Class 3A, Playoffs on the Line!

[SPCjessica2004]

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile- but with week 10 upon us and Class 3A really heating up with competition for playoff spots- I figured I'd take a look at the big games that I (and most of Florida) will be keeping their eyes on tomorrow.

Melbourne Central Catholic (7-0) vs Champagnat Catholic (8-0)

First, we'll start off with a non-district game; however, a big game regardless. MCC is quickly turning heads as one of the hottest teams in all of 3A. After dismantling Ocala Trinity Catholic last week the question has to be asked- are the Hustlers under first year MCC Coach Stacy Sizemore for real? I think so- but with their game against Lakeland Christian cancelled due to weather the Hustlers only have a win over 1 team with a winning record (Holy Trinity).   Champagnat has really had a strong season this year; however, they haven't played a team with the firepower MCC brings to the table.

MCC 35, Champagnat 14

Oxbridge Academy (8-1) vs West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (4-3)

The Crusaders of Cardinal Newman are going to the playoffs- but Friday represents their biggest challenge of the year. Oxbridge is a force to be reckoned with. Oxbridge is going to be a big favorite; however, in a district that was given to Oxbridge and American Heritage- the Crusaders have quietly made noise in 3A and have proven they're doing things right.

Oxbridge 49, Cardinal Newman 10

Ft. Pierce John Carroll Catholic(4-4) vs Melbourne Holy Trinity(5-2)

Last year, this game was a battle between two up and coming private schools in 3A- this year, only the winner goes to the playoffs. The game will be played in Ft. Pierce. Neither teams defense has been particularly stout this season; however, Holy Trinity has the best player on the field in Ja’Shaun Corbin. John Carroll has a strong QB/RB/WR combination.  I think these two teams are evenly matched. When teams are evenly matched, I tend to go with the home team..so..

John Carroll 28, Holy Trinity 21

Lakeland Christian (7-1) vs Tampa Catholic (5-2)

Many pundits felt that this game would determine the district champion and runner-up; however, LCS lost to the third team in this district Tampa Berkeley Prep- thus, the Vikings despite being 7-1 and ranked in the top 3 in 3A could be out of the playoffs with a loss.  Tampa Catholic started their season off slow, but after pulling a major upset by shocking CCC 25-21 has turned a corner and gone onto a great season. 

LCS has had 2 weeks to prepare for this game, but it won’t matter. Devan Barrett, Austin Sessums and squad will not be denied..even in Lakeland.

Tampa Catholic 35, LCS 17

Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (7-1) vs Clearwater Central Catholic (7-1)

This is my personal 3A game of the week and it will be a doosy. Sarasota Cardinal Mooney is a big, athletic team that has weapons across the field and on defense can hold high powered offenses in check.  Drew Lascari, the former OC for Don Bosco Prep has really taken a hold of the Cougars and turned this program around. Their only loss this year came 14-7 against a very good Tampa Berkeley Prep team in a heavy downpour.

The Marauders have won 4 consecutive district championships and 4 consecutive regional championships on their way to numerous small school national rankings and state rankings over the past 4 years; however, this Cardinal Mooney team will be the best team they’ve had to play for a district championship since Tampa Catholic in 2012.  I would go so far as to say, outside of American Heritage and IMG Academy- this is the best team CCC has faced in quite awhile.

Word out of Sarasota is that this has been the best week of practice the Cougars have had all year and they’re expecting a sell out crowd as they’ve moved their Senior night up a week. Many felt that after being upset by Tampa Catholic, it would light a fire under CCC; however, the Marauders have gotten worse each week. The past 2 weeks, they’ve found themselves down 2 scores in the blink of an eye before turning on the jets in the second half.

So- who wins? CCC is ripe for another upset, especially if they get off to a slow start. Mooney is clearly ready for this game and has had 8 days to bake up a game plan to slow the Marauders athletes. I'm going to go with Cardinal Mooney in this one, playing at home. I think CCC is better athletically across the board, but Cardinal Mooney will play with more passion and discipline which will prove to be the difference.

