Class 2M

2022 FHSAA Football State Championships 2 M

Friday’s area quarterfinal matchups

No. 8 King (3-7) at No. 1 Tampa Catholic (8-1), 7

The Lions are in the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Better still, they enter the postseason as a district champion after winning their first title in 41 years.

King did it by rebounding from an 0-5 start to win three of its last five games in the regular season.

Now comes the hard part.

To keep this dream season going, the Lions have to get past the host Crusaders.

Tampa Catholic, the top seed in the region, has plenty of confidence after ending its 22-year losing streak to rival Jesuit in last week’s regular season finale. That extended the Crusaders’ current win streak to seven games.

The key will be whether King’s defense, which has allowed an average of 25 points per game, can slow down Tampa Catholic’s high-octane attack that is averaging 35 points per game.

Stat leaders

Category	King	Tampa Catholic
Passing yards	Daivon Kindred, 207 (1 TD)	Trey Hedden, 1,321 (18 TDs)
Rushing yards	Kyle Stewart, 448 (2 TDs)	Lewis Carter, 555 (13 TDs)
Receiving yards	Donald Walker, 150 (0 TDs)	TJ Moore, 725 (8 TDs)
Tackles	Gabriel Morrell, 70	Lewis Carter, 85
Sacks	Koveyontez Balentine, 8	Jeremy Patterson, 11
Interceptions	Joshua Lester, 3	Two tied with two.

No. 7 Blake (7-3) at No. 2 Calvary Christian (8-2), 7

The Yellow Jackets’ seven wins this season are the most for the program since 1970. And they made the playoffs for the first time since winning a state title in 1969 under legendary coach Abe Brown.

But after starting 6-1, Blake is trying enters the postseason trying to rebound after losing two of its past three games.

Getting back on track could be tough against the host Warriors, who won their first district title this season.

Calvary Christian is on a four-game win streak, including a victory over defending state finalist and previously undefeated Lakeland Christian.

On offense, the Warriors have been efficient, scoring 30 or more points in all but one game this season.

Stat leaders

Category	Blake	Calvary Christian
Passing yards	Henry Kanu, 666 (11 TDs)	Jacob Drackett, 2,082 (27 TDs)
Rushing yards	Deshawn Neal, 704 (9 TDs)	Sean Cuono, 1,354 (13 TDs)
Receiving yards	Michael Colbert, 192 (4 TDs)	Joshua Robinson, 695 (8 TDs)
Tackles	Javion Collins, 44	Callahan Blair, 101
Sacks	Two tied with six.	Callahan Blair, 8
Interceptions	Javion Collins, 3	Daylan Moore, 4

No. 6 Robinson (6-4) at No. 3 Berkeley Prep (7-3), 7

This is a rematch from last week’s regular season finale that the Buccaneers won 62-7.

In that game, Berkeley Prep went up 56-7 at the half. The Buccaneers ran for 362 yards and held the Knights to 151 yards on offense.

After reaching the state final for the first time last season, Berkeley Prep knew it go through some growing pains early on after graduating several key starters. Since starting 2-3, the Buccaneers have turned it on, winning five straight games.

The Knights are making their first playoff appearance since 2012.

But Robinson is trying to bounce after losing two of its past three games. The biggest task is getting its defense to clamp down after allowing a combined 132 points in the last two losses.

Stat leaders

Category	Robinson	Berkeley Prep
Passing yards	Eric Archield Jr., 1,595 (18 TDs)	Troy Reader, 505 (4 TDs)
Rushing yards	Allan Lewis, 632 (8 TDs)	Dallas Golden, 933 (12 TDs)
Receiving yards	Jeremiah Fernandez, 489 (4 TDs)	Damien Handerson, 152 (2 TDs)
Tackles	Devin Collado, 98	Brice Stevenson, 57
Sacks	Aydan Holloway, 3	Keon Keeley, 13
Interceptions	Allan Lewis, 2	Rico Garcia, 5

No. 5 Clearwater (4-6) at No. 4 Lakewood (6-4), 7

At the start of the season, many predicted this matchup could end up happening much deeper in the playoffs.

After all, the Tornadoes were coming off their first region final appearance and the Spartans were in the state semifinals a year ago.

But both have struggled to find consistency for lengthy periods throughout the season.

Last week, the Tornadoes snapped a three-game losing streak with a 48-13 win over Boca Ciega.

Despite having a losing record, Clearwater made the playoffs on the strength of its schedule, which included seven games against teams that made the playoffs.

Lakewood’s schedule also was filled with tough matchups. Those challenging contests paid off with the Spartans winning four of their last five games.

Stat leaders

Category	Clearwater	Lakewood
Passing yards	Trey Whirley, 756 (9 TDs)	Anthony Colandrea, 1,905 (14 TDs)
Rushing yards	Ti’lan McGee, 712 (9 TDs)	Tra’quan Johnson, 547 (4 TDs)
Receiving yards	Adam Alicea, 316 (5 TDs)	Aviyon Mack-Smith, 684 (4 TDs)
Tackles	Sir Jacob Thompson, 84	Jeremy Willoughby, 55
Sacks	Noel Brown, 7.5	Taveon Wheeler, 11
Interceptions	Three tied with two.	Gage Nix, 2