Class 3A, Playoffs Round 1

[SPCjessica2004]

So, I wrote up my Class 3A preview last week and thought it posted but it did not. Such is life!  Anyway..

With the regular season over, I wanted to provide my final Class 3A rankings and throw some topics out there..

Final 2017 Class 3A Regular Season Rankings

1) Chaminade-Madonna Prep:  Lions retain #1 spot after a solid win over previously undefeated University School.
2) Oxbridge Academy: Knocked off Palm Beach Lakes in a closer than expected contest, but still finishes the season a very strong 8-1.
3) Clearwater Central Catholic: Had a bye week for week 11, but finished season at 9-0.
4) Melbourne Central Catholic: Hustlers maybe 7-3, but demolished Palm Beach Central last week and are finally healthy.
5) Orlando First Academy: Undefeated regular season deserves respect.

Receiving consideration: Taylor County (Perry), Lakeland Christian, King's Academy, Tampa Catholic, Calvary Christian (Clearwater), Heritage Delray.

There are some amazing first round games this year that feature some of the states best going at it early. Here are the games I'm looking forward to:

Tampa Catholic at Clearwater Central Catholic

This is the grand daddy of first round playoff games in 3A. This is already one of the most heated historic private school rivalries in the state and now it's a first round playoff game. CCC is 9-0 and TC is 7-3. CCC finished with the top average points in Class 3A and thus will host every playoff game as long as they win. The teams met earlier this year in Clearwater with CCC winning 25-0. In the game, CCC racked up just under 450 yards total offense while limiting TC to under 150. While TC did lose to Jesuit for the 18th consecutive year- The Crusaders have looked very good on offense since week 4 (2nd half of the MCC game).

Maxpreps has CCC ranked #27 in Florida and Tampa Catholic #138, so on paper CCC is the favorite, but no so fast (Lee Corso voice!). CCC, to me, needs to be on upset alert. TC is one of the most individually talented teams not named Chaminade-Madonna. Like CM, they have multiple power 5 offered guys and a plethora of former NFL players coaching. Tampa Catholic always loses to Jesuit and tends to rebound the following week. Unlike week 3, I think CCC gets the best of what the Crusaders of TC have to offer. This one will go the distance and the Marauders will have to rally late..but..expect an all time classic!

Jessica's Pick: CCC 31, TC 28 (Overtime)

Melbourne Central Catholic at Orlando First Academy

After all the screaming, shouting and complaining- the Hustlers make the playoffs as the 4 seed in region 2. The Hustlers won't see a home playoff game, but the senior laden Central Catholic program has the pieces to be in Orlando regardless. Orlando First Academy is undefeated, but outside of a solid 22-20 win over Calvary Christian (Clearwater) the Royals haven't played anyone of particular note. Still, the Wing-T offense of First Academy can be tough to stop if you don't prepare for it.

MCC maybe on the road, but they've also been on the road. Including the kickoff classic, the Hustlers have played at Cardinal Gibbons, BuFord GA, Fort Hill MD and a trip down to Archbishop McCarthy and up to Deltona. MCC appears to be as healthy as they have been and after a 50-6 thrashing of Palm Beach Central appear to be peaking at the perfect point in the season.

Despite being undefeated MaxPreps has First Academy 141 and 7-3 MCC at 78. Is it an upset is a 4 seed defeats a 1 seed? In this case- no.

MCC 42, TFA 14

Lakeland Christian vs Calvary Christian (Clearwater)

This is an interesting game for a few reasons. #1, many people feel that Berkeley Prep or Ocala Trinity are more deserving than Calvary Christian. Calvary has played some strong teams including #1 seeds First Academy and CCC. They've also played playoff teams Indian Rocks and AFA. Lakeland Christian has a powerful offense if QB Tate Whatley is healthy, but after suffering a serious injury against Avon Park it's a toss-up if he'll play. 

Lakeland Christian is the 2 seed and ranked #96 on Maxpreps while Calvary is #147. LCS has a couple of key wins including Avon Park and Berkeley Prep so I can dig LCS being a favorite ONLY if Tate Whatley plays. If the QB doesn't play it's hard to see them staying on the field with Amari Bruney, Deandre Ferguson and the rest of the Warrior football team.

Not knowing if the QB will play really hampers my prediction here, but I'll go with..

Calvary Christian 35, Lakeland Christian 21

Chaminade Madonna vs American Heritage

Chaminade Madonna is ranked #12 in Florida according to MaxPreps, AHD is #181 and that's probably the closest this game will be. That said, it won't show on Friday night, but I do think the Stallions are heading in the right direction. This is just Chaminade's year, but if the Stallions can muster a strong effort and pick up a few transfers- they bring almost their entire team back in tact for 2018. I could see these teams meeting in years to come to much more competitive games, but the 2017 version? Snooze fest.

Chaminade-Madonna by 38 over American Heritage (Delray).

Oxbridge vs Kings Academy
Contrary to popular belief, I don't think Oxbridge will go "into that good night" after this season- but I also believe this is their best chance to win a state championship for a while, the north is going to loaded in 2018. That makes the 2017 playoffs even more important. The Thunderwolves can't get caught looking ahead to MCC or Chaminade and I don't think they will. Kings has had a strong season, but staying on the field with Oxbridge is more than they're capable of.

Oxbridge is ranked #32 in Florida according to MaxPreps, King's is 93.

Oxbridge by 35 over King's Academy.


Other Predictions I'm leaving to people more familiar with the teams:
Taylor County by 21 over Newberry.
Ft. White by 7 over FSU School
Benjamin by 13 over Everglades Prep





















 

[nolebull813]

I believe Fort Hill in Maryland ran the Wing T and rushed for over 400 yards against Mel CC. 

But the Hustlers got some firepower on their offense and if they can get some quick scores those Wing-T/Option teams are not designed to play catch up. 

This game I think will show you if a tough scheudle like MCC pays off or if 1st Acad can prove if your good, your good no matter the scheudle!! 

I'm excited about this one the most in 3A! 

[SPCjessica2004]

Nolebull813,

You would be correct, Fort Hill did run the Wing T and so does Orlando First Academy. I think First Academy has the athletes to play a more competitive schedule and be successful, but it's hard to to see how good the Royals are when they play teams like 4 Corners, Foundation, Agape, West Oaks.  Credit where credit is due, they did beat Calvary Christian (Clearwater) and Lake Highland. Neither are super powerhouses, but they're not terrible either- I consider both solid high school football teams.

MCC is finally healthy after playing a few games without their starting QB, Joaquin Collazo. He's the glue of the offense. I just think that MCC is a better football team than First Academy.  It's worth pointing out that these two teams (MCC and TFA) have a significant history with each other as they were district rivals for years.

This will be a good game, but I just see the firepower for MCC overwhelming TFA in the third and 4th quarters are a competitive first half.