Class 3M
2022 FHSAA Football State Championships 3 M
Tonight’s area region quarterfinal matchups
Class 3
No. 8 St. Petersburg (7-3) at No. 1 Jesuit (6-4), 7:30
The Green Devils are in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
They went through a remarkable turnaround to reach the postseason, winning seven games, three more than in their previous three seasons combined.
St. Petersburg’s success is due in part to the playmaking ability of sophomore Jefferey Jones, who took over at quarterback this season and has accounted for 22 touchdowns (15 rushing, seven passing).
The defending state champion Tigers, despite going through some rough stretches, won a district title and earned the top seed in the region thanks to playing one of the area’s toughest schedules.
Jesuit has won four of its last six games, including a victory over defending state finalist Tampa Bay Tech. Both of the Tigers losses during that stretch were by a combined three points and were not decided until the final minute of regulation.
Stat leaders
| Category | St. Petersburg | Jesuit |
| Passing yards | Jefferey Jones, 755 (7 TDs) | Will Griffin, 979 (12 TDs) |
| Rushing yards | Jefferey Jones, 1,381 (15 TDs) | Joquez Smith, 1,070 (12 TDs) |
| Receiving yards | Keondrea Woodard-Broaddus, 255 (2 TDs) | Jarriett Buie Jt., 505 (5 TDs) |
| Tackles | Novian Smarwt, 76 | Cyrus Aboud, 86 |
| Sacks | Two tied with two. | Peter Pesansky, 13 |
| Interceptions | Evan Aikens, 4 | Two tied with two. |
No. 4 Gaither (6-4) at No. 5 Pinellas Park (6-4), 7:30
This game is a contrast in styles.
The Cowboys are a pass-happy bunch, led by quarterback Jayce Nixon and an array of talented receivers. In the past three games, they have scored a combined 141 points.
Their late season production was helped by the return of receiver Eugene Wilson III, a Florida commit who missed part of the season with an injury. In the last three games, he has a combined 16 catches for 432 yards and six touchdowns.
The Patriots, meanwhile, won a district title on the strength of a strong running game and a stingy defense.
Pinellas Park is allowing an average of 10 points per game. During their current three-game win streak, the Patriots have given up a combined 14 points.
Stat leaders
| Category | Gaither | Pinellas Park |
| Passing yards | Jayce Nixon, 2,801 (33 TDs) | Trey Deese, 267 (1 TD) |
| Rushing yards | Emmanuel Arango, 325 (2 TDs) | Isaiah Hampton, 756 (7 TDs) |
| Receiving yards | Ladainian Ferrell, 804 (6 TDs) | Eric Triplett, 408 (1 TD) |
| Tackles | Antonio Henley, 57 | Jerek Fields, 93 |
| Sacks | Antonio Henley, 14 | Jordan Snyder, 7 |
| Interceptions | Kamare Jones, 3 | Jovonee Smith, 5 |
No. 7 Northeast at No. 2 Largo, 7:30
This is a rematch of last week’s regular season finale that the Packers won 14-13.
That win helped Largo move up to the No. 2 seed in the region.
Expect another close, low-scoring game in the rematch.
After all, the last two meetings were decided by a combined eight points.
Though the Packers won last week, they have to do a better job of keeping Vikings receiver Cory Conklin in check. Conklin had nine catches for 162 yards and two touchdowns a week ago.
Stat leaders
| Category | Northeast | Largo |
| Passing yards | Evan Jacobson, 1,270 (12 TDs) | Jeremy Thomas, 1,228 (7 TDs) |
| Rushing yards | Mikale Washington, 334 (5 TDs) | Malachi Peterson, 886 (9 TDs) |
| Receiving yards | Cory Conklin, 572 (7 TDs) | Preston Church, 319 (1 TD) |
| Tackles | KJ Hutchinson, 87 | Adarius Hayes, 95 |
| Sacks | Derrick Brantley, 3 | Fotu Nafitali, 5 |
| Interceptions | Dashaun Reese, 3 | Marcus McCluster, 4 |
No. 6 Osceola at No. 3 East Bay, 7:30
The Warriors, who were independent the past two years, decided to return to district play this year.
It turned out to be the right move.
Osceola won its first district title since 1994.
The Indians, meanwhile, are in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Both teams are similar in styles. They each rely on a ball-control offense and an opportunistic defense.
And they have some momentum. The Warriors are on a four-game win streak, and East Bay finished the regular season with two straight wins.
Stat leaders
| Category | Osceola | East Bay |
| Passing yards | Owen Hinote, 712 (8 TDs) | Nathan Carter, 868 (12 TDs) |
| Rushing yards | Nathan Carter, 1,221 (10 TDs) | Jaelin Sneed, 913 (11 TDs) |
| Receiving yards | Nathaniel Gooden, 310 (3 TDs) | Aiden Showers, 419 (4 TDs) |
| Tackles | Elmmanual Brooks, 119 | Emanuel White, 60 |
| Sacks | Drake Saltarelli, 3 | Two tied with 2.5. |
| Interceptions | Elmmanual Brooks, 3 | Deanthony Caldwell, 3 |
 — Nov. 11){kind=link}