Perspective

Interesting hypothetical question for you guys:  Let's say the FHSAA went to an "open division" for any school that wanted to compete for the ultimate state title, with a cap (or no cap, not sure which makes more sense) on the number of schools eligible to compete for the open division title.  We can all sit here and think of schools that might choose to opt in - the traditional powerhouses.   And let's say that if you opt in, you have to stay in for a defined length of time (say, four years).  And let's say those schools could play anyone that they wanted to during the regular season, but at the end of the regular season, only the top 16 make the playoffs (based on the power ranking formula in effect at the time).  Each year, some really good football teams wouldn't even make the playoffs and some other even better teams would be sitting at home after the first or second week of the playoffs.   For these teams that don't make the playoffs or don't advance past the first round or two, do they run the risk of sliding into mediocrity (or even worse) because the underclassmen on their team decide to transfer out?  Would this affect their choice to play or not play in the open division?
With that in mind, which of these schools would choose to play in the open division and which ones would prefer to just stay in their Metro or Suburban classification, knowing that there's a pretty good chance they'll at least make it to the finals and probably win their 'minor league' state title:  STA, Cocoa, Osceola, Miami Central, BTW, Northwestern, Madonna Chaminade, Columbus, Jesuit, Armwood, Apopka, Lakeland and Venice.  
This question is not asking you which of those teams you'd like to see in the open division.  Instead, the question requires you look into the minds and souls of each school's administration/athletic department/coaching staff and determine whether they would risk playing in the open division for a shot at the top prize or stay home in the comfort of their own classification for the chance to win a state championship in their "lower division." 

Interesting hypothetical question for you guys:  Let's say the FHSAA went to an "open division" for any school that wanted to compete for the ultimate state title, with a cap (or no cap, not sure which makes more sense) on the number of schools eligible to compete for the open division title.  We can all sit here and think of schools that might choose to opt in - the traditional powerhouses.   And let's say that if you opt in, you have to stay in for a defined length of time (say, four years).  And let's say those schools could play anyone that they wanted to during the regular season, but at the end of the regular season, only the top 16 make the playoffs (based on the power ranking formula in effect at the time).  Each year, some really good football teams wouldn't even make the playoffs and some other even better teams would be sitting at home after the first or second week of the playoffs.   For these teams that don't make the playoffs or don't advance past the first round or two, do they run the risk of sliding into mediocrity (or even worse) because the underclassmen on their team decide to transfer out?  Would this affect their choice to play or not play in the open division?
With that in mind, which of these schools would choose to play in the open division and which ones would prefer to just stay in their Metro or Suburban classification, knowing that there's a pretty good chance they'll at least make it to the finals and probably win their 'minor league' state title:  STA, Cocoa, Osceola, Miami Central, BTW, Northwestern, Madonna Chaminade, Columbus, Jesuit, Armwood, Apopka, Lakeland and Venice.  
This question is not asking you which of those teams you'd like to see in the open division.  Instead, the question requires you look into the minds and souls of each school's administration/athletic department/coaching staff and determine whether they would risk playing in the open division for a shot at the top prize or stay home in the comfort of their own classification for the chance to win a state championship in their "lower division." 

It's the most, boringest time of the year...
The season is over, the bleachers are empty and no fans left to cheeeeer...
Football rules the world, and that much is clear!!!!
 
Merry Christmas everyone!!

I'm sure that Venice and Lakeland being frequent final four fliers was not nearly as exciting as for the Lake Wales and Mainland fans.

I think Keem was channeling his inner ColumbiaFan.  

Jambun, I'll make a deal with you:  as soon as my wife says those words to me, I'll say them to you. 
That said, your response is reminiscent of the scene from A Few Good Men where Col. Jessup says: 
"I have neither the time, nor the inclination to explain myself, to a man who rises and sleeps, under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and than questions the manner in which I provide them! I’d rather you just said ‘thank you’, and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn, what you think you are entitled to!"

For Saturday's games in Ft. Lauderdale, I thought Lakeland and Venice both 'traveled well' and brought good crowds.  Same with Apopka Saturday night.  But credit to Columbus - they darn near filled up the home team side of the stands.   It was a sea of red.   Granted, they have proximity on their side, but I was impressed. 

