By Rod Gipson
MaxPreps.com
Tampa Bay Area Playoff Round-up
CLASS 5A
Tampa Chamberlain 24, Tampa Gaither 8
The Chiefs move on after another convincing win against Gaither. Chamberlain had already topped Gaither 41-17 during the first week of the season. Chamberlain quarterback Dontae Aycock led the way, running for two touchdowns and completing five of eight passes.
Largo 31, Dunedin 0
Largo (12-0) has gone unbeaten this season largely on the legs of running back Brynn Harvey. But Packers' quarterback Leonard Johnson took center stage Nov. 23, running for two touchdowns and throwing for another score as Largo rolled rival Dunedin 31-0. Largo won the regular season meeting between the teams in a thrilling 37-31 double overtime affair. But any thoughts of Dunedin exacting revenge didn't last long.
CLASS 4A
Tampa Plant 40, Tampa Jefferson 14
The big Plant-Jefferson rematch turned out to be the Aaron Murray and Derek Winter show. Murray, Plant's star junior quarterback, broke the state record for touchdown passes, throwing four to run his season total to 51. The previous record was 48, set by former Panthers quarterback Robert Marve, now at the University of Miami. Winter, meanwhile, caught six passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. By the way, Plant won the game 40-14.
Seffner Armwood 35, Tampa Hillsborough 0
Despite being unchallenged and unbeaten this year, Armwood has been limited with injuries all season long. Finally healthy, Armwood (12-0) unleashed itself against rival Hillsborough, smashing the Terriers 35-0. Running back Eric Smith led the Hawks with 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Dead ahead for Armwood: Tampa Plant.
CLASS 2A
Tampa Catholic 33, Clewiston 0
Tampa Catholic finally conquered Clewiston. The Crusaders dealt with two-plus years of frustration, defeating a Clewiston program that ended their season in the 2005 and 2006 playoffs. TC linebacker Will Greaves had a interception return for a touchdown and a returned a blocked punt for another score as the Crusaders won 33-0.
CLASS 2B
Frostproof 32, Clearwater Central Catholic 10
Frostproof was no stranger to CCC, as the two teams played a month ago in the regular season. That result was 47-7 in favor of Frostproof. Their playoff meeting wasn't much better for CCC. Frostproof star running back Carlton Thomas blistered the Marauders, rushing for 254 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-10 victory. CCC was limited to 188 total yards and had only four first downs.
CLASS 1A
Bradenton Prep 14, St. Petersburg Keswick Christian 10
Keswick Christian only gave up five first downs to Bradenton Prep. Keswick (11-1) outrushed and outpassed Bradenton Prep but when Tervaris Hines galloped 65 yards with less than one minute left in the game, Keswick watched its dream season fade away.
This week's matchups:
CLASS 5A, Region 2 Final: Kissimmee Osceola (12-0) at Tampa Chamberlain (9-3)
Osceola, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, travel to play Chamberlain fresh off of defeating three-time defending state champion Lakeland in the region semifinals.
CLASS 5A, Region 3 Final: Cape Coral (10-2) at Largo (12-0)
Largo dynamic duo of running back Brynn Harvey and quarterback Leonard Johnson go up against a Cape Coral team that has won eight of its last nine games.
CLASS 4A, Region 3 Final: Tampa Plant (11-1) at Seffner Armwood (12-0)
Another meeting in what has become a great rivalry. Armwood took the opening night regular season meeting this year 26-7. Plant topped the Hawks 38-20 in the playoffs last year during its championship run, and the Hawks beat Plant 24-6 in the postseason the year before that.
CLASS 2A State Semifinals: Tampa Catholic (10-2) at Miami Archbishop Carroll (8-3)
Now that its' Clewiston demon has been exercised, Tampa Catholic is more determined than ever.
