First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.) vs. No. 18 Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.)Undefeated First Coast could be a handful for nationally ranked Manatee in Friday night's
Florida Class 7A championship game. The Buccaneers (13-0) rely on the dynamic combination of
DeAndre Johnson throwing to Alabama commit
Chris Black. Johnson, who is only a freshman, has thrown for 2,706 yards and 24 touchdowns. Black has 55 catches for 881 yards. First Coast beat previously undefeated Lakeland last week 24-14, denying the Dreadnaughts a fifth state finals berth in eight seasons.
Without question, Manatee (12-2) has the best resume of any two-loss team in the country. The Hurricanes challenged themselves to the max in the preseason, losing by a combined 13 points to top-ranked Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and No. 5 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). Manatee has since won 11 straight games including last week's hard-fought
19-14 decision over Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens). Junior quarterback
Cord Sandberg ran for a 20-yard touchdown in the final three minutes to send Manatee to the championship game for the second time in three seasons and seventh overall. Its last state title time came in 1992.
Mitch Stephens: Manatee 21, First Coast 15
Steve Montoya: Manatee 14, First Coast 7
Stephen Spiewak: Manatee 24, First Coast 10
Kevin Askeland: Manatee 35, First Coast 14
Jamie DeMoney: Manatee 24, First Coast 21
Manatee has burst into the Xcellent 25 this season and will look for its first title in 19 years.
File photo by Stuart Browning
