Tampa Jefferson’s road to a state high school football championship got a lot longer last week – and the Dragons couldn’t be happier.
After busing several hours to Citra and back – and defeating North Marion 35-6 in the Class 3A region final, Jefferson was rewarded with another trip: a seven-hour bus ride to Pensacola to play in the state semifinals.
And somewhere between coach Mike Fenton’s on-campus film sessions and those bus rides, the Dragons have developed a road-warrior formula for big wins: run the ball and play lights out defense. That was clearly on display against North Marion.
The Dragons scored all of their five touchdowns on the ground, jumping ahead early and leading through the entire contest. QB Quentin Williams ran for two touchdowns (both 5-yarders), LaDarius Moye added two more (1 and 11 yards) and Demetrius Russell added the other Jefferson score on a 12-yard run.
Meanwhile on defense, Jefferson held North Marion to just 88 yards of offense and to minus-1 yard rushing. The Dragons gave up just five first downs in the game and forced six punts.
The game plans seem to be a turn from the regular season that saw Jefferson win games by scores such as 46-0, 45-7, 63-3, 49-2 and 69-8. The playoffs have required more balance, and the Dragons have provided it.
After outscoring Land O’ Lakes 43-22 to open the postseason, Jefferson outlasted rival and toughest opponent this season St. Petersburg Lakewood 20-15 in the second round. The Dragons combined both their best elements in the win against North Marion.
Phillip Ely, Plant
File photo by Gray Quetti
Other Bay area squads chasing titles as well
In Class 5A, the matchup whispered about all season has arrived: Tampa Plant vs. Lakeland.
Plant (12-1) turned back Clearwater Countryside 24-9 on a rain-soaked, muddy field to advance to a state semifinal meeting against 13-0 Lakeland.
Countryside managed to stay close to Plant for more than half the game. But the Panthers changed the course of the contest midway through the third quarter on a fumble recovery deep in Countryside territory.
Three plays later, QB Phillip Ely scored on a 1-yard run and the Panthers were in control. James Wilder Jr. added a late touchdown on a 1-yard run as Plant pulled away to set up the showdown at the undefeated Lakeland Dreadnaughts.
Meanwhile, Seffner Armwood and Tampa Catholic both advanced in Class 4A and 2B, respectively. Also, Tampa Robinson’s dream of a state title ended in the 2A state semifinals with a 33-0 loss at Belle Glade Glades Central.
Robinson (10-3) was held to just 19 yards of offense and suffered 10 quarterback sacks.
Meanwhile, in its 25-17 win against Charlotte, Armwood benefited from two long touchdown passes by QB Josh Grady. He hooked up with A.J. King on a 45-yard score in the second quarter and later connected on a 70-yard touchdown pass to D’Andre Fulton in the third quarter.
Charlotte, however, proved pesky and would not go away until Armwood linebacker Coty Creech picked up a fumble and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown.
Armwood (12-1) will play at Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer (12-1) in the Class 4A state semifinal.
And Tampa Catholic is back in the state championship game. The Crusaders, who lost in the state finals in 2007, slipped past Hollywood Chaminade 7-6 in the semifinals.
Running back Henry McCloud ran 53 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and the score held up. Chaminade scored later in the quarter but a bad snap thwarted the potential game-tying extra-point attempt.
Tampa Catholic (11-1) is facing Jacksonville Bolles (11-1) for the Class 2B state championship.
