The Columbus Explorers challenge the Apopka Blue Darters for the FHSAA Class 8A state championship on Friday night at Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach. It is a rematch of the 2014 Class 8A title game where the Blue Darters topped the Explorers 30-23.
Columbus(10-4), the 2018 Class 8A state finalist, are riding a six-game winning streak and hosted four playoff games at Tropical Park. The Explorers have outscored their last six opponents 218-91. They handled Coral Gables 50-14 in the regional quarterfinal, routed Miami 35-2 in the regional semifinal, defeated Weston 36-21 in the regional final and got by Deerfield Beach 28-21 in the state semifinal. Running back Henry Bryant Jr. will get the majority of carries from the backfield followed by Maykel Solis and Vershod Quinn. Quarterback Brandon McDuffey intends to find wide receivers Xzavier Henderson, Christopher Gilbert, Trynyty Conway, Jahvar McSween and Ken Moore on passing attempts. Fernando Mendoza can be used as a backup quarterback.
Apopka(12-1) has won eight straight games and compiled five shutouts this season. They have outscored their last eight opponents 253-64. The Blue Darters downed Flagler Palm Coast 42-25 in the regional quarterfinal, stopped Bartram Trail 34-13 in the regional semifinal, blanked Seminole 20-0 in the regional final and dropped Steinbrenner 41-15 in the state semifinal. Their offense is led by quarterback Jaquan Lowman. He can run with the ball and connect passes to wide receivers Jalen Williams, Jamarie Jackson and tight end Christian Bevelle. Their rushing attempts will be split between running backs Reshard Sibley, Curtis Spivey, Tramar Jackson, Akeem Brown and Eric Wright.
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