Miami Gardens – Eighty standout high school athletes representing Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties school districts will compete in TRU Sports Foundation’s 12th annual Private vs. Public All Star High School Football Showcase. The game will be played at Betty T Ferguson Sports Complex stadium on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Kick-Off is at 4:00p.m. Players will be joined on the sideline by current College Football players and former NFL players.An All Star Showcase like no other. The Private vs Public All Star Showcase is a level playing field for each player that decides to try out for a roster spot. The student athletes first have to make the cut by having the necessary grade requirements. Then each student athlete has to make the roster by competing for a position, and showing great character by being on time to meetings, practice and showing great sportsmanship. “Not only are we looking to develop great football players, but we are looking to help develop and guide young men into thinking and acting in a positive manner, and helping these young men develop careers around a sport they love”, says Smith (CEO) of TRU Sports Foundation.Student athletes must register through a link that has been sent out to all coaches in the tri-county area in order to participate in the All Star showcase. Saturday, December 17th 2023, there will be a mandatory Parent/ Player meeting at 9am for Private and Charter school student athletes, and 10am for all Public School student athletes. The meeting will take place at the TRU Prep Academy 4715 nw 157th st #201 Miami Gardens Fl 33014The Private vs Public All Star high school football game is an effort to provide graduating seniors an opportunity to showcase their talent among their peers, and obtain one last look by coaches and recruiters, representing colleges and universities across the country. In order to be considered for participation, students are required to maintain 2.5 Core grade point average and have taken the ACT or SAT exam.“I commend TRU Sports Foundation for providing this type of opportunity and exposure to these players,” said (Denver Broncos) Cornerback Kayvon Webster, who was coached by Smith in high school. “Coming from the same neighborhood as many of these kids, programs like these are so necessary in helping to ensure talented athletes, who may have been overlooked, have an opportunity to be seen by college coaches. That second or third look might be the one to make a difference, and help them realize their dream of getting a college education and playing football.”In addition to the game, players will also participate in a number of events leading up to the game, including Media Day press event where student athletes will have an opportunity to gain interview experience and be addressed by members of the media daily.“We are extremely excited to host an All-Star Game that not only allows players, parents and fans alike, the opportunity to experience an action-packed and competitive contest between some of the state’s top ranked schools, but incorporates time in the schedule for athletes to go out and make a difference in the lives of others, truly making this a community-wide event,” said Smith. Game tickets are $15 for everyone attending the game
With three wins this past weekend at DRV PNK Stadium, five south Florida teams showcased some quality players in the state championships.
With titles in 4M, 3M and 2M, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties had the chance to make an impression with fans around the state.
OFFENSIVE LEADERS
In the 4M matchup between Miami Christopher Columbus (14-1) and Apopka, it took overtime to win, but head coach Dave Dunn and the Explorers came through.
Among the offensive stat leaders were junior quarterback Alberto Mendoza (11 of 16 for 148 yards).
Senior running back Sedrick Irvin had 54 yards on the ground.
Junior Jose Leon (49 yards, TD) and senior A.J. Arellano (21 yards plus winning pass).
On defense, sophomore Hector Chavez (20 tackles), Ja’juan Bradshaw (16 tackles) and Daylen Russell (11 tackles).
RAIDERS WIN 3M BATTLE
In the first ever Miami-Dade vs. Broward County contest, the Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders ended the year with a perfect 14-0 mark, beating Homestead, 38-21.
Offensively, head coach Roger Harriott and St. Thomas Aquinas had 124 yards from senior quarterback Hezekiah “Champ” Harris.
On the ground, senior Gemari Sands had 95 yards and a score, junior Jordan Lyles finished with 93 yards and a score and Harris 62 yards and a score.
Junior receivers Chance Robinson (59 yards) and James Madison (49 yards) and a score were impressive.
Homestead junior quarterback Joshua Townsend (15 completions for 221 yards and three scores).
Javon Robinson (6 catches, 91 yards and 2 scores), Cortez Mills (5 catches for 79 yards) and Richard Dandridge (2 catches, 55 yards and a score).
Isaac Brown finished with 37 yards on the ground.
