the FHSAA usually does makes a whole lot of sense to me. We could also have certainly used a one week break as the schools set for Thursday have no more than a six day break, and in the case of the earliest, about a 5.5 day break.

I agree with you. Venice wins this year and probably by double digits. They are not as good as 2021, but not far from that level.

Arrogance = General Custer; tempered confidence = Eisenhower.

To be honest, I have never met the man in person. That's why I reserved my judgment if you read my post carefully. But I will say this: He tends to come over as overly arrogant. I guess, I don't have great love for arrogant people. Why? The believe they know it all and because of that core belief, they stifle their own ability to grow.