 Cardinal Mooney 42, CCC 35

[BrowardHandicapper]

Another interesting game this is tonight is non-district game is 3A Chaminade-Madonna versus 8A Flanagan.  I have heard unconfirmed reports that the IMG/Chaminade-Madonna game is back on.  Do you have any information on that match next week SPCjessica2004?  

 

Tough back to back for CM....

 

I agree that MCC will have their way with 2A Champagnat Catholic as well.  Good prep-game for Champagnat-Catholic to make a 2A playoff run though...

[DisabledAccount]

TCA also plays Episcopal tomaroow with district title on the line

[Proseteye]

Episcopal is 8-0. However, the only really decent team they defeated is a pretty good 5A Yulee. And, they held Yulee to 1 score. Don't imagine that they're in the same ballpark as TCA, though. Playing at Episcopal may help a little. But, TCA is practically right down the street. So, little home field advantage.

[DisabledAccount]

They do got Mark Brunnel's kid at qb who looks good can't count out a slim chance of upset for a team with a lot to prove and live up to that 8-0 record

[BrowardHandicapper]

They do got Mark Brunnel's kid at qb who looks good can't count out a slim chance of upset for a team with a lot to prove and live up to that 8-0 record

Sure... You watched "Rudy" one too many times ....

 

[DisabledAccount]

Sure... You watched "Rudy" one too many times ....

 

TCA has not been at it's best this year and while they are a huge favorite this game not a guaranteed victory

[SPCjessica2004]

Broward,

There was a report in the Bradenton Herald that IMG/Chaminade was back on; however, there's further reports the game is back off. C2C schools, which is used by the FHSAA listed the game as taking place at Chaminade. I have to believe the game is taking place at this time.

JaxTCA will win big over Jax Episcopal.

[BrowardHandicapper]

TCA has not been at it's best this year and while they are a huge favorite this game not a guaranteed victory

Columbia has a better chance to win states than Episcopal winning tonight.  How is that for odds?

[DisabledAccount]

I seem to remember basically everyone picking 6 of 8 champs to repeat this year and so far one already out and their are questions with several of them

 

Im picking TCA but you can't deny that this year has been full of surprises and upsets

 

This year has not followed the normal thought process people had for it pre season, wouldn't you agree?

[DisabledAccount]

Columbia has a better chance to win states than Episcopal winning tonight. How is that for odds?

Game tomorrow buddy

[Floridatech]

TCA has not been at it's best this year and while they are a huge favorite this game not a guaranteed victory

No upsets this year man

[DisabledAccount]

No upsets this year man

There been tons of upsets this year lol

[SPCjessica2004]

In regards to the John Carroll vs Holy Trinity game. John Carroll is getting one of their top 3 players back Umah Miller per TCpalm. His suspension was overturned after being ejected last week. I was already picking John Carroll, but that solidifies the pick.

http://www.tcpalm.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2016/10/27/rams-miller-cleared-play-friday-says-fhsaa/92838402/

[BrowardHandicapper]

I seem to remember basically everyone picking 6 of 8 champs to repeat this year and so far one already out and their are questions with several of them

 

Im picking TCA but you can't deny that this year has been full of surprises and upsets

 

This year has not followed the normal thought process people had for it pre season, wouldn't you agree?

 

But you are picking Oxbridge to win states, right?  

[DisabledAccount]

But you are picking Oxbridge to win states, right?

TCA my pick over Episcopal

 

Oxbridge my pick for 3A

[SPCjessica2004]

Looking at the games played tonight, Tampa Catholic and Lakeland Christian played the best game.