On defense for the Raiders, Keyshawn Johnson (7 tackles), Jayvant Brown, Zakaih Saez, King Mack and Nicholas Rodriguez all had five tackles.
Marcus Woodley had 12 tackles for the Broncos, Eduardo Nunez finished with 10 and David Jester chipped in with 7.
2M
In the other Miami-Dade against Broward contest, first year head coach Jube Joseph and Miami Central finished a perfect (14-0) season with a 38-31 win against 13-2- and first-year head coach Mike Smith and Plantation American Heritage.
The Rockets had 154 yards passing from senior Keyone Jenkins and three scores.
Jonathan Harris had 141 yards and a score on the ground. Sophomore Nicholas McCall added 101 yards and Jenkins finished with 73.
Corey Washington led all Central receivers with six catches for 51 yards and a score. Cataurus Hicks had 78 yards and a score and Anjuan Coleman finished with 20 yards and a score.
American Heritage was led by senior quarterback Blake Murphy, who threw for 235 yards and a score.
Ohio State commit Brandon Inniss caught 7 balls for 87 yards and freshman Malachi Toney caught four balls for 50 yards.
Standout Mark Fletcher ran for 111 yards and a score. Murphy had 61 yards.
On defense, the Rockets had 14 tackles from sophomore Ezekiel Marcelin, 13 from senior Stanquan Clark and Zayden Laing-Taylor eight tackles, senior Rueben Bain had a sack.
For the Patriots, the school’s all-time leading David Vadala had seven tackles. Byron Drewes finished with six, and Jamarcus Smith, Daemon Fagan and Victor King had 5.
For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Back in the third week of August, the state of Florida started the 2022 high school football season.
After months of camps, combines, late night workout and training and 7-on-7 events, the season began – and despite weather and a few other obstacles, the show went on.
This past weekend, the show came to an end as the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Florida State High School Football Champions Were Crowned.
Here is a look at the way the entire run for the state titles unfolded:
METRO PLAYOFFS
Class 4-Metro, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Sanford Seminole 30, No. 8 Jacksonville Mandarin 28
No. 4 Lake Mary 28, No. 5 Oviedo Hagerty 0
No. 2 Apopka 17, No. 7 Orlando Boone 3
No. 3 Winter Park 31, No. 6 Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley 0
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
No. 4 Lake Mary 12, No. 1 Sanford Seminole 7
No. 2 Apopka 28, No. 3 Winter Park 7
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Apopka 30, No. 4 Lake Mary 23
Class 4-Metro, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Tarpon Springs East Lake 31, No. 8 Orlando Olympia 20
No. 4 Tampa Plant 37, No. 5 Riverview Sumner 34
No. 2 Winter Garden West Orange 35, No. 7 Lutz Steinbrenner 0
No. 3 Ocoee 42, No. 6 Plant City Durant 27
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Tarpon Springs East Lake 38, No. 4 Tampa Plant 14
No. 3 Ocoee 29, No. 2 Winter Garden West Orange 28
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Ocoee 43, No. 1 Tarpon Springs East Lake 19
Class 4-Metro, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central 46, No. 8 Jupiter 7
No. 5 Parkland Stoneman Douglas 48, No. 4 Lantana Santaluces 44
No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch 56, No. 7 Boca Raton 21
No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens 30, No. 6 Wellington 13
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central 55, No. 5 Parkland Douglas 23
No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens 35, No. 2 Coconut Creek Monarch (9-2) 28 (OT)
REGION FINAL
No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central 14, No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens 10
Class 4-Metro, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 63, No. 8 Miami High 0
No. 4 Miami Palmetto 37, No. 5 Pembroke Pines West Broward 13
No. 2 Davie Western 38, No. 7 Weston Cypress Bay 17
No. 3 Doral Academy 50, No. 6 Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 25
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 28, No. 4 Miami Palmetto 0
No. 3 Doral Academy 32, No. 2 Davie Western 21
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 31, No. 3 Doral Academy 3
STATE SEMIFINAL
No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus 41, No. 3 Ocoee 36
No. 2 Apopka 27, No. 1 Wellington Palm Beach Central 24
