Advertisement

Sean Callahan has long history with Lakewood’s semifinal foe

It seems fitting that the Spartans have to get past Miami Washington to reach their first state final. Just like Armwood did in the early 2000s.
 
In this 2004 file photo, Armwood coach Sean Callahan, center, talks to his team after a big win in the Class 4A state semifinals over Miami Washington.
In this 2004 file photo, Armwood coach Sean Callahan, center, talks to his team after a big win in the Class 4A state semifinals over Miami Washington. [ GREG FIGHT | Times ]
Published Nov. 29, 2019

Armwood High found the right formula for its 2003 state title run: a veteran coaching staff, a powerful running game and a devastating defense.

What the Hawks were unable to find, at least in their state semifinal against Miami Booker T. Washington, was the field.

This was before the days of GPS systems on cell phones. The bus driver went in circles looking for the stadium lights. The search ended less than an hour before kickoff.

“We pulled in to play them at 6:50 p.m.,” said Sean Callahan, Armwood’s coach at the time. “I asked the officials if we could have an extra half hour and they looked me in the eye and said, ‘No.’ We had to get dressed, taped, warm up and play by 7:30.”

The Hawks were never flustered. Running the triple option to perfection, Armwood won convincingly, 34-14, one step away from its first state title.

Related: RELATED: Dad was right (mostly) about Lakewood’s Greg Spann II

Among those celebrating that semifinal win were defensive coordinator Matt Thompson and quarterback Evan Davis.

All three are now coaching teams in tonight’s state semifinals. Thompson leads Jesuit against Miami Northwestern. Davis will guide his alma mater against Orlando Edegwater.

As for Callahan, he is in his first season as an assistant at Lakewood.

The Spartans’ state semifinal opponent? Miami Washington.

“Everything really has come full circle, hasn’t it?” Callahan said.

Armwood's James Jolly, left, and Dougie Thompson, right crush Miami Washington's, Ronald Wright in the 2003 state semifinals. [ RICHARD PATTERSON | Richard Patterson ]

For years, Callahan guided the Hawks in memorable state semifinal matchups against the Tornadoes.

In 2004, the teams played a classic. This time, Washington had to travel to Seffner. Armwood trailed 35-28 in the final seconds. The Hawks scored on a halfback pass to close within a point. Callahan decided to go for two points and the win. He gave the ball to fullback Kalvin Bailey, who barely got into the end zone for a 36-35 win.

“It was an incredible game,” Callahan said. “I’m the kind of guy who goes by the book and I wouldn’t be going for two if we weren’t at home and didn’t cease momentum. They were thinking we were going to kick it. We missed a block and the linebacker hit Kalvin square. Kalvin just barely broke the plane.”

Armwood and Washington would meet two more times in the next three seasons. The Hawks won another state semifinal against the Tornadoes in 2005, 37-34. In 2007, Washington finally came out on top, 34-14.

“If you had to pick our biggest rival during the regular season, you would have to say Plant,” Callahan said. “In the postseason you would have to say Booker T. When they came up to play us, it was packed. There were people parking on the interstate and climbing the fence. The press box would be shaking. It was crazy.”

Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

Subscribe to our free Sports Today newsletter

We’ll send you news and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays and Florida’s college football teams every day.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options
Related: RELATED: A closer look at Friday’s state semifinals involving Tampa Bay teams

It may not be the same atmosphere tonight, but it is sure to be packed again. Lakewood has never won a state championship in football (in fact, no Pinellas school has a title).

The Spartans don’t have a playoff history with the Tornadoes, although they did meet in the spring of 2013. That was the year the Spartans went to their last state semifinal. It was also the year Washington won a state championship.

“(The score) was something big to 14,” Lakewood coach Cory Moore said of the loss to Washington. “Their whole D-line was Miami commits. They blew us out.”

In this 2004 file photo, Armwood's Kalvin Bailey gains some ground against Miami Washington's Franklin Brown, No. 88, and Marcellino Moss, No. 10. [ Times ]

But there was a method to Moore’s madness. He wanted to play the best teams he could in the spring and preseason to prepare his team for what they might face in the playoffs.

“It’s working out for us,” Moore said. “That’s why we played those tough teams. And we get them at Lakewood, so that’s even better.”

So here they are, up against an 11-2 team that plays well on both sides of the ball. It’s going to look awfully familiar to Callahan.

“They do the same things, probably a little bit better,” Callahan said. “It’s going to take a monsterous effort. Our big thing is we’ve got to cut down on penalties. We don’t really turn the ball over. But we’ve got to be smart and attack the ball.”

Thompson and Davis have their own challenges against worthy opponents. In fact, Thompson asked Davis for some intel on Miami Northwestern, the team Armwood faced in the Class 6A state finals the past two years.

All three still keep in touch.

“We’ll congratulate each other and sometimes seek advice,” Thompson said. “I remember those games against Booker T. Washington well. It’s pretty neat that Sean has another shot at them with a school that’s trying to win its first state title.”

State semifinals

All games 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Class 2A

Seffner Christian (10-3) at Hialeah Champagnat (8-3)

Class 3A

Clearwater Central Catholic (10-3) at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna (10-2)

Class 4A

Miami Washington (11-2) at Lakewood (12-0)

Class 5A

Jesuit (11-2) at Miami Northwestern (11-2)

Class 6A

Gaither (12-1) at Escambia (13-0)

Class 7A

Edgewater (12-1) at Armwood (12-1)

Class 8A

Steinbrenner (12-1) at Apopka (11-1)