Tampa Catholic was up 38-21 and withstood a furious rally by the Vikings to win 38-31 behind 5 td's from Auburn commit Devan Barrett.
Oxbridge Academy had a strong defensive showing, but Cardinal Newman hung around until the end of the 3rd before bowing out 19-0.
Chaminade lost to Flanagan 20-6..now we have to find out if there game against IMG is still happening.

Tampa Catholic wins their district and will likely host Ocala Trinity Catholic in round 1.  Orlando First Academy will host a very dangerous Tampa Berkeley Prep squad.
Oxbridge will host Miami Westminster Christian while Chaminade will host a dangerous Cardinal Newman team.



 

[BrowardHandicapper]

Looking at the games played tonight, Tampa Catholic and Lakeland Christian played the best game.

 

Tampa Catholic was up 38-21 and withstood a furious rally by the Vikings to win 38-31 behind 5 td's from Auburn commit Devan Barrett.

Oxbridge Academy had a strong defensive showing, but Cardinal Newman hung around until the end of the 3rd before bowing out 19-0.

Chaminade lost to Flanagan 20-6..now we have to find out if there game against IMG is still happening.

 

Tampa Catholic wins their district and will likely host Ocala Trinity Catholic in round 1. Orlando First Academy will host a very dangerous Tampa Berkeley Prep squad.

Oxbridge will host Miami Westminster Christian while Chaminade will host a dangerous Cardinal Newman team.

 

 

 

 

I heard from a generally reliable source that IMG will be playing Chaminade next week. I also heard that IMG contacted the state to address the matter from the same source.

[SportsNut25]

I heard from a generally reliable source that IMG will be playing Chaminade next week. I also heard that IMG contacted the state to address the matter from the same source.

 

Sun-Sentinel is reporting the game will be played, which is notable because they initially were the ones to report the game was called off. 

[SPCjessica2004]

I'd be willing to believe that Chaminade explored options to get out of the game; but, as others pointed out weeks ago on this forum- I think they may of forfeited their playoff berth by electing to not play this game. It's a tough pill to swallow since Coach Jones is not responsible for IMG being on the schedule. At the start of the season, if you drew out the likely scenario- you would of had American Heritage vs Chaminade in rd1. Instead, you play IMG on a Saturday and then turn around and play a good Wing-T team in Cardinal Newman 6 days later in round 1.

Chaminade always had the toughest road to States in 3A, even with Milgrom was the head coach; however, it's gotten even harder now.

[DisabledAccount]

I'd be willing to believe that Chaminade explored options to get out of the game; but, as others pointed out weeks ago on this forum- I think they may of forfeited their playoff berth by electing to not play this game. It's a tough pill to swallow since Coach Jones is not responsible for IMG being on the schedule. At the start of the season, if you drew out the likely scenario- you would of had American Heritage vs Chaminade in rd1. Instead, you play IMG on a Saturday and then turn around and play a good Wing-T team in Cardinal Newman 6 days later in round 1.

 

Chaminade always had the toughest road to States in 3A, even with Milgrom was the head coach; however, it's gotten even harder now.

Why would.they have to forfeit playoff spot?

[SPCjessica2004]

I don't have the exact details, it was a conversation from a few weeks ago mentioning they *may* have to. Some people mentioned the Champganat game against IMG a few years ago when they walked off the field and left which resulted in not being eligible for the playoffs. I'm not sure how that process works out.

Regardless, it sounds like the game is on. Very curious how it turns out.

[DisabledAccount]

I don't have the exact details, it was a conversation from a few weeks ago mentioning they *may* have to. Some people mentioned the Champganat game against IMG a few years ago when they walked off the field and left which resulted in not being eligible for the playoffs. I'm not sure how that process works out.

 

Regardless, it sounds like the game is on. Very curious how it turns out.

I think the fhsaa punished them because they walked out on a game, if they cancell several weeks in advance I think it would work differently

[DisabledAccount]

But I am curious what that rule is

[BrowardHandicapper]

Just keep in mind that there was also a five figure number involved regarding the scheduling of this game...