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Miami Christopher Columbus (14-1) 16, vs. No. 2 Apopka (11-4) 13 (OT)
Class 3-Metro, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Orlando Edgewater 57, No. 8 Jacksonville First Coast 6
No. 5 Tampa Bay Tech 34, No. 4 Neptune Beach Fletcher 3
No. 2 Orlando Jones 29, No. 7 Apopka Wekiva 14
No. 3 Oviedo 22, No. 6 Tampa Wharton 21 (OT)
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Orlando Edgewater 28, No. 5 Tampa Bay Tech 24
No. 2 Orlando Jones 49, No. 3 Oviedo 21
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Orlando Jones 42, No. 1 Orlando Edgewater 13
Class 3-Metro, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Tampa Jesuit 52, No. 8 St. Petersburg 0
No. 4 Tampa Gaither 27, No. 5 Pinellas Park 6
No. 2 Largo 22, No. 7 St. Petersburg Northeast 0
No. 3 Gibsonton East Bay 14, No. 6 Seminole Osceola 12
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Tampa Jesuit 45, No. 4 Tampa Gaither 10
No. 2 Largo 28, No. 3 Gibsonton East Bay 12
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Tampa Jesuit 31, No. 2 Largo 0
Class 3-Metro, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 59, No. 8 Coconut Creek 14
No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic 34, Plantation 12
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard 45, No. 7 Fort Lauderdale 20
No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 28, No. 6 Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 0
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 63, No. 4 Delray Beach Atlantic 14
No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 19, No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Dillard 14
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 35, No. 3 Pompano Beach Blanche Ely 7
Class 3-Metro, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Homestead 40, No. 8 North Miami 0
No. 5 Miami Dr. Krop 23, No. 4 Miami Belen Jesuit 17
No. 2 Miramar 48, No. 7 Pembroke Pines Charter 0
No. 3 Miami Southridge 20, No. 6 Hollywood South Broward 14
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Homestead 35, No. 5 Miami Dr. Krop 12
No. 2 Miramar 29, No. 3 Miami Southridge 24
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Homestead 33, No. 2 Miramar 13
STATE SEMIFINAL
No. 1 Homestead 30, No. 2 Orlando Jones 24
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 45, No. 1 Tampa Jesuit 3
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (14-0) 38, No. 1 Homestead (11-3) 21
Class 2-Metro, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 8 Jacksonville Riverside (4-6) at No. 1 Jacksonville Andrew Jackson (8-2)
Jacksonville Raines (7-2) at No. 4 Jacksonville Ed White (7-2)
No. 7 Orlando Bishop Moore (7-3) at No. 2 Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (8-2)
No. 6 Jacksonville Episcopal (8-2) at No. 3 Jacksonville Bolles (6-4)
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 5 Jacksonville Raines 18, No. 8 Jacksonville Riverside 0
No. 3 Jacksonville Bolles 28, No. 7 Orlando Bishop Moore 10
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Jacksonville Bolles 18, No. 5 Jacksonville Raines 14
Class 2-Metro, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Tampa Catholic 47, No. 8 Tampa King 12
No. 4 St. Petersburg Lakewood 42, No. 5 Clearwater 13
No. 2 Clearwater Calvary Christian 56, No. 7 Tampa Blake 13
No. 3 Tampa Berkeley Prep 42, No. 6 Tampa Robinson 13
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 4 St. Petersburg Lakewood 44, No. 1 Tampa Catholic 41
No. 2 Clearwater Calvary Christian 29, No. 3 Tampa Berkeley Prep 28
REGION FINALS
No. 4 St. Petersburg Lakewood 63, No. 2 Clearwater Calvary Christian 42
Class 2-Metro, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Plantation American Heritage 43, No. 8 Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 7
No. 4 Boynton Beach 29, No. 5 West Palm Beach The King’s Academy 26
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 45, No. 7 Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 0
No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 49, No. 6 Boca Raton St. Andrew’s 34
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 43, No. 3 Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian Academy 27
No. 1 Plantation American Heritage 49, No. 4 Boynton Beach 0
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Plantation American Heritage 31, No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 20
