15 FL HS Teams & Their 10 Minutes of Fame

[OldSchoolLion]

Could not think of a better title..not the greatest.  Here are some teams we don't talk much about nowadays.  Thought it would be nice to give them some recognition.

Bartow-shocked nationally-ranked Bolles in the 1996 4A final 14-13

Cooper City-shocked nationally-ranked St Thomas Aquinas 21-16 at Piccolo Stadium in 2011

JI Leonard-won their only playoff game in history in 1989, upsetting 1988 state finalist Riverview in Sarasota 15-14 

Key West-gave St Thomas Aquinas their worst regular season and playoff losses ever at Piccolo Stadium in 1977 

Miami Sunset-won their first and only playoff game in 40 years versus West Broward in 2015, 36-28.

Miami Norland-prior to 2002, Norland had won 1 playoff game in the prior 30 years.  In 2002, they upset Dillard, Northwestern and Carol City in the playoffs, and then won the 6A state title against Edgewater.

Ocala Forest-won back-to-back 3A state titles in dominating fashion in 1974 and 1975, allowing no more than 10 points in any of their playoff games.  Have only won 7 playoff games since.  

Pensacola Washington-prior to 1994, Washington had only won 3 playoff games.  In 1994, Washington shocked the world, beating a gauntlet of good teams on the road... Columbia, Mainland, Riverview.  They then upset defending state champion Manatee in the semis before winning the 6A title over powerhouse Miami Southridge.  They have won only 3 playoff games since.   

Piper-shocked St Thomas Aquinas 21-0 at Piper in 1996 and won the district title 

Royal Palm Beach-gave Vero Beach a rare home playoff loss, beating them 28-13 in 2008; one of only two teams to win by 14 or more points in a playoff game at the Citrus Bowl 

Seminole(Sanford)-shocked Miami Northwestern in 2008 6A final 28-21

Tate-Prior to 1980, Tate could not get past the first round of the playoffs.  In 1980, coached by legend Carl Madison, they beat a talented Miami Columbus team for the 4A state title.  Rocky Colburn, a running back, went on to play for Bear Bryant at Alabama. Colburn was also an assistant coach for the Tide and for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.  They have had limited success in the playoffs since.

West Nassau-won their first playoff game in 40 years in 2017, beating Marianna 35-7

West Orange-After many years of blowout losses at the hands of Apopka, West Orange finally got the best of them in 2014, and has since won 3 of their past 5 games

Wharton-Wharton shocked Mainland 30-3 in the 2002 5A state semifinals.  They have only won 2 playoff games since.   

 

 

 

[Hwy17]

One that I remember - 1998 Estero beating Lakeland

[Floridatech]

1 hour ago, OldSchoolLion said:

Could not think of a better title..not the greatest.  Here are some teams we don't talk much about nowadays.  Thought it would be nice to give them some recognition.

Bartow-shocked nationally-ranked Bolles in the 1996 4A final 14-13

Cooper City-shocked nationally-ranked St Thomas Aquinas 21-16 at Piccolo Stadium in 2011

JI Leonard-won their only playoff game in history in 1989, upsetting 1988 state finalist Riverview in Sarasota 15-14 

Key West-gave St Thomas Aquinas their worst regular season and playoff losses ever at Piccolo Stadium in 1977 

Miami Sunset-won their first and only playoff game in 40 years versus West Broward in 2015, 36-28.

Miami Norland-prior to 2002, Norland had won 1 playoff game in the prior 30 years.  In 2002, they upset Dillard, Northwestern and Carol City in the playoffs, and then won the 6A state title against Edgewater.

Ocala Forest-won back-to-back 3A state titles in dominating fashion in 1974 and 1975, allowing no more than 10 points in any of their playoff games.  Have only won 7 playoff games since.  

Pensacola Washington-prior to 1994, Washington had only won 3 playoff games.  In 1994, Washington shocked the world, beating a gauntlet of good teams on the road... Columbia, Mainland, Riverview.  They then upset defending state champion Manatee in the semis before winning the 6A title over powerhouse Miami Southridge.  They have won only 3 playoff games since.   

Piper-shocked St Thomas Aquinas 21-0 at Piper in 1996

Royal Palm Beach-gave Vero Beach a rare home playoff loss, beating them 28-13 in 2008; one of only two teams to win by 14 or more points in a playoff game at the Citrus Bowl 

Seminole(Sanford)-shocked Miami Northwestern in 2008 6A final 28-21

Tate-Prior to 1980, Tate could not get past the first round of the playoffs.  In 1980, coached by legend Carl Madison, they beat a talented Miami Columbus team for the 4A state title.  Rocky Colburn, a running back, went on to play for Bear Bryant at Alabama. Colburn was also an assistant coach for the Tide and for the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.  They have had limited success in the playoffs since.

West Nassau-won their first playoff game in 40 years in 2017, beating Marianna 35-7

West Orange-After many years of blowout losses at the hands of Apopka, West Orange finally got the best of them in 2014, and has since won 3 of their past 4 games

Wharton-Wharton shocked Mainland 30-3 in the 2002 5A state semifinals.  They have only won 2 playoff games since.   

 

 

 

Royal Palm beat us twice in the playoffs on the road in 2006 28-14 and the citrus Bowl in 2008 28 to 13 and Riverview is the other team to beat us at home in the playoffs 

[OldSchoolLion]

Just now, Floridatech said:

Royal Palm beat us twice in the playoffs on the road in 2006 28-14 and the citrus Bowl in 2008 28 to 13 and Riverview is the other team to beat us at home in the playoffs 

...sorry for the reminder, but a few more Citrus Bowl playoff losses from further back.  89 Manatee was nasty and 92 Manatee took out Dillard in the 5A final.

Winter Park 1984(13-10)

Manatee 1989(39-14)

Dillard 1992(29-21) and 1996(20-13)

 

[Floridatech]

2 minutes ago, OldSchoolLion said:

...sorry for the reminder, but a few more Citrus Bowl playoff losses from further back.  89 Manatee was nasty and 92 Manatee took out Dillard in the 5A final.

Winter Park 1984(13-10)

Manatee 1989(39-14)

Dillard 1992(29-21) and 1996(20-13)

 

We are horrible in the playoffs especially in this decade 

[DarterBlue2]

3 hours ago, OldSchoolLion said:

West Orange-After many years of blowout losses at the hands of Apopka, West Orange finally got the best of them in 2014, and has since won 3 of their past 4 games

It's actually 3 of 5. Apopka beat them in the second round of the playoffs in blowout fashion in 2014 after losing in the regular season. Apopka again beat them in 2016 at West Orange. But your point is valid. In truth, Bob Head coached teams have always given Rick D some trouble. 

[OldSchoolLion]

2 hours ago, DarterBlue2 said:

It's actually 3 of 5. Apopka beat them in the second round of the playoffs in blowout fashion in 2014 after losing in the regular season. Apopka again beat them in 2016 at West Orange. But your point is valid. In truth, Bob Head coached teams have always given Rick D some trouble. 

You have been spending too much time around ColumbiaFan.  LOL  Actually, I would not have gotten off nearly as easy, I'm sure  Corrected above.  

[DarterBlue2]

2 minutes ago, OldSchoolLion said:

You have been spending too much time around ColumbiaFan.  LOL  Actually, I would not have gotten off nearly as easy, I'm sure  Corrected above.  

I am sure that's correct. 

This year our little 4 team district is going to be ultra competitive as West Orange has a solid team coming back and a decent track record against Apopka.