There are several options, none of which I am married to.  For example, the California Interscholastic Federation uses a committee to select the two teams for its Open Division Championship.  So the FHSAA could do the same thing.  Or you could use a media panel, or coaches panel, or some combination thereof.  You could go the computer ranking approach -- MaxPreps, Florida Power Rankings (if you carried them through the playoffs), etc.  Or some composite ranking like the BCS used to do for college football.  The point is there are a number of options which could be adapted to identify the top two teams at the end of the classification championships.  Not to be snarky, but I would trust Joshua Wilson to pick the top two teams in the state.  (My previous suggestion of a panel of 7 prominent posters from this site may be a bit far-fetched).  I like the human element, so I would probably recommend a committee of 5-7, consisting of coaches, media, and FHSAA representative using their eyeballs and some metric tools.

Who picks the two teams?

Again, people have to remember that while Metro and Suburban are both divided up into four classifications, the school population numbers in the corresponding classes are not equal.  1S and 1M are fairly equal, but from that point on, the Metro classes all have higher student populations to pull from.   So, while it sounds fair to say 2S vs. 2M, 3S vs. 3M and 4S vs. 4M, the Metro classes will all be filled with a number of schools that have a larger population than the largest school in the corresponding Suburban class. 
For those advocating an 8-team tournament of state champions, you're adding 3 more weeks to the calendar.  With traditional seeding, you'd have 4S and 4M teams playing 1S and 1M teams.  I'd expect to see a lot of blow-outs in those games.  the 2S/M vs. 3S/M games would be more competitive with some of the "2" teams prevailing.  But you'd have games continuing on beyond Christmas into the new year.   Smaller schools would suffer, as kids would have to make a choice between continuing football or taking off their cleats and putting on their kicks for basketball season. 
so, pick a number between 1 and 9 . . . how many "state champions" should the State of Florida have for high school football? 

I just copied and pasted this off the Internet.   It seems appropriate for this discussion.  It was about last night's NFL game: 
"Leading 24-12 with 1:39 left, the Packers had first-and-goal at the Rams’ 1-yard line on Monday night, and they decided to kneel down three times to end the game, rather than score another touchdown. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said that’s what he’ll always do in that situation.
“I didn’t think about that. I just think there’s a way you handle winning in this league. I’ve got a lot of respect for those guys we’re competing against,” LaFleur said.
It was pointed out to LaFleur that point differential is one of the playoff tiebreakers, but LaFleur responded that playoff tiebreakers aren’t something he thinks about during a game. He also said he wasn’t bothered by the Rams using their timeouts late in the game even as there was virtually no chance of them winning.
“If I knew that was going to be the difference, certainly, you do what you’ve got to do, but I think there’s karma involved in that, and I don’t want to be about that, and I’ve got too much respect for them,” LaFleur said. “I’m not worried about that.”
The people who were worried about it were those who bet the point total on Monday night’s game: The over/under was 39.5 points, meaning the under hit, but the over would have hit if the Packers had scored another touchdown."
(Emphasis added)

Nulli,  I, too, saw the clip.   While I tend to agree with you, the official on the sidelines 10 feet away was looking right at the play and appeared to have a good angle on both possession and foot in bounds.   So, I'm guessing he saw something that caused him to rule the pass incomplete.  
That said, you answered the question that I had:  what happened next?  Lakeland scored a TD.   So, all that really changed was a little more time ran off the clock and, I'm guessing, a different player ended up in the history books with the TD.  

Got it. The play was on the Apopka side so from our vantage point across the field, we didn't see that important detail. Jumbotron wasn't helpful in discovering it either.
On another note, I got word the next morning that the Apopka players and coaches heard abut our player who passed away on Friday and they more than graciously offered up their collection to the family of the deceased just prior to the game. What a class act by the Blue Darters. Definitely a fan of the program, both on and off the field.
Outstanding sportsmanship - and simply good people.