Class 2-Metro, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Miami Central 60, No. 8 Miami St. Brendan
No 4 Miami Northwestern 39, No. 5 Miami Gulliver Prep 0
No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington 27, No. 7 Miami Carol City (5-5) 13
No. 3 Miami Norland 37, No. 6 Miami Jackson 6
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Miami Central 34, No 4 Miami Northwestern 30
No. 3 Miami Norland 14, No. 2 Miami Booker T. Washington 7
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Miami Central 34, No. 3 Miami Norland 20
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Plantation American Heritage 21, No. 3 Jacksonville Bolles 14
No. 1 Miami Central 39, No. 4 St. Petersburg Lakewood 21
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Miami Central (14-0) 38, Plantation American Heritage (13-2) 31
Class 1-Metro, Region 1
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian 30, No. 4 Orlando Christian Prep 13
No. 2 Jacksonville University Christian 42, No. 3 Orlando The First Academy 13
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Jacksonville University Christian 36, No. 1 Jacksonville Trinity Christian 27
Class 1-Metro
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic 63, No. 4 Largo Indian Rocks Christian 12
No. 3 Tampa Carrollwood Day 37, No. 2 St. Petersburg Northside Christian 6
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic 21, No. 3 Tampa Carrollwood Day 11
Class 1-Metro, Region 3
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 48, No. 4 Hollywood Avant Garde 0
No. 2 Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Newman 14, No. 3 North Palm Beach Benjamin 6
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 49, No. 2 West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 16
Class 1-Metro, Region 4
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 4 Miami Palmer Trinity 27, No. 1 Miami Archbishop Carroll 24
No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy 41, No. 2 Miami Westminster Christian 20
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy 58, No. 4 Miami Palmer Trinity 37
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic 35, No. 2 Jacksonville University Christian 29
No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna 56, No. 3 Miami True North Classical Academy 0
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (13-0) 48, No. 1 Clearwater Central Catholic (12-2) 14
SUBURBAN PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Class 4-Suburban, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 St. John’s Bartram Trail 50, No. 8 Flagler Palm Coast 20
No. 4 St. John’s Creekside 47, No. 5 Navarre 20
No. 7 Crestview 26, No. 2 Niceville 21
No. 3 Gainesville Buchholz 35, No. 6 Pace 34
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 St. John’s Bartram Trail 42, No. 4 St. John’s Creekside 15
No. 3 Gainesville Buchholz 54, No. 7 Crestview 33
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Gainesville Buchholz 21, No. 1 St. John’s Bartram Trail 20
Class 4-Suburban, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Lakeland 49, No. 8 Lakeland Lake Gibson 0
No. 5 New Port Richey Mitchell 35, No. 4 Spring Hill Springstead 21
No. 2 Lake Minneola 63, No. 7 Bartow 20
No. 6 Winter Haven 32, No. 3 Land O’ Lakes 14
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Lakeland 47, No. 5 New Port Richey Mitchell 10
No. 2 Lake Minneola 44, No. 6 Winter Haven 14
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Lakeland 41, No. 2 Lake Minneola 6
Class 4-Suburban, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Vero Beach 24, No. 8 Harmony 14
No. 4 Melbourne 28, No. 5 Port St. Lucie Centennial 16
No. 2 Kissimmee Osceola 30, No. 7 DeLand 28
No. 6 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 35, No. 3 Stuart Martin County 7
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Vero Beach 26, No. 4 Melbourne 7
No. 2 Kissimmee Osceola (8-3) 10, No. 6 Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 7
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Kissimmee Osceola 31, No. 1 Vero Beach 7
Class 4-Suburban, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Venice 87, No. 8 Fort Myers Riverdale 20
No. 5 Lehigh 31, No. 4 Palmetto 24
No. 7 Sarasota Riverview 29, No. 2 Naples Gulf Coast 7
No. 6 Sarasota 30, No. 3 Bradenton Manatee 20
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Venice 39, No. 5 Lehigh 0
