Know the foe: Hialeah Champagnat (10-1)
Up next: Hosts Northside Christian (10-2) in a Class 2A state semifinal Friday.
Road to the state semifinals: D. Community School of Naples 34-31; d. Naples First Baptist 13-0
Season in a snap: Champagnat's lone loss was 36-18 to Melbourne Central Catholic, the team that knocked Clearwater Central Catholic out of the playoffs after nine overtimes. … The Lions' two playoff games weren't exactly blowouts. Freshman running back Calvin Montgomery scored three touchdowns and Champagnat made a field goal as time expired to beat Community School, according to the Miami Herald. Against First Baptist, the Lions returned a fumble for a touchdown late and had a first-quarter scoring drive aided by an 81-yard reception, according to the Naples Daily News. … The Lions are a fairly young team, with just 10 seniors on their roster.
Playoff history: In 2013, Champagnat won the Class 2A state title, 14-7 over Lakeland Victory Christian. That was the Lions' lone postseason appearance until this season, unless you count 2014, when the defending champs had to forfeit a first-round game to Jupiter Christian. The Lions walked off the field during the regular-season finale against IMG, refusing to complete the game. The Florida High School Athletic Association in turn banned Champagnat from the playoffs.
Northside says: "I'm not going to say what we plan to do against them, but I will say that we are peaking at the right time. We're very good in team play, which means all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams. We're just playing fundamentally sound football right now." — coach Mike Alstott
Predictions
Rodney Page: Champagnat, 24-23
Bob Putnam: Northside Christian, 34-17