So, a week or so ago, I called out the Chaminade-Madonna coach for running one last play, resulting in a touchdown, at the end of their game with CCC.  The game was a blowout and the clock was running.   According to Jambun, C-M's TD was in response to CCC calling a timeout with 15 seconds to go (for reasons that are still unclear).   My response to that:  be the bigger man.  C-M should have just taken a knee. 
A week later, in the final seconds of the 4S title game, Lakeland picked a first down inside the Venice two yard line.  Granted it was a one-score game, but Venice was out of timeouts.   Instead of trying to punch the ball in for another TD, Lakeland took a knee.  Yes, there was a minuscule chance that had Lakeland actually tried to run a play designed to score, the play could have resulted in a fumble that could have been picked up by Venice and returned the entire length of the field for a game-tying touchdown.  Regardless, I'll give credit where I think credit it due.  Coach Castle showed class by having his QB simply take a knee so the clock would run out.  
As for the game itself, I thought Venice was the more disciplined team.   Lakeland shot themselves in the foot several times -- especially in the first half -- with what my dad would have called "stupid penalties."  Venice got burned at the end of the first half . . . they were up 14-7 and had Lakeland pinned back in their own territory going nowhere.  Venice called a time out or two, hoping to get the ball back with a chance to score again before the end of the half.  They forced Lakeland to punt, but then did absolutely nothing once they got the ball and took virtually no time off the clock.  Instead, they were forced to punt and Lakeland ended up with better field position that they had before the exchange of punts.  The 'Naughts got the ball down inside the 5 with the clock running down.  I can't remember exactly what happened next (a time out or the QB spiked the ball to stop the clock).  In any event, it appeared that when the Lakeland players returned to the line of scrimmage, the Lakeland WR just stayed out wide and the Venice defense didn't see him.   The ball was hiked and the WR trotted into the end zone with no one around him.  I'm guessing it was the easiest TD pass the Lakeland QB has thrown all season.  Instead of going into the locker room with a 14-7 or even a 14 - 10 lead, Lakeland knotted the score at 14 on the final play of the half. 
Neither team was overly-imaginative with their play-calling, especially in the second half.  The Lakeland ground game did enough to keep the chains moving and to ultimately score the go-ahead/winning TD.  Overall, a solid title game.  Both QB's took some shots and played gutsy games.  Biggest difference in my opinion was Lakeland's ability to convert a couple of critical 4th down plays whereas Venice came up inches short towards the end of the game on 4th down. 
Any reason why we won't see a rematch next year? 

CM has a good team; no doubt.   But I'd much rather see a larger, deeper squad represent Florida against a national powerhouse like Bishop Gorman.   Not including IMG, give me any of the teams that played Saturday (Venice, Lakeland, Apopka or Columbus), although BG probably beats all four of these teams.  It would take a team like Miami Central, or a team that has both size and speed, like STA, to go toe-to-toe with BG.   Regardless of who plays them, requiring the Florida team to travel to Las Vegas a week after winning a state championship to play a team that has had a month to rest and prepare makes for a tough assignment. 

Miami (Ohio) and UAB respectfully disagree.   At least this year.  

It's called "class" for a reason Plant fan.
These modern day jacklegs want the country to think they are coaching gurus, so CM was trying to impress some clueless poll voter that they are the best team in Fla and deserved a National Championship.
Scoring another meaningless TD on a far less talented 1M team was just what their type wanted to see. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately they failed to realize that Bishop Gorman is a recruited up power as well. And BG told a state of Florida recruited up power to "hold my beer".
But that's just my perspective.

