Dan in Daytona

Bolles also lost their starting QB, with a fractured ankle, in their first or second possession of the game inside Bartow's 10 yard line on a beautiful cold clear blue sky in Daytona Beach. (Homer Plug) Bolles offense was a shell of itself. 

I liked the straight ahead, north, south style of the Lakeland running backs. No dancing, no run to the sideline, just cut it up, and drive forward before being knock down. Great instincts, great teaching. A camera kept an eye on retired Lakeland Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Castle. He loved a good ground game. Wouldn't be surprised if the current staff picked up a few rushing pointers from the old master.

I liked the straight ahead, north, south style of the Lakeland running backs. No dancing, no run to the sideline, just cut it up, and drive forward before being knock down. Great instincts, great teaching. A camera kept an eye on retired Lakeland Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Castle. He loved a good ground game. Wouldn't be surprised if the current staff picked up a few rushing pointers from the old master.

Congratulations to the Cocoa Tigers. As an alumni from Cocoa, I love what this program has accomplished over the years. Congratulations to an excellent Bradford team as well. Bradford has only lost 3 games in the last 2 years, unfortunately for them 2 were to Cocoa. 

I have no affiliation with Berkeley (Live in Tampa though) but actually do with Columbus and most Columbus coaches would not agree with what you said.
Norland played one of the toughest schedules in the state and came out unscathed.
Nobody gave Berkeley a chance yet here we are. It sounds like sour grapes because Columbus lost to Norland this year and you sound a little salty about that.
Go enjoy Columbus State Title and let Berkeley enjoy one of the greatest State upsets of all time, both of these things can coexist.

Just like I expected. 
Let me help you here: Norland went unbeaten through Dade county and was 14-0 heading to the state title game. They were the best team in Dade county. I know, I know. You do not want to accept this. It goes against your preconceived notions. But, it's true. And Norland got beat fair and square by a two-loss Berkeley Prep team. And, this outcome challenges many other preconceived notions as well, like the idea that you have to run a hurry-up, spread offense to beat the big dogs...

21-14 Berkeley about to score again. This is a monumental upset. A 2-loss Hillsborough team about to beat a Dade team who went through a gauntlet. Venice, Central x2, Lakeland, Bolles,  and Columbus. Norland simply can not stop Berkeley’s run game. Did not expect this 

Berkeley now up 21-7 with a minute to play in the 3rd quarter.  Norland may very well run out of time.   They need to figure out how to score quickly and somehow stop Berkeley from grinding out another long, clock-killing drive. 
I know the game's not over yet, but hat's off to Darter for suggesting that Berkeley might pull the upset here. 

Berkeley Prep leads 14-7 at the half over Miami Norland. It is a very uncomfortable truth to many Dade county fans: Norland went unbeaten in Dade county and is the best team there this year. Norland beat Central...TWICE. And, these undefeated kings of Dade county might lose to a two-loss Berkeley Prep team. I hope folks appreciate the significance of this. Of course, in these sad, cynical times, the most likely result will not be respect for BP, but derision for Norland. Rather than crediting the Buccaneers, and perhaps being inspired by them, people will try to rewrite history and diminish Norland's team.

Congrats to the Naughts.  Venice came in loaded with offensive weapons.  QB, wide receivers and terrific running backs to go along with an excellent offensive line...... basically an offensive Juggernaut.  But like last year, the defense had no answer for a determined ground game.  Despite playing without an effective QB ( ALL heart) in the second half that obviously couldn't throw a pass, simply ran it down their throat.  Don't know what else to say other than admiration for the Lakeland squad for a total team win that most thought was not possible. 

