JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Raines, St. Augustine and Trinity Christian are the last area teams left standing in the high school football state playoffs. The road ended in Georgia for reigning state champ Pierce County.
But the state semifinals are up next for the Vikings, Yellow Jackets and Conquerors, although it’s more than likely only one of those teams will be at home for the final four round. That will likely be the Vikings (12-0), who will almost certainly face Sarasota Booker when the FHSAA unveils final brackets on Saturday morning after Raines hammered Bishop Kenny 44-15 in Region 1-3A.
St. Augustine’s defense delivered back-to-back region championships in a 13-6 win over Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee in Region 1-4A. The Yellow Jackets are likely bound for a road game at Plantation American Heritage when brackets come out Saturday. St. Augustine (11-1) is fourth in Class 4A behind Plantation American Heritage, Jones and Naples in the most recent FHSAA rankings. The association will reset the rankings with the Friday results factored in.
The Yellow Jackets got rushing touchdowns in the first quarter from Christian Coleman and Trendell Anderson but that was it for offense. The Indians controlled St. Augustine at the line of scrimmage and dominated on special teams. The Yellow Jackets missed a PAT, shanked a punt, had one partially blocked and another blocked. Despite those struggles, the St. Augustine defense was spectacular. K’yon Wilcox had an interception that set up Coleman’s touchdown run and Jimmie Wheeler had the clincher with under a minute to play to seal the win. The Yellow Jackets stopped Choctaw three times on fourth down, including twice in the final quarter from inside the 25.
In Region 1-1A, host Trinity Christian beat University Christian for the second straight season in the playoffs, using defense to squeeze the Christians in a 27-6 win. Areyion Guyton had two rushing touchdowns for Trinity and the Conquerors had three takeaways in the win.
The Conquerors (10-3) are more than likely headed on the road to face Chaminade-Madonna in the state semifinals. Chaminade is a dynasty and has won six of the last seven state championships. The exception was in 2020 when Trinity surged back for a 25-22 win in the 3A title game in Tallahassee. That was the ninth state title for Trinity and head coach Verlon Dorminey.
Bolles will miss the state semifinals for the first time in six seasons after a 21-9 loss to Gadsden County in Region 1-2A. The loss ended a 10-game winning streak by Bolles, which hadn’t lost since Week 1 against Raines. Bolles (10-2) trailed 14-7 at halftime but managed just a safety after that.
In Region 1-6A, one of the best seasons in Oakleaf history ended with a 25-19 loss to Gainesville Buchholz. Deuce Foy had a rushing touchdown early and Jack McKissock’s 1-yard touchdown push in the fourth quarter put the Knights in front 12-10. But the Bobcats scored twice in four minutes, including a scoop and score for a 25-12 lead. McKissock threw a 75-yard touchdown to Carlos Witherup after that to give Oakleaf a pulse, but the Bobcats drained the clock to clinch it. It marks Buchholz’s fourth straight trip to the state semifinals. The Knights (9-4) had only been to the third round once before (2014).
In the Rural state semifinals, Union County’s season came to an end for the second consecutive season against powerhouse Madison County in a 34-8 loss. Trenton Klein had a touchdown pass to Gavin Jenkins for the Tigers’ lone touchdown.
In the Georgia High School Association playoffs, Pierce County’s quest to go back to back ended with a 44-7 loss at Carver in the Class 2A state quarterfinals. The Bears ended their season at 11-2.
Friday’s results
Regional finals
Class 6A
Gainesville Buchholz 25, Oakleaf 19
Class 4A
St. Augustine 13, Choctawhatchee 6
Class 3A
Class 2A
Class 1A
Trinity Christian 27, University Christian 6
State semifinals
Rural
Madison County 34, Union County 8
Final four teams
Class 4A
St. Augustine (11-1), Naples (11-2), Jones (13-0), Plantation American Heritage (10-2)
Class 3A
Raines (12-0), Sarasota Booker (10-3), Eau Gallie (12-1), Miami Northwestern (10-2)
Class 1A
Chaminade-Madonna (11-2), Clearwater Central Catholic (11-2), Cardinal Newman (10-1), Trinity Christian (10-3)