Atlantic And Dr. Phillips Title Preview

     The Atlantic Eagles and Dr. Phillips Panthers play in the FHSAA Class 8A state championship game on Saturday night at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Both teams are trying to capture their first football state title in school history.
     Atlantic(12-1), who has hosted four playoff games this year, make their first appearance in a state championship game for the first time since 1978. The Eagles have won 12 consecutive games since their loss opening week to Palm Beach Central by one point. They topped Plantation 29-12 in a regional quarterfinal, edged Park Vista 14-7 in a regional semifinal, got by Western 35-22 in a regional final and last week beat Miami 28-21 in a state semifinal. Atlantic has outscored their opponents 364-129 this season and held teams to nine points per game.
     The Eagles are well balanced on offense with Antoine Williams II as their quarterback. Their rushing game will have running back Shelley Singletary getting some of the carries for the team along with Corey Cola Jr. and Henry Bryant. University of Florida commit Corey Gammage leads a wide receiver crew that includes Oyeh Lurry-Davis, Cadarius Gaskin, Javone Jackson, Kamareon Williams and Aydin Henningham who can make catches from Williams.
     Dr, Phillips(12-2) reached the Class 8A state championship game last year and blew a fourth quarter 10-point lead to Southridge and lost 14-10. The Panthers certainly have a hometown advantage having their campus less than eight miles away from Camping World Stadium. They are currently on an eight-game winning streak following consecutive losses to Weikiva and Apopka. They hosted their only playoff game and handled Ridge Community 35-7 in a regional quarterfinal. The Panthers went on the road and got by Osceola 17-13 in a regional semifinal, defeated Riverview 28-19 in a regional final and gained revenge on Wekiva 28-7 in a state semifinal. They have outscored their opponents 389-171 this season and allowed 12 points per game.
     The Panthers offense is led by quarterback Besean McCray who can run and pass the ball. Running back Devodney Alford will get the majority of carries from the backfield and Brandon Fields will see some action. McCray has multiple options to threw the ball to which includes wide receivers Davarius Bargnare, Michael Fox, Devon Buckhanon, Trey Schyck, Jacquez Jones and Alford.