No. 7 Sarasota Riverview 28, No. 6 Sarasota 7
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Venice 35, No. 7 Sarasota Riverview 15
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Venice 42, No. 3 Gainesville Buchholz 35
No. 1 Lakeland 14, No. 2 Kissimmee Osceola 7
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Lakeland (14-0) 21, No. 1 Venice (9-4) 14
Class 3-Suburban, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Pensacola Pine Forest 35, No. 8 Tallahassee Rickards 15
No. 5 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 42, No. 4 St. Augustine 35
No. 2 Pensacola Escambia 42, No. 7 Middleburg 18
No. 3 Lake City Columbia 29, No. 6 Tallahassee Lincoln 6
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 5 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 30, No. 1 Pensacola Pine Forest 29
No. 3 Lake City Columbia 17, No. 2 Pensacola Escambia 15
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Lake City Columbia 20, No. 5 Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee 14
Class 3-Suburban, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Lake Wales 34, No. 8 Auburndale 10
No. 4 Ocala Vanguard 35, No. 5 New Port Richey River Ridge 0
No. 7 Lecanto 35, No. 2 Dade City Pasco 14
No. 3 Zephyrhills 56, No. 6 New Port Richey Gulf 27
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Lake Wales 40, No. 4 Ocala Vanguard 0
No. 3 Zephyrhills 21, No. 7 Lecanto 0
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Lake Wales 26, No. 3 Zephyrhills 9
Class 3-Suburban, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Rockledge 13, No. 8 Satellite 12
No. 4 Daytona Beach Mainland (7-3) 28, No. 5 Melbourne Eau Gallie 14
No. 2 Jensen Beach 51, No. 7 Port St. Lucie 12
No. 3 Sebring 31, No. 6 Merritt Island 13
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 4 Daytona Beach Mainland 16, No. 1 Rockledge 14
No. 2 Jensen Beach 26, No. 3 Sebring 23
REGION FINALS
No. 4 Daytona Beach Mainland 45, No. 2 Jensen Beach 10
Class 3-Suburban, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Naples 42, No. 8 Bradenton Braden River 6
No. 4 Port Charlotte 40, No. 5 Fort Myers 14
No. 2 Fort Myers Dunbar 21, No. 7 Naples Lely 7
No. 3 North Fort Myers 49, No. 6 Naples Barron Collier 13
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Naples 35, No. 4 Port Charlotte 3
No. 2 Fort Myers Dunbar 33, No. 3 North Fort Myers 32
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Fort Myers Dunbar 14, No. 1 Naples 7
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Lake Wales 37, No. 3 Lake City Columbia 7
No. 4 Daytona Beach Mainland 30, No. 2 Fort Myers Dunbar 24
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Lake Wales (15-0) 32, No. 4 Daytona Beach Mainland (10-4) 30
Class 2-Suburban, Region 1
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Tallahassee FSU High 63, No. 8 Santa Rosa Beach South Walton 44
No. 4 Pensacola Catholic 45, No. 5 Crawfordville Wakulla 21
No. 2 Live Oak Suwannee 39, No. 7 DeFuniak Springs Walton 15
No. 3 Pensacola West Florida 35, No. 6 Panama City Bay 0
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Tallahassee FSU High 18, No. 4 Pensacola Catholic 14
No. 2 Live Oak Suwannee 17, No. 3 Pensacola West Florida 14
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Tallahassee FSU High 38, No. 2 Live Oak Suwannee 13
Class 2-Suburban, Region 2
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Starke Bradford County 48, No. 8 Crescent City 0
No. 5 Gainesville Eastside 27, No. 4 Citra North Marion 14
No. 2 Baldwin 29, No. 7 Palatka 12
No. 3 Glen St. Mary Baker County 16, No. 6 Yulee 6
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Starke Bradford County 37, No. 5 Gainesville Eastside 0
No. 3 Glen St. Mary Baker County 31, No. 2 Baldwin 29
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Starke Bradford County 28, No. 3 Glen St. Mary Baker County 17
Class 2-Suburban, Region 3
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Bushnell South Sumter 63, No. 8 Eustis 13
No. 4 Hudson 34, No. 5 Brooksville Nature Coast 21
No. 2 Cocoa 52, No. 7 Dunnellon 6
No. 3 Melbourne Palm Bay 44, No. 6 Titusville 27
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Bushnell South Sumter 49, No. 4 Hudson 14
No. 2 Cocoa 49, No. 3 Melbourne Palm Bay 3
REGION FINALS
No. 2 Cocoa 35, No. 1 Bushnell South Sumter 7
Class 2-Suburban, Region 4
QUARTERFINALS
No. 1 Fort Myers Bishop Verot 42, No. 8 Mulberry 0
