JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There were six games in the Florida high school football playoffs that involved teams in our viewing area Friday, and in five of them, a local team won.
In 7A, Bartram Trail beat Fleming Island 38-13 in a rematch of a regular season game won by the Bears.
Bartram Trail, now 10-3, followed up their 56-14 first round win over East Ridge with a 49-21 victory over Tallahassee Lincoln. Offense has been Bartram Trail's calling card this season. Only twice this year, have the Bears failed to score at least 30 points: a 31-28 loss to undefeated St. Augustine and a 38-21 loss to the defending 4A State Champions, Cocoa. In eight of the Bears 13 games, they scored at least 45 points, thanks in large part to a potent two-quarterback system that features Auburn commit Joey Gatewood and three-star recruit Riley Smith.
Bartram Trail will host Tampa Plant, who knocked off previously undefeated Lakeland 13-10 in the third round. Plant shut out East River 43-0 in the first round of the playoffs, then ground out a 22-18 win over Viera to reach the third round. The Panthers' defense has led the way this year. They've shut out four teams, including East River, and surrendered less than 10 points four other times. Only twice did they give up more than 20. Once in a 27-7 loss to Armwood, in a game that was played on a Monday, three days after another game due to Hurricane Irma. The other time they gave up more than 20 was in an uncharacteristic 56-36 win over Wiregrass Ranch on Oct. 27. Plant's defense is led by defensive end Judge Culpepper, a Penn State commit.
In 6A, St. Augustine continued its perfect season with a 49-28 win over Crestview. The Yellow Jackets started their run in the playoffs with a 49-14 win over Tate in the first round, then followed it up with a 52-21 dismantling of Navarre. St. Augustine will travel to Armwood in the state semifinals on Friday.
Armwood shutout their first two playoff opponents, Sebring 42-0 and Hillsborough 22-2 before beating Ocala Vanguard 31-17 on Friday. Like St. Augustine, the Hawks are undefeated at 13-0. They hadn't given up double digits in points in a game since their 35-12 victory over Tampa Bay Tech in their opener. Armwood has shutout four opponents in the last two months.
In 5A, Trinity Christian traveled to Pensacola to face West Florida but lost 24-14, ending the Conquerors season with a record of 9-4 in their first season since moving up from 3A.
Baker County won their 13th straight game, topping Clay 29-14. Baker County's only loss was to St. Augustine in their season opener 31-14 and hasn't lost since.
On to the Finals! Raines and University Christian advance to state finals
In the Georgia playoffs, Glynn Academy topped Harrison 31-7 in 6A. Glynn Academy plays at Lee County next Friday.
In Public class A, Clinch County shutout Mitchell County 21-0 to advance host Mt. Zion in the state semifinals. Charlton County lost to Emmanuel County Institute 49-25, finishing the season with a record of 9-3.