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Sunday morning quarterback

 
Armwood coach Sean Callahan, middle,  pumps his team up before the Hawks’ playoff victory over   Gainesville. Callahan, who has coached Armwood since 1990, leads his Hawks into their third straight state semifinal on Friday.
Armwood coach Sean Callahan, middle, pumps his team up before the Hawks’ playoff victory over Gainesville. Callahan, who has coached Armwood since 1990, leads his Hawks into their third straight state semifinal on Friday.
Published Nov. 29, 2015

Team of the Week

Jesuit: Jesuit's defensive players said a shutout is the goal every week. In their first two playoff games, the Tigers gave up late touchdowns in blowout wins, which didn't really matter to anyone — except the Jesuit defense.

Friday night, Jesuit shut out Fort Myers Dunbar 42-0, its fifth shutout this season. The defense was so dominant that it allowed 55 total yards, scored two of its six touchdowns and caused five turnovers.

The Tigers had a little offense, too. Running back Malik Davis gained 118 yards and passed Mo Harris for the school record in yards gained in a season. Davis now has 2,060 yards. He also set the school record for touchdowns in a season with 27.

Jesuit has outscored its three playoff opponents 111-15. Now comes a rematch against Orlando Bishop Moore, which beat the Tigers last season in the third round of the playoffs, 30-29 in overtime.

If the Tigers can get past Bishop Moore they will make their first appearance in the state final since 1992 and are trying to win their first state championship since 1968.

"It's a huge accomplishment for us," Davis said. "I'm really excited for the chance to play Bishop Moore again."

Player of the Week

Jaylin Jackson, Cambridge Christian: Jackson had the unenviable task of replacing Garrett Young, who set nearly every school record the past four years at quarterback.

There was no challenge to the school's records, but Jackson's numbers were strong with more than 1,000 yards passing on the year. He also has done something no other quarterback at the school has been able to do by leading the program not only to its first trip to the playoffs but its first state championship game appearance.

The Lancers advanced by beating Naples First Baptist 30-26 in the Class 2A state semifinals. Jackson threw for 168 yards, more yards than in his previous two playoff games combined. He also threw for a touchdown and ran for another.

But Jackson's biggest play came on the other side of the ball.

The two-way player also is a defensive back and returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown in what turned out to be the winning score.

Coach of the Week

Sean Callahan, Armwood: Armwood's 40-20 6A region final win against Gainesville wasn't anything out of the ordinary for the Hawks, who were competing for a region title for the 13th season in a row. But the fact that Armwood will play in its third straight state semifinal is something that makes the Hawks' 25th-year coach immensely proud.

"It says an awful lot about the program, the assistant coaches. They've done a great job," Callahan said. "Kids have bought into being tough and working hard, and it's a great sign for the program."

It's also a program that likely wouldn't be where it is right now without Callahan's direction. The victory against Gainesville was Armwood's 51st playoff win, all of which came since 1996 when Callahan took the Hawks to the postseason for the very first time. The Hawks, who will play Cantonment Tate next, are now one win from making their seventh state championship game appearance since 2004.

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Notable performances in losses

• Nature Coast's DeShawn Smith may not have ended his senior season on a high note, but his numbers this season will be the benchmark for North Suncoast rushers for many seasons to come. On Friday against Green Cove Springs Clay, Smith gained 116 yards on 18 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns in a 40-28 loss. He also had 107 yards receiving, which was all of the Sharks' receiving yards, and scored on a 64-yard reception. He ends his historic senior season with 3,671 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. He also had five receiving touchdowns, threw a touchdown and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown for a total of 67 TDs.

• Tampa Catholic struggled on both sides of the ball in its 47-14 loss to Jacksonville Trinity Christian, but quarterback Austin Sessums and wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers still went out with a bang. Sessums threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Craig-Myers. The senior wide receiver finished with 113 yards on eight receptions.

Playoff slate

State semifinals

All games 7:30 p.m. Friday. Admission $9

Class 6A

• Cantonment Tate at Armwood

Class 5A

• Orlando Bishop Moore at Jesuit

State final

At the Citrus Bowl, Orlando. Admission $12; parking $10

Class 2A

• Cambridge Christian vs. Jacksonville University Christian, 1:07 p.m. Friday