No. 5 Clewiston 29, No. 4 Fort Meade 27
No. 2 Frostproof 34, No. 7 Sarasota Booker 31
No. 6 Arcadia DeSoto County 34, No. 3 Estero 7
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Fort Myers Bishop Verot 42, No. 5 Clewiston 39
No. 2 Frostproof 17, No. 6 Arcadia DeSoto County 17
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Fort Myers Bishop Verot 39, No. 2 Frostproof 21
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Tallahassee FSU High 38, No. 1 Fort Myers Bishop Verot 28
No. 2 Cocoa 31, No. 1 Starke Bradford County 21
STATE FINAL
No. 2 Cocoa (11-3) 38, No. 1 Tallahassee FSU High (14-1) 31
Class 1-Suburban, Region 1
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Tallahassee North Florida Christian 42, No. 4 Tallahassee Maclay 14
No. 3 Quincy Munroe 21, No. 2 Tallahassee St. John Paul II 19
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Quincy Munroe 40, No. 1 Tallahassee North Florida Christian 35
Class 1-Suburban, Region 2
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic 56, No. 4 Daytona Beach Father Lopez 6
No. 3 Gainesville P.K. Yonge 35, No. 2 Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal 3
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic 48, No. 3 Gainesville P.K. Yonge 7
Class 1-Suburban, Region 3
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Fort Pierce John Carroll 38, No. 4 Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 7
No. 2 Lakeland Christian 16, No. 3 Lakeland Victory Christian 15
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Fort Pierce John Carroll 14, No. 2 Lakeland Christian 7
Class 1-Suburban, Region 4
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Naples First Baptist 42, No. 4 Community School of Naples 6
No. 3 Moore Haven 45, No. 2 Fort Myers Evangelical Christian 13
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Naples First Baptist 49, No. 3 Moore Haven 24
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Naples First Baptist 28, No. 3 Quincy Munroe 7
No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic 22, No. 1 Fort Pierce John Carroll 10
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Naples First Baptist (10-2) 21, No. 1 Ocala Trinity Catholic (9-3) 3
RURAL PLAYOFFS
Class 1-Rural, Region 1
No. 1 Bratt Northview (10-0 – BYE)
No. 2 Chipley (10-0 – BYE)
QUARTERFINALS
No. 5 Bonifay Holmes County 49, No. 4 Freeport 20
No. 3 Baker 33, No. 6 Panama City Bozeman 14
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Century Northview 34, No. 5 Bonifay Holmes County 26
No. 2 Chipley 39, No. 3 Baker 20
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Bratt Northview 42, No. 2 Chipley 6
Class 1-Rural, Region 2
No. 1 Sneads (10-0 – BYE)
No. 2 Port St. Joe (8-2 – BYE)
QUARTERFINALS
No. 5 Cottondale 54, No. 4 Monticello Aucilla Christian 40
No. 3 Blountstown 42, No. 6 Wewahitchka 0
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Sneads 42, No. 5 Cottondale 8
No. 3 Blountstown 14, No. 2 Port St. Joe 13
REGION FINALS
No. 3 Blountstown 49, No. 1 Sneads 14
Class 1-Rural, Region 3
No. 1 Lake Butler Union County (6-2 – BYE)
No. 2 Hilliard (8-2 – BYE)
QUARTERFINALS
No. 5 Madison County 36, No. 4 Fort White 0
No. 3 Mayo Lafayette 35, No. 6 Branford 7
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Lake Butler Union County 27, No. 5 Madison County 16
No. 3 Mayo Lafayette 31, Hilliard 13
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Lake Butler Union County 41, No. 3 Mayo Lafayette 6
Class 1-Rural, Region 4
No. 1 Hawthorne (8-0 – BYE)
No. 2 Pahokee (8-2 – BYE)
REGION SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Hawthorne 33, No. 5 Wildwood 15
No. 2 Pahokee 50, No. 3 Chiefland 28
REGION FINALS
No. 1 Hawthorne 21, No. 2 Pahokee 20
STATE SEMIFINALS
No. 1 Bratt Northview 21, No. 1 Lake Butler Union County 11
No. 1 Hawthorne 28, No. 3 Blountstown 0
STATE FINAL
No. 1 Hawthorne (12-0) 13, No. 1 Bratt Northview (13-1) 2
For the past 52 years, we have spent plenty of time on football fields than anyone in the country. From games to practices, camps, combines and 7-on-7 events, we get to as many events as possible to see the athletes LIVE. Follow us on Facebook (Larry Blustein) Instagram (@OurBoyBlu) and Twitter (@larryblustein). Contact us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
FORT LAUDERDALE - For the second time in school history, the Miami Christopher Columbus Explorers are state champions.
