2024 5A State Semifinals, a 2005 redux?

[Nulli Secundus]

I'm not a journalist and won't pretend to be.  However, it occurred to me just this morning that Friday's 5A semifinal matchups are a snapshot of what took place 19 years ago.

Four teams were on a collision course back in 2005, and those same teams are set to square off in 36 hours; St. Thomas Aquinas at Manatee, Niceville at Lakeland.  If you believe in the effects of planet alignment, then these games are not to be missed.

Lakeland, Manatee, Niceville and St. Thomas Aquinas combine for 30 state titles.  Considering that approximately 128 schools have AT LEAST one title to their name, that's highly impressive!  When it's all said and done, one of these teams will add one more title to their school's war mantle.

On the Line

• STA - Unprecedented 6th title in a row.  No other school has accomplished this feat and if the Raiders go the distance, they will truly stand on an island all to themselves for the already storied program.
• Manatee - Return to glory and a chance to halt the Raider's potentially record setting season.
• Niceville - The Eagles have a chance to dethrone two-time champion on the road but will have to do so in a hostile environment.  Lakeland fans never forgot and you will be welcomed with the same atmosphere we were treated to in 2005.
• Lakeland - A chance to extend the Naughts' winning streak and chance at another 3-peat against the Raiders or long overdue redemption against the Hurricanes.

This is probably the first time this season where I've been truly excited.  Good luck to all the programs tomorrow and travel safely!

[Nulli Secundus]

Also, if you're voting only pick one.  I don't know what the heck I was thinking, lol.

[Rattlin Steele]

2 hours ago, Nulli Secundus said:

Lakeland fans never forgot and you will be welcomed with the same atmosphere we were treated to in 2005.

Love it!

Re: winners, I absolutely hate to admit but I don't think NV has the horses to stay with LL.  Ya'll have a number of D1 recruits and we don't, and it usually comes to bear this time of year.  From what little highlights I seen, #0 and #9 are beasts on D and I don't know if we can deal with that.  Same when you put #0 in the O backfield.  I honestly don't have the confidence I need in our O coaching staff.  Some of the play calls in our 1 loss were real headscratchers.  I'm hoping they've just been keeping some stuff under their hat.  They've been known to do that before.

I can't pick against STA, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manatee pulls it out.  Don't have much real knowledge of either of them.  Seems STA might not be on the same level as usual this year. 

 

 

[Nulli Secundus]

48 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Love it!

Re: winners, I absolutely hate to admit but I don't think NV has the horses to stay with LL.  Ya'll have a number of D1 recruits and we don't, and it usually comes to bear this time of year.  From what little highlights I seen, #0 and #9 are beasts on D and I don't know if we can deal with that.  Same when you put #0 in the O backfield.  I honestly don't have the confidence I need in our O coaching staff.  Some of the play calls in our 1 loss were real headscratchers.  I'm hoping they've just been keeping some stuff under their hat.  They've been known to do that before.

I can't pick against STA, but I wouldn't be surprised if Manatee pulls it out.  Don't have much real knowledge of either of them.  Seems STA might not be on the same level as usual this year. 

 

 

Having the horses means nothing if the game plan isn't executed to perfection.  Anything is possible.  We will see who rises to the top tomorrow.  Good luck!

[MarkECannon]

Here come those Niceville Eagles.  Their home stadium is supposed to be a very tough venue to play in.  Those Eagles youngsters get to experience what it is like to play in the legendary Thomas W. Bryant Stadium home of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts (Nulli taught me the full name of the stadium this week).  Hope they are ready to hear that dadgum horn all night.  The Niceville team busses had over 1000 students and hundreds of adults send them off.   The Niceville Fire Department sprayed their water cannons over the buses as the team rolled out.  I wonder how many fans they will bring as well as their band?   I was at the Lakeland game Friday night and more than one group of fans were saying if they get past TBT the semifinal will just be a formality before heading to Miami.

 

[Nulli Secundus]

54 minutes ago, MarkECannon said:

Here come those Niceville Eagles.  Their home stadium is supposed to be a very tough venue to play in.  Those Eagles youngsters get to experience what it is like to play in the legendary Thomas W. Bryant Stadium home of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts (Nulli taught me the full name of the stadium this week).  Hope they are ready to hear that dadgum horn all night.  The Niceville team busses had over 1000 students and hundreds of adults send them off.   The Niceville Fire Department sprayed their water cannons over the buses as the team rolled out.  I wonder how many fans they will bring as well as their band?   I was at the Lakeland game Friday night and more than one group of fans were saying if they get past TBT the semifinal will just be a formality before heading to Miami.

 

I fully expect a packed house tomorrow night.  Regarding the fans, they're just that, fans.  I hope Coach Frazier has the boys focused on the game in front of them and not looking ahead, or they be looking from afar come next week.

Picture curtesy of Midbaynews.com.  Additional photos can be found here

[Rattlin Steele]

2 hours ago, Nulli Secundus said:

Having the horses means nothing if the game plan isn't executed to perfection.  Anything is possible.  We will see who rises to the top tomorrow.  Good luck!