The Bucs kicked a field goal as time expired to win their second state championship in a 100+ year history. Early on after running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then blocking a Mainland field goal attempt with then a long scoop and score touchdown, St Augustine appeared ready to blow Mainland off the field 13-0 just like Hollywood Chaminade did to CCC in the day's opening game of the Florida football championships. Only difference was Mainland's defense wasn't having any of that and held the Yellow Jackets too under 50 yards total offense and no more points in the entire first half. Their season scoring average was over 43 points per game.  The Bucs then scored 18 straight points in the second half to finally take the lead 18-13. Mainland's offensive star of the game was QB DJ Murray who passed for more than 200 yards and run for 175 yards. He has lead the way throughout the playoffs and most of the regular season. I sure am proud to be a Buccaneer this morning. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to get that 3rd championship. No way I make it.  
Speaking of 20 years ago..... Almost to the day Mainland won it's first championship 20 years ago in 2003. In the early game (of two) that year Chaminade-Madonna won it's first championship over Madison County. Yesterday Chaminade wins the early game, Mainland the middle game and Madison loses the nightcap.  How's that for a 20year repeat.   

The Bucs kicked a field goal as time expired to win their second state championship in a 100+ year history. Early on after running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then blocking a Mainland field goal attempt with then a long scoop and score touchdown, St Augustine appeared ready to blow Mainland off the field 13-0 just like Hollywood Chaminade did to CCC in the day's opening game of the Florida football championships. Only difference was Mainland's defense wasn't having any of that and held the Yellow Jackets too under 50 yards total offense and no more points in the entire first half. Their season scoring average was over 43 points per game.  The Bucs then scored 18 straight points in the second half to finally take the lead 18-13. Mainland's offensive star of the game was QB DJ Murray who passed for more than 200 yards and run for 175 yards. He has lead the way throughout the playoffs and most of the regular season. I sure am proud to be a Buccaneer this morning. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to get that 3rd championship. No way I make it.  
Speaking of 20 years ago..... Almost to the day Mainland won it's first championship 20 years ago in 2003. In the early game (of two) that year Chaminade-Madonna won it's first championship over Madison County. Yesterday Chaminade wins the early game, Mainland the middle game and Madison loses the nightcap.  How's that for a 20year repeat.   

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

Both teams fought like champions last night and always tough when one has to lose.  You are spot on about the QB for Mainland as we experienced firsthand what he could do and was certainly the main difference in our loss to them in the regular season. Both teams made some mistakes, missed field goals, and any other excuse one can make with difference being Mainland able to finish the job while St. Augustine did not.  Congrats to your Bucs!!

Congrats Dan.  

I watched the entire game. St Augustine made a lot of mistakes that cost them the game. The drop touchdown pass then missed field goal towards the end was killer. You can’t make those kind of mistakes against a team like Mainland. It was a wildly entertaining 2nd half. The fans definitely got their moneys worth. 
 
The computers got it right. It was the most competitive game. I can’t see how other game is gonna top it 

The Bucs kicked a field goal as time expired to win their second state championship in a 100+ year history. Early on after running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then blocking a Mainland field goal attempt with then a long scoop and score touchdown, St Augustine appeared ready to blow Mainland off the field 13-0 just like Hollywood Chaminade did to CCC in the day's opening game of the Florida football championships. Only difference was Mainland's defense wasn't having any of that and held the Yellow Jackets too under 50 yards total offense and no more points in the entire first half. Their season scoring average was over 43 points per game.  The Bucs then scored 18 straight points in the second half to finally take the lead 18-13. Mainland's offensive star of the game was QB DJ Murray who passed for more than 200 yards and run for 175 yards. He has lead the way throughout the playoffs and most of the regular season. I sure am proud to be a Buccaneer this morning. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to get that 3rd championship. No way I make it.  
Speaking of 20 years ago..... Almost to the day Mainland won it's first championship 20 years ago in 2003. In the early game (of two) that year Chaminade-Madonna won it's first championship over Madison County. Yesterday Chaminade wins the early game, Mainland the middle game and Madison loses the nightcap.  How's that for a 20year repeat.   

