Local Champions In FHSAA Football Playoffs

     Four high schools from South Florida went up to the Citrus Bowl at Orlando in early December and won 2014 FHSAA state football championships. It did not match what happened in 2013 in which South Florida schools captured six of the eight classifications.
     In the small schools category, the Booker T. Washington Tornadoes went undefeated again as they captured another Class 4A championship with a 54-35 victory over The Bolles School Bulldogs. The Tornadoes were led on offense by running back Mark Walton.
     The American Heritage Stallions failed to bring another state championship to Delray Beach as they lost to Trinity Christian 27-7 in the Class 3A title game. They had a well-rounded offense which consisted of running back Devin Singletary, quarterback Warren Robinson along with wide receivers Desmond Cain and Trenard Davis.
     South Florida had four representatives in the large school category as they had in 2013. The American Heritage Patriots brought home their second straight Class 5A title to Plantation as they routed Godby 38-0. The Pats had quarterback Torrance Gibson steer the offense and defensive back Tavares McFadden dictate the defense.
     The Miami Central Rockets repeated again as Class 6A state champions as they defeated the Armwood Hawks 24-10.  It was the third consecutive title for the school who were led by wide receiver Da'vante Phillips.
     The St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders returned to the top of the Class 7A mountain when they blanked the Osceola Kowboys 31-0. It was the fifth state title for STA since 2007 and their eighth championship in school history. The strong offense had numerous weapons which included Jordan Scarlett at running back, Jake Rizzo at quarterback along with Devante Peete, Juwuan Harris and Sam Bruce at wide receiver. Defensive end Nicholas Bozo spearheaded the Raiders defense.
     The Columbus Explorers were the only local large school to lose in the title game as they were defeated by the Apopka Blue Darters 30-23 in Class 8A. Apopka, who fell to South Dade last year, won their second championship in the past three years.