Thirteen takes from Armwood (Fla.) at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

1. Florida dudes just play

No Matt Jones, the nation's No. 24 recruit, no problem. Seventy-five percent of the team has never boarded an airplane? Big deal. The delayed flight arrives just 18 hours before kickoff? The players get to bed at 3 a.m. Florida time? The game is on national TV, it's 105 degrees, and your starting quarterback is a transfer who has never taken a snap in your system? And you still prevail over the nation's No. 9 team? A team with superior talent, coaching and unlimited resources? Remarkable. Florida kids don't care the place, circumstance or obstacle, they just ball on Friday night. I've seen five Florida versus out-of-state powerhouses, all going to the Sunshine State.{PAGEBREAK} 2. Armwood stays cool under 'Vegas heat

On top of the wealth of talent Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) possesses, especially on defense, what impressed me most was the poise, which is a trickle down effect from its coaching staff. I expected a lot of chest pumping and talk and "us against the world" shenanigans, but it was quite the opposite. Down the stretch, when Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) made a gallant comeback and two or three calls went against Armwood, the Hawks just went about their business and made all the tough plays when needed. {PAGEBREAK} 3. Keeping up with the Hawks when Jones returns will be next to impossible

I really can't imagine how good Armwood will be when Jones returns from a knee injury in two or three weeks and talented 6-foot-5, 220-pound junior quarterback Darryl Richardson gets a little more seasoning. Last week we talked about Gorman winning a national crown if Don Bosco Prep falters. Now I'd say Armwood will be in prime position, though getting through a Florida playoff is about as tough as it gets. {PAGEBREAK} 4. Wade Edwards might be country's top backup tailback

It's hard to believe the 5-9, 185-pound Wade Edwards is just a backup after rushing for 74 yards and two scores against Gorman's stout defense. Then again, from everything we've heard, Jones (6-3, 215) is Eric Dickerson-reincarnated. {PAGEBREAK} 5. Gorman's Nathan Starks might be No. 2 on that list



The strong and fast 6-foot, 190-pounder ignited Gorman's rally with a 41-yard jaunt around left end. He backs up extremely productive Shaquille Powell and like Edwards, would start on 99 percent of the nation's team. One more detail about Starks that is key. He's only a sophomore.{PAGEBREAK} 6. Darryl Richardson will be an All-American next season

With his size, strength and poise – and the group of athletes on the edge and hogs in the trenches – Richardson is in a can't miss situation. He's not as fleet as Cam Newton, but he can definitely motor for a guy his size. Little more reminiscent of former LSU great and, unfortunately Raiders' bust, JaMarcus Russell. Let's hope for Richardson's sake things turn out better – at least on the field. {PAGEBREAK} 7. Armwood defense will record at least six shutouts

Film of his team's defeat confirmed what Tony Sanchez already thought: "That's the best defensive team I've ever seen in high school." Make no mistake, though Gorman could muster only 17 points and 290 yards, that was an onslaught compared to what most teams will muster. Plays that Gorman routinely turn into six were batted away, chased down and generally gobbled up. A play that typified that was a sure first-quarter touchdown pass from Jarrett Solomon to tight end Zach Hutchins was batted away by defensive back Leon McQuay, a 6-1, 180-pound junior. "That wasn't a bad pass or execution or anything but six points," Sanchez said. "But that kid's closing speed was so remarkable he somehow got to the pass and tipped it away. They did that sort of thing all night." {PAGEBREAK} 8. Gorman's fourth quarter was more impressive than its previous week's second half

After Edwards scored his second touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter to put Armwood up 20-3, I tweeted "game over." (Gotta love quoting your own tweet). For Gorman not only to close within a field goal but to threaten to score the go-ahead touchdown in the final seconds was truly noteworthy and something Sanchez and staff will build off. Though it was crushing, I'm sure, to see their national title hopes dashed. The week before, Gorman outscored then No. 24 Chaparral 35-8 in the second half to win 42-22. {PAGEBREAK} 9. The best game was in the trenches

This will be the best interior battle we'll see all year. We're talking some serious brawn and muscle and each side took control at certain times. The best matchup was Gorman's offensive line featuring Ronnie Stanley (6-6, 275), Nick Strehlow (6-2, 280), Ron Scoggins (6-3, 315) – among others – versus Armwood's Allen Covington (6-2, 225), Sheldin Lewinson (6-2, 235), Randall Drayton (6-4, 290) and Freddie Martin (6-3, 220). "Those guys were studs," Sanchez said. {PAGEBREAK} 10. Sea of orange is ocean of fun

Gorman's raucous cheering section – a sea of orange – was certainly an inspiration to Gorman and also why we love high school sports so much. Even down 20-3, Gorman's 12th man wouldn't let its team give in or give up. That enthusiasm and fun is also a reflection of their coach Sanchez, who is one of the true positive figures I've met in 27 years of covering prep sports. {PAGEBREAK} 11. I'd like to work at Bishop Gorman

Who wouldn't? We spent all day Friday and beyond the beautiful campus, state-of-the-art, college-like sports facilities and uber friendly staff, is just a great feel of warmth and gratitude. And it had nothing to do with the 110-degree heat. {PAGEBREAK} 12. Alvin Bailey is a playmaker supreme



The 5-10, 170-pound junior receiver isn't the fastest player on Armwood, but coach Sean Callahan said with the ball he might be the most elusive. At least without Jones in the lineup. Bailey finished with four catches and 113 yards including the touchdown that changed the game, a 69-yard catch-and-run on a short out early in the second quarter that give the Hawks the lead for good. Bailey was sprung by a nice block from sophomore Greg Newton, a fact Bailey, to his credit, mentioned right away. By the way, the most electrifying play of the night was a zig-zagging 35-yard punt return that was nullified by penalty. Bailey somehow escaped at least a half-dozen tackles and finally went out of bounds.{PAGEBREAK} 13. Matt Jones is a great teammate

Unfortunately I've never seen Matt Jones play in person. Was really looking forward to it, but his knee injury prevented that. If he's as good a back as he is a teammate, he'll be playing someday on Sunday. Surely disappointed not to be playing on the big stage, it never showed. Jones led the team in prayer, on the sideline and when the game was on the line he exalted his team positively. That kind of behavior can't be understated. Several of his teammates said they actually played for him and were extremely sorry he wasn't out there, not because he's such a talent, but because they knew how hard he had worked to get to this moment. Even in street clothes, Jones contributed greatly to the victory.