2007 5A playoff game rd 1 Ely @ STA full game

[954gator]

So...I found another gem!   Aquinas was fortunate to win this one.  Went on to win states that year.  

 

[954gator]

Patrick Peterson (Johnson) could do it all.  

[OldSchoolLion]

In the mid 90's, STA was playing in 5A and running into Lakeland in the playoffs.  STA won a title in 97 and did not make the finals in 98.   STA moved down to 4A in 99 and won a state title. They made the finals in 2000 and 2001, but lost each year.  They did not make the finals in 2002.  While in 4A, they found themselves running into Bradenton SE and some strong Pensacola teams in the playoffs.  

Between 1999-2002, Ely was playing in 5A and made deep playoff runs every year, including a state title and 2 state semi appearances.  In 2003, STA moved back to 5A and Ely's run faded.  STA beat Ely in the playoffs in 05, 06, 07, 09.  STA beat Dillard in the playoffs in 05, 07, 08.   

Does anyone know the reason why STA dropped to 4A in 1999 and then moved back up to 5A in 2003?   The latter move really squashed some momentum of certain Broward County public schools.  Bolles did some hopping around like that in the past for not-so-obvious reasons.

[954gator]

I'd love to see a replay of STA vs Southeast when Mcpherson was playing.  I remember it being close but don't remember the details well.