TCMan

Congrats to Coach V and the Conquerors. A "four-peat" is a rarity in the State of Florida and it's a credit to Coaches, players and everyone associated with the program. I thought it was a sloppy game but the TCJax defense was the difference. After surrendering an 80 TD on play #1, they defense really shut down Chaminade. Congrats to Chaminade for a great year coming out of the South. As far as playing Chaminade next year in the finals? Not sure about that one. The Florida Times Union is reporting that TCJax has petitioned to move up to 5A next year, and are awaiting word from the FHSAA. Not sure of this accuracy of their reporting, but Gene Frenette at the TU is the one who wrote the story. That will be interesting if true as TCJax pursues an unequaled 5th straight title.

It's not a rematch. TCJax beat American Heritage Delray by a score of 30-3 for the championship last year. TCJax lost a bunch of players last year, but has managed to get back to Orlando for a shot at a fourth straight championship. It looks like it will be a tough one against this Chaminade team that is loaded with athletes.

These two teams meet for the 3A State Championship in a little over a week. TCJax is going for 4 titles in a row while Chaminade is coming out of a tough south bracket. Would love to hear some thoughts / predictions on this one !

I think the athletic comparison between the two teams will be something to watch Friday night as well. However, TCJax has a great coaching staff in their own right. In fact, I think it's one of the top staffs in the state. Coach V has a record at TCJax of around 253-64, 6 State titles, 16 District titles and 13 Regional Championships. The Conquerors have 2 former NFL players as offensive and defensive coordinators ( one played at Florida and the other at FSU - should be a fun weekend for them). It's a good staff without question. Should be a good one Friday night as I'm sure BP will be ready to try and make history for their school and coach !

It will be interesting to see this one play out on Friday night. TCJax is historically pretty stout against a run first team, which is what Berkeley appears to be from info on this board. However, it looks as if they pass well when the situation calls for the passing game. Jess.... I read up on their coach and he appears to be a coach that is able to motivate, game plan and get his players to believe in the plan. From a scouting report interview posted this week, Berkeley players were interviewed and, after watching film of TCJax, feel good about holding up against the TCJax passing attack, and feel they will be able to get to the TCJax QB for sacks. My take on this game is this: I just wonder how BP will hold up to the speed of the TCJax on both offense and defense. This may not be the biggest TCJax team of the past few years, but they are really quick on both sides of the ball. Should be a good one between two good teams !

Any thoughts on this game..? Berkeley had an impressive win against Tampa Catholic and will be visiting the Conquerors this Friday night in the final four of 3A. Looks like a lot of their offense runs through their senior RB but I don't really know much about them. TCJax seems to be playing well and was able to rest a number of starters on Friday against Florida High. Looking forward to this one !

Tiger fan , I don't know the details on that question. Just know what the local media is reporting and conversation going on around the program . It's unfortunate either way for all involved -

Broward and Darter: What occurred in this situation at TCJax is not what you are describing in any way,shape or fashion. It's actually unfortunate that these assumption were made. I spoke directly with administration yesterday (and local media outlets are now reporting the same thing) about the issue and here are the facts. A home school defensive lineman's parents had apparently listed a wrong date on paperwork submitted for the player when he began the home school process. When TCJax was submitting the roster for the upcoming playoffs, the eligibility for this player was rejected by the FHSAA computer based on this clerical error by the parents. TCJax immediately contacted the State to confirm that the error was, in fact, and error and that the rejection of eligibility was accurate. When it was confirmed by the FHSAA that the date listed originally by parents is what caused the player to be ineligible, TCJax immediately began the self reporting process that resulted in the forfeiture of all games to that point. TCJax did the right thing in this situation by self reporting the violation on the day they discovered it. I know the head coach of TCJax well, and know that TCJax strives to run a program that conforms to the FHSAA guidelines. In fact, the principal of TCJax has served on the FHSAA appeals board for years. This is not what you have described in any way and I wanted you guys to know the facts of what was behind the forfeiture of games. TCJax now will need to win Monday night just to get into the playoffs..... crazy year.

Proset: I didn't think that at all from your post...You always shoot straight in your post and I appreciate that quality. IMG is mega talented.. no doubt about that fact. Their size up front is simply amazing in person. The smallest O-lineman is 6'4" 280.. the biggest is 6'8" 380 - all D1 commits. As far as why they don't simply slaughter everyone they play is a good question. Perhaps just assembling an entire roster of top flight talent results in a less than cohesive effort on the field. The point of my post was simply to point out that TCJax played with effort, passion and inspiration. They performed as well as any of IMG's top 20 nationally ranked opponents. I understand that Oxbridge, who was beaten by IMG by 38 points 7 days prior to the TCJax game, still seems to be everyone's pick in 3A this year. However, from what I am seeing TCJax is coming together and the right time and i just wonder....... As far as your Celtics, they are a mystery to me. Great facilities, huge fan support, community buy in, etc..... A number of years back, they were as impressive as any high school team I had seen in person. I'm sure they will be back.

Proset: Hope you have been doing well - I'm still pulling for your Celtics by the way. I have watched every game for TCJax this year and would agree that they played their best game of the year ( they also played well against Ft. Pierce Central). Being at the game, you were able to feel the tension and occasional frustration from the IMG coaching staff and players. Make no mistake, they had their hands full with TCJax and were impressed with the talent and effort from the Conquerors. Would we lose ten times to IMG if we played them ten times? Perhaps....... But I am glad we have a coach that will play anyone, anywhere at any time. IMG is truly a different kind of team. They are not a high school football team in any sense of the meaning. They are a collection of all-star talent from around the country (and internationally). I was able to speak with one of their assistant coaches on the way out of the game for a bit ( great guy and former D1 college player by the way). He noticed my shirt and spoke first by saying how impressed he was with the athletes and athleticism of TCJax, especially for a 3A school. He said this ended up being one of the top tests IMG has faced on the season - he mentioned Centennial as well. I asked him if they were missing anyone and he told me that 4 players were out and unable play. He quickly added that with the size of their roster and depth of talent, that there's really not a drop off for them in those positions. In the end, TCJax lost to this "super team" with an offensive line bigger than the Jaguars by a 13 point margin. The #11 team in the country (Grayson of Georgia) and the #15 nation team in the country (St. John's of Marland) both lost by wider margins than TCJax. This is not the TCJax team that lost to Cocoa in week one or Lincoln a few weeks after. This is TCJax team that is quickly hitting their stride and becoming formidable. I'm really proud of TCJax and their effort. Hopefully this 5-3 TCJax team that is ranked by many as the 3rd best team in Florida 3A can make it back to Orlando ! Should be fun to see how it plays out.

Jessica - great insights as always... I totally understand the drop of TCJax to #2 in your poll after the loss to Cocoa. TCJax is still a work in progress as some very key components from last years squad were lost to graduation and transfer. This includes a QB who was the 3A player of the year and 3 offensive linemen that could control the line of scrimmage in most games. However, after seeing TCJax in an officials scrimmage, a preseason classic and a tough loss against what some have called "the best team in Cocoa's history", I really feel that TCJax will be a totally different team by the end of the season and will give any team in 3A all they can handle. Thanks - looking forward to an exciting year in 3A !