Central (Miami) at Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Denzel Houston, Mainland
Photo by Del Mecum
This is the third state semifinal-round matchup between these teams in the last five seasons. No. 16 Central beat Mainland last year en route to its second-consecutive Class 6A title. Central also defeated Mainland in 2011, but that result was later changed to a forfeit loss. This season, Central (12-1) has had a few close calls but a one-point loss to No. 4 Booker T. Washington (Miami) on Sept. 5 is the only blemish on its record. Despite committing a whopping 19 penalties for 176 yards, the Rockets prevailed with a 20-12 win over Heritage (Palm Bay) in last week's quarterfinals. On the other side, No. 12 Mainland remains one of only nine unbeaten teams left in the state of Florida. However, the Buccaneers (13-0) have been pushed to their limit a few times in the postseason. They needed a big defensive effort to secure a 21-7 win over South Fort Myers last Friday after barely slipping past Edgewater (Orlando), 30-28, the week before. Quarterback
Denzel Houston has developed into Mainland's top offensive weapon. The lightning-quick sophomore has 42 combined passing and rushing touchdowns this season.
Follow live scoring of this game on Qwixcore Just the facts: Mainland has qualified for the postseason every year since 1994 but has won only one state title (2003). Central has been in the playoffs only eight years in a row but has won it all three times (2010, '12 and '13). … At least one team from the City of Miami has won a Florida state championship in 16 of the last 23 seasons.
Mitch Stephens: Central 21, Mainland 20
Kevin Askeland: Mainland 35, Central 28
Jamie DeMoney: Central 24, Mainland 22
Stephen Spiewak: Mainland 21, Central 20
Leland Gordon: Mainland 24, Central 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Central 24, Mainland 21