In one of the most exciting games of the 2022 state finals, the 14-1 Explorers and head coach Dave Dunn captured the inaugural 4M crown, beating head coach Jeff Rolson and the Apopka Blue Darters at DRV PNK Stadium in overtime, 16-13.
The thriller saw the two evenly matched teams battle for the second time in the past four years.
The Blue Darters got on the board at the 9:24 mark of the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Hayden Koscicki.
The Explorers took a 7-3 lead with 2:09 left in the opening quarter when junior quarterback Alberto Mendoza connected with fellow junior Jose Leon from 50 yards out for his 35th scoring strike of the season.
Will Allen gave the Explorers a 10-3 halftime advantage when he booted a 32-yard field goal.
After a one-hour lightning delay the teams got back on the field and defense took over for the entire third quarter and into the fourth.
When Tyson Davison went 46 yards with 4:44 left, the game was tied at 10-10. The Blue Darters had a chance to win it with :1 second left, but Koscicki’s field goal attempt was blocked by senior Ahmere Foster, sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, Apopka led 13-10 on a field goal by Koscicki.
The Explorers then had their chance in the period and on third down Sedric Irvin got the handoff from Mendoza who pitched the ball to receiver and former quarterback A.J. Arellano, who threw to a wide open Mendoza for the win.
For Arellano, who lost his father earlier this year, it was indeed sweet and quite a way to end his football career for the Explorers.
STATS OF THE NIGHT
The Explorers had nine first downs and 192 total yards.
Mendoza was 11 of 16 for 148 yards and a score.
Leon caught 2 passes for 49 yards.
Irvin carried 13 times for 48 yards.
For Apopka, they finished with 14 first downs and 328 total yards.
Davison completed five of eight for 52 yards.
Antonio Ferguson caught two balls for 24 yards.
Davison carried 11 times for 129 yards and a score. Zeldrick Roberts had 18 carries for 79 yards.
On defense, sophomore Hector Chavez had 20 tackles, Ja’Juan Bradshaw finished with 12 and Daylen Russell 10 with a sack
For Apopka, Rashad Watson had 10 tackles, Donovan Muldrow ended with nine.
Lorenzo Payne came up with two sacks. Malik Nicholson had one sack, Kaven Call and Kevin Roberts each had one.
EXPLORERS (14-1)
BENEDICTINE, GEORGIA, W 41-15
MIAMI KILLIAN, W 44-13
TAMPA JESUIT, W 32-15
Miami Palmetto, W 28-10
Miami Northwestern, W 23-19
at Miami High, W 54-14
at Homestead, W 21-6
at Doral Academy, 35-7
Miami Central, L 42-35
HIALEAH BARBARA GOLEMAN, W 42-0
MIAMI HIGH, W 64-0
MIAMI PALMETO, W 28-0
DORAL ACADEMY, W 31-3
OCOEE, W 41-36
Apopka, W 16-13 (OT)
BLUE DARTERS (11-4)
OCOEE, W 13-12
Winter Garden West Orange, L 13-6
ORLANDO DR. PHILLIPS, W 7-6
Orlando Edgewater, L 28-19
ORLANDO OLYMPIA, W 38-23
Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley, W 20-13
Lake Mary, W 21-17
ORLANDO EVANS, W 23-12
SANFORD SEMINOLE, W 24-23
Apopka Wekiva, L 20-14
ORLANDO BOONE, W 17-3
WINTER PARK, 28-7
LAKE MARY, W 30-23
WELLINGTON PALM BEACH CENTRAL, W 27-24
Miami Christopher Columbus, L 16-13 (OT)
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When Miami Christopher Columbus and Apopka get together this evening (7:00) to close out the 2022 season in the 4M state title game, you will have a pair of teams who know one another very well.