The Bucs kicked a field goal as time expired to win their second state championship in a 100+ year history. Early on after running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then blocking a Mainland field goal attempt with then a long scoop and score touchdown, St Augustine appeared ready to blow Mainland off the field 13-0 just like Hollywood Chaminade did to CCC in the day's opening game of the Florida football championships. Only difference was Mainland's defense wasn't having any of that and held the Yellow Jackets too under 50 yards total offense and no more points in the entire first half. Their season scoring average was over 43 points per game.  The Bucs then scored 18 straight points in the second half to finally take the lead 18-13. Mainland's offensive star of the game was QB DJ Murray who passed for more than 200 yards and run for 175 yards. He has lead the way throughout the playoffs and most of the regular season. I sure am proud to be a Buccaneer this morning. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to get that 3rd championship. No way I make it.  
Speaking of 20 years ago..... Almost to the day Mainland won it's first championship 20 years ago in 2003. In the early game (of two) that year Chaminade-Madonna won it's first championship over Madison County. Yesterday Chaminade wins the early game, Mainland the middle game and Madison loses the nightcap.  How's that for a 20year repeat.   

The Bucs kicked a field goal as time expired to win their second state championship in a 100+ year history. Early on after running back the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then blocking a Mainland field goal attempt with then a long scoop and score touchdown, St Augustine appeared ready to blow Mainland off the field 13-0 just like Hollywood Chaminade did to CCC in the day's opening game of the Florida football championships. Only difference was Mainland's defense wasn't having any of that and held the Yellow Jackets too under 50 yards total offense and no more points in the entire first half. Their season scoring average was over 43 points per game.  The Bucs then scored 18 straight points in the second half to finally take the lead 18-13. Mainland's offensive star of the game was QB DJ Murray who passed for more than 200 yards and run for 175 yards. He has lead the way throughout the playoffs and most of the regular season. I sure am proud to be a Buccaneer this morning. Hopefully it doesn't take another 20 years to get that 3rd championship. No way I make it.  
Speaking of 20 years ago..... Almost to the day Mainland won it's first championship 20 years ago in 2003. In the early game (of two) that year Chaminade-Madonna won it's first championship over Madison County. Yesterday Chaminade wins the early game, Mainland the middle game and Madison loses the nightcap.  How's that for a 20year repeat.   

Playing for  "State"  championships are nice, but something rings hollow to me when the large urban area's of the state: Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville are all legislated out of the way and they still call it a state championship. Calling it a Junior Championship would be more appropriate. But that's just my opinion, nothing more. 

Just to piggy back on Darter's advice, History is a fabulous subject matter to study and there are so many areas world wide you can focus your interests. But you are talking Florida teacher salary here unless your end goal is a very expensive, difficult, and time consuming  PHD. Salary isn't everything and having a job and career you love and enjoy can be special. Just be careful with the choices you make. Best to you young man. You've got the whole world in front of you. Peace.   

Playing for  "State"  championships are nice, but something rings hollow to me when the large urban area's of the state: Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville are all legislated out of the way and they still call it a state championship. Calling it a Junior Championship would be more appropriate. But that's just my opinion, nothing more. 

Just to piggy back on Darter's advice, History is a fabulous subject matter to study and there are so many areas world wide you can focus your interests. But you are talking Florida teacher salary here unless your end goal is a very expensive, difficult, and time consuming  PHD. Salary isn't everything and having a job and career you love and enjoy can be special. Just be careful with the choices you make. Best to you young man. You've got the whole world in front of you. Peace.   

Just to piggy back on Darter's advice, History is a fabulous subject matter to study and there are so many areas world wide you can focus your interests. But you are talking Florida teacher salary here unless your end goal is a very expensive, difficult, and time consuming  PHD. Salary isn't everything and having a job and career you love and enjoy can be special. Just be careful with the choices you make. Best to you young man. You've got the whole world in front of you. Peace.   

Playing for  "State"  championships are nice, but something rings hollow to me when the large urban area's of the state: Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville are all legislated out of the way and they still call it a state championship. Calling it a Junior Championship would be more appropriate. But that's just my opinion, nothing more.