News
This week's playoff matchups
8A semifinals: Neptune Beach Fletcher (11-2) at Plant (12-1)
Historical perspective: The runnerup in Class 8A, District 1, Fletcher has never advanced to the state semifinal round. The Senators' previous best playoff run came in 2003, when they lost to Daytona Beach Mainland, which beat another Hillsborough County team — Durant — en route to the Class 5A state title. Fletcher's two losses this year came to Jacksonville Bishop Kenny (which lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs) and Deland (which lost to Fletcher 24-7 in the second round). Plant is undefeated (4-0) in the state semifinal round, beating Lakeland the past two years, topping Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer in 2008 and Miami Washington in 2006.
6A semifinals: St. Johns Bartram Trail (12-1) at Armwood (13-0)
Historical perspective: Bartram Trail, from Class 6A, District 4, is a runnerup. The Bears won their region for the second time in school history and the first time since 2007. That year, Bartram Trail lost in overtime to Kissimmee Osceola 27-21. Armwood, winner of state titles in 2003 and 2004, hasn't lost a home playoff game since Nov. 22, 2002, when the Hawks lost to Lakeland Lake Gibson 17-14.
By the numbers
25 Total rushing yards by Jesuit in the Tigers' 31-7 loss to Pasco
35 Total victories for Berkeley Prep's outgoing senior class
44:14 Time elapsed until Armwood had its first lead against Gainesville
291 Gaither punting yards Audibles
"You can't move the ball with only two downs a series. It seemed like every time we got momentum, there was a bad snap." — Jason Stokes, Gaither coach, after his team fumbled nine times, six on the quarterback-center exchange, in a 42-14 loss at Lakeland
"That means a lot. It means we just don't have seniors stepping up. We've even got the young guys stepping up. Kudos to Kyle Gibson, man. He's a good player. He makes big hits all the time." — Eric Striker, Armwood LB, on sophomore Kyle Gibson's season-saving forced fumble that led to the Hawks' winning drive against Gainesville.
"No. 4 is a great player. I came up and hit him a couple of times, I thought, pretty hard, but he kept going." — Christian Hardegree, Berkeley Prep WR/DB, on Delray Beach American Heritage RB Greg Bryant (30 carries, 203 yards)
Eduardo A. Encina, Laura Keeley and Joey Knight, Times staff writers
Game balls
QB Alvin Bailey, Armwood: The Hawks junior, known more for his fleet feet, threw for a career-high 192 yards and a pair of second-half touchdowns to lead Armwood to a come-from-behind 17-14 win over Gainesville. Bailey also ran for 80 yards.
RB Wesley Bullock, Plant: The Panther ran for 78 yards and two scores, including the winning touchdown in overtime as Plant advanced to its fourth straight state semifinal game, 28-21 over East Lake.
WR/DB Christian Hardegree, Berkeley Prep: The four-year letterman had three catches for 93 yards, including a diving 17-yard grab inside the Heritage 5-yard line to set up the Buccaneers' lone touchdown in their 17-9 defeat.
LB Logan Marshall, Gaither: The junior's interception on Lakeland's opening drive was one of the few highlights in Gaither's 42-14 loss to the Dreadnaughts.
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