Same to you!  Will you be there in person?  Hope it is a well fought tightly contested game with the best team winning!

[Nulli Secundus]

31 minutes ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Same to you!  Will you be there in person?  Hope it is a well fought tightly contested game with the best team winning!

Unfortunately no.  I'll be watching from Atlanta.

[Rattlin Steele]

1 hour ago, MarkECannon said:

Here come those Niceville Eagles.  Their home stadium is supposed to be a very tough venue to play in.  Those Eagles youngsters get to experience what it is like to play in the legendary Thomas W. Bryant Stadium home of the Lakeland Dreadnaughts (Nulli taught me the full name of the stadium this week).  Hope they are ready to hear that dadgum horn all night.  The Niceville team busses had over 1000 students and hundreds of adults send them off.   The Niceville Fire Department sprayed their water cannons over the buses as the team rolled out.  I wonder how many fans they will bring as well as their band?   I was at the Lakeland game Friday night and more than one group of fans were saying if they get past TBT the semifinal will just be a formality before heading to Miami.

 

Our bowled U-shaped stadium isn't that large but we generally pack the house including most of the visitor side if able.  Seems not too many schools travel well these days.  Our home seating from 20 to 20 is all season ticket holders and 20 to the closed end goal line is the raucous student section.  The closed end also has additional seating for our 300+ band members and their sound projects well throughout the stadium.  I have season tickets and frankly too many of them are too reserved to yell & scream as much as we need.  I've had mine a long time so I don't care if I act the fool!

I just asked and apparently we are not taking the band, not even a pep band.  Disappointed by this.  Can understand the expenses associated with taking 300+ members, but not even a pep band of 50 or so Seniors?

 

Finally, if LL fans at the game were already thinking this semifinal would be a cakewalk, they must've just been assuming because it was supposed to be STA at LL based on the published rules, unless they think STA is a cakewalk too.

[Nulli Secundus]

2 hours ago, Rattlin Steele said:

Our bowled U-shaped stadium isn't that large but we generally pack the house including most of the visitor side if able.  Seems not too many schools travel well these days.  Our home seating from 20 to 20 is all season ticket holders and 20 to the closed end goal line is the raucous student section.  The closed end also has additional seating for our 300+ band members and their sound projects well throughout the stadium.  I have season tickets and frankly too many of them are too reserved to yell & scream as much as we need.  I've had mine a long time so I don't care if I act the fool!

I just asked and apparently we are not taking the band, not even a pep band.  Disappointed by this.  Can understand the expenses associated with taking 300+ members, but not even a pep band of 50 or so Seniors?

 

Finally, if LL fans at the game were already thinking this semifinal would be a cakewalk, they must've just been assuming because it was supposed to be STA at LL based on the published rules, unless they think STA is a cakewalk too.

Your U-shaped stadium is large enough from what I remember and was standing room only back in '05.  I hate that the band is not traveling as this may be a one in a lifetime experience for most.  I understand budgetary constraints but with all due respect, that really is a shame.  I don't care what school district you come from.  All I'll say is FHSAA...  

The only Lakeland fan I speak for is myself, although I'll NEVER speak ill of my fellow Naughts.  I can only say that Dreadnaught faithful look at this game as a formality.  Like I stated earlier, I expect Coach Frazier to have the guys focused on the task at hand.  This isn't a slight against Niceville.  This is more about those pesky Raiders which we have grown to love to hate over the last few decades.  I'm sure @Jullian can attest to the rivalry but all in good sportsmanship as long as Lakeland wins, lol.  He holds '08 over my head every chance he can get and I can't even be mad at it.  I would do the same thing.  This is what makes the game fun and as an alum, I wish I had this same experience when I was at Lakeland.  Quietly, I have more hate (friendly) towards Manatee than I ever could towards STA.

[Ray Icaza]

We have a bit of history playing both these programs during the playoffs about a decade ago.  In both 2013 and 2014 we had to get thru Lakeland to reach the semi-finals both those years vs Niceville.  In Niceville we dropped a heartbreaker 31-30 after tying the game at 31 but due to a Niceville offsides penalty we had to re-kick and missed the extra point for the loss sending them to the finals (still believe we need a rule change where that penalty can be declined).  We did get payback when Niceville had to come to our place the following year with us advancing to the finals.   Good luck to two prideful, tradition rich programs in the semi's. 

[Longtime Observer]

I think it'll be a tough game for sure. Lakeland will have to open up the offense, because I think Niceville's style and strengths on offense will be a problem for their defense. It'll probably go down to the wire. I have an uneasy feeling about this game.

Manatee will have to play their best defensive game of the season to beat STA. That game will probably be a shootout, and also go down to the wire.

 

[Roadkillav8r]

Niceville getting some Lakeland homecooking.  Refs giving Lakeland every advantage possible

 

[Jambun82]

5 hours ago, Roadkillav8r said:

Niceville getting some Lakeland homecooking.  Refs giving Lakeland every advantage possible

 

The officials were from the other side of the state know-it-all.