So, a week or so ago, I called out the Chaminade-Madonna coach for running one last play, resulting in a touchdown, at the end of their game with CCC.  The game was a blowout and the clock was running.   According to Jambun, C-M's TD was in response to CCC calling a timeout with 15 seconds to go (for reasons that are still unclear).   My response to that:  be the bigger man.  C-M should have just taken a knee. 
A week later, in the final seconds of the 4S title game, Lakeland picked a first down inside the Venice two yard line.  Granted it was a one-score game, but Venice was out of timeouts.   Instead of trying to punch the ball in for another TD, Lakeland took a knee.  Yes, there was a minuscule chance that had Lakeland actually tried to run a play designed to score, the play could have resulted in a fumble that could have been picked up by Venice and returned the entire length of the field for a game-tying touchdown.  Regardless, I'll give credit where I think credit it due.  Coach Castle showed class by having his QB simply take a knee so the clock would run out.  
As for the game itself, I thought Venice was the more disciplined team.   Lakeland shot themselves in the foot several times -- especially in the first half -- with what my dad would have called "stupid penalties."  Venice got burned at the end of the first half . . . they were up 14-7 and had Lakeland pinned back in their own territory going nowhere.  Venice called a time out or two, hoping to get the ball back with a chance to score again before the end of the half.  They forced Lakeland to punt, but then did absolutely nothing once they got the ball and took virtually no time off the clock.  Instead, they were forced to punt and Lakeland ended up with better field position that they had before the exchange of punts.  The 'Naughts got the ball down inside the 5 with the clock running down.  I can't remember exactly what happened next (a time out or the QB spiked the ball to stop the clock).  In any event, it appeared that when the Lakeland players returned to the line of scrimmage, the Lakeland WR just stayed out wide and the Venice defense didn't see him.   The ball was hiked and the WR trotted into the end zone with no one around him.  I'm guessing it was the easiest TD pass the Lakeland QB has thrown all season.  Instead of going into the locker room with a 14-7 or even a 14 - 10 lead, Lakeland knotted the score at 14 on the final play of the half. 
Neither team was overly-imaginative with their play-calling, especially in the second half.  The Lakeland ground game did enough to keep the chains moving and to ultimately score the go-ahead/winning TD.  Overall, a solid title game.  Both QB's took some shots and played gutsy games.  Biggest difference in my opinion was Lakeland's ability to convert a couple of critical 4th down plays whereas Venice came up inches short towards the end of the game on 4th down. 
Any reason why we won't see a rematch next year? 

Miami (Ohio) and UAB respectfully disagree.   At least this year.  

Hats off to Apopka. What a grueling game.
Apopka fought hard as they have done all season and in the 4th tied it up. Several 3rd and long and a couple 4th down conversions. This game could have gone either way at several points. At one point it looked as if the explorers would lock it up only to throw a pick that revived the Darter's chances down inside the Explorer red zone.
A couple questionable penalties and a blocked FG attempt and we end regulated at 10 a piece,
First series in OT saw Apopka settle for a field goal. On the Explorer possession , Mendoza rolls left to pitch it to WR (and backup QB) AJ Arellano on a reverse and hits Mendoza on the run for the score. Final 13-16
Just when I thought the last CCHS v Apopka matchup was an incredible last minute finish, then we have this. These two programs have now built an exciting rivalry of mutual respect.
Great game with 6,700 in official attendance, despite the weather.
I want to congratulate the Darters on another incredible battle. Hope to see chapter 4 of this slugfest play out next year.

if only all the games were played in 1 central location so people could spend a weekend watching all the excitement.  
having to drive to tally from naples or from penscola to ft lauderdale, is a complete travesty to the fans.....while daytona and that small stadium and no parking was a joke, why wouldnt the fhsaa try like heck to get ucf stadium....its in central part of state, 3 hrs or so from each end.  the citrus bowl was too big and Im sure they asked for a gazillion dollars to host and parking downton orlando isnt very much fun, 10k people in that staidum made it look empty, but 10k at the bounce house and its  jumping pretty dang good.
oh well.  

Lake Wales comes away with the win.  32-30.  

Sad/disappointing/pitiful that two Texas UIL championship games are live on Fox Sports Sun today, but no Florida games.  

yep. but really, his better play would be drawing kids away from Blake, Middleton, and Jefferson. All those programs have been in the dumps and Robinson has enough space to take in those players.

Again, a bit of sarcasm as well as driving home a point?  Don't know how the weather will affect either team, but in looking at their only common opponent (Clearwater Academy) Venice loss 26-20 whereas Lakeland seemed to steamroll them 44-6 as they have everyone else.   Venice has been prone to give up more points against good opponents like Buchholz (35), Northwestern (32) while I leave out a national power like SFA.  So when talking about defenses it appears to me that Lakeland does have a clear edge and have to agree with Nulli that only bunches of penalties, turnovers, etc.. will keep the game close.  Not big on predictions but if Naughts are dialed in it the margin will be double digits.  Good luck to both squads and do hope it is a great game.