The DRV PNK Stadium matchup will bring the two teams back together after head coach Dave Dunn’s Explorers stunned the Blue Darters 21-20 after trailing most of the way.
The Explorers come into the game on a roll and have relied on seniors such as versatile A.J. Arellano (WR/QB, 5-11, 165), nationally rated punter Christian De Villiers (6-3, 190), impressive safety Ahmere Foster (5-11, 165) and Stanford-bound Sedrick Irvin (RB, 6-0, 195) leading the way. The senior class also boasts Miles McGee (MLB, 6-2, 212).
Talk about loaded for the future, Columbus has Class of 2024 juniors like Jeffery Bandy (CB, 5-9, 175), gifted Jose Leon (WR, 5-10, 170), impressive Alberto Mendoza (QB, 6-2, 175) and talented prospects Daylen Russell (DE/DT, 6-3, 230), Dylan Stephenson (DE, 6-4, 215) and cornerback Jancent Wallace (5-10, 160) leading the way along with Benjamin Blackburn (TE, 6-5, 230).
EXPLORERS (13-1)
BENEDICTINE, GEORGIA, W 41-15
MIAMI KILLIAN, W 44-13
TAMPA JESUIT, W 32-15
Miami Palmetto, W 28-10
Miami Northwestern, W 23-19
at Miami High, W 54-14
at Homestead, W 21-6
at Doral Academy, 35-7
Miami Central, L 42-35
HIALEAH BARBARA GOLEMAN, W 42-0
MIAMI HIGH, W 64-0
MIAMI PALMETO, W 28-0
DORAL ACADEMY, W 31-3
OCOEE, W 41-36
For head coach Jeff Rolson and his football team, they ride into the state final game winners of nine contests in the past 10 games.
Led by seniors Kaven Call (DE, 6-3, 225), Antonio Ferguson (WR, 6-4, 235), Bryce Harrison (TE, 6-5, 220), Kaleb Hicks (QB, 6-2, 195), Malik Nicholson (OLB, 5-10, 175), Tai Ray (OT, 6-7, 310), Zeldrick Roberts (OLB, 5-9, 190), Zaire Warner (OL, 6-0, 260), Rashad Watson (LB) and Jordan Wright (CB).
Juniors Evan Ashford (OT, 6-4, 270), Cameran Barnes (DE/TE), Bryson Bowman (DE, 6-0, 185), Matthew Campbell (OLB, 5-11, 215), Malachi Davie (DB, 6-0, 160), Marcus Grant Jr. (CB, 6-2, 175), Nathan Jenkins III (S, 5-8, 165), Ethan Korkes (OL, 6-3, 305), Lorenzo Payne IV (DE, 6-2, 220), Kevin Roberts (DE, 6-1, 225), Antwone Robinson (RB, 6-0, 190), Alex Wideman (OLB) and Charvis Williams (OT, 6-5, 270).
Also, Bobby Miller (WR, 6-3, 170), Noah Morgan (RB, 5-6, 135) and Donovan Muldrow II (Athlete, 5-8, 185)
BLUE DARTERS (11-3)
OCOEE, W 13-12
Winter Garden West Orange, L 13-6
ORLANDO DR. PHILLIPS, W 7-6
Orlando Edgewater, L 28-19
ORLANDO OLYMPIA, W 38-23
Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley, W 20-13
Lake Mary, W 21-17
ORLANDO EVANS, W 23-12
SANFORD SEMINOLE, W 24-23
Apopka Wekiva, L 20-14
ORLANDO BOONE, W 17-3
WINTER PARK, 28-7
LAKE MARY, W 30-23
WELLINGTON PALM BEACH CENTRAL, W 27-24
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