2019 FHSAA Football Title Recap

     South Florida high schools showed their dominance in 2019 as they captured seven FHSAA state championships in the eight classifications. It was giant increase for South Florida where they won three state titles in 2018. It was the best performance by high schools from South Florida in the FHSAA playoffs since 2013 when they won six state titles.
     The eight FHSAA championship games were held in two different locations for the first time since 2005 when it was split between Dolphin Stadium and FIU Stadium in Miami. Small school classifications from Class 3A to Class 1A were held at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee. Large school classifications from Class 8A to Class 4A were played the following weekend at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach.
     Two Broward County schools ended up winning state championships this year. St. Thomas Aquinas won their first Class 7A state title since 2016 with a 28-23 victory over Edgewater. The Raiders captured their fourth state title in six seasons, eighth title in the last 13 years and tied a Florida high school state record with their 11th overall championship.
     Chaminade-Madonna picked up their third consecutive Class 3A state title. The Lions were able to defeat Florida State University High 35-20. Running back Thaddius Franklin set FHSAA state championship game records of 47 carries for 333 rushing yards.
     Five Dade County schools swept their way to state titles. Columbus captured their first state title in school history as they topped Apopka 21-20 in the Class 8A state title game. The Explorers, who were a state finalist in 2018, won the contest with eight seconds left when wide receiver Jahvar McSween caught a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Brandon McDuffey.
     Miami Central returned to the top of Class 6A as they outscored Escambia 62-27. The Rockets had a state championship game record 498 rushing yards for their first state title since 2015.
     Miami Northwestern joined Class 5A in 2019 and defeated Jones 34-17 to captured their third straight state championship and seventh overall. The Bulls won the Class 6A state title game in 2017 and 2018.
     Booker T. Washington got by Bolles 25-21 for their first Class 4A state title since 2015. It was the sixth overall state title for the Tornadoes.
     Champagnat Catholic bounced back with the Class 2A state title as they topped Victory Christian Academy 35-14. It was their second state championship in the last three years.