Class 3

2022 FHSAA Football State Championships 3 S

Tonight’s area quarterfinal matchups

No. 5 River Ridge (5-4) at No. 4 Ocala Vanguard (7-3), 7:30

The Royal Knights emerged from a three-way tie as the champion in Class 3, District 6.

After starting 1-3, River Ridge put everything together, winning five of its final six games in the regular season.

A big reason for the turnaround was the play of the Royal Knights’ defense, which post two shutouts and allowed a combined 40 points in those five wins.

The key for River Ridge is stopping the Knights’ dual threat quarterback Fred Gaskin, who leads the team in passing yards (1,362) and rushing yards (524).

Gaskin also helped Vanguard finish the regular season on a four-game winning streak, including three victories by double digits.

Stat leaders

Category	River Ridge	Ocala Vanguard
Passing yards	Logan Howard, 1,251 (14 TDs)	Fred Gaskin, 1,362 (17 TDs)
Rushing yards	Sam Cheek, 448 (2 TDs)	Fred Gaskin, 524 (5 TDs)
Receiving yards	Sam Cheek, 414 (7 TDs)	Joshua Rembert, 359 (5 TDs)
Tackles	Tyler Jensen, 92	Tre Stokes, 58
Sacks	Three tied with four.	Riley Smith, 9
Interceptions	Braden Cook, 4	Six tied with one.

No. 6 Gulf at No. 3 Zephyrhills, 7:30

The Buccaneers, who nearly won their first district title, made the playoffs for the first time since 2014 thanks to an at-large berth.

In the past two years, Gulf has gone through a remarkable transformation.

From 2018-21, the Buccaneers had lost 29 straight games. Since then, they have gone 10-6.

After starting this season 0-2, Gulf won seven its last eight games, including six by double digits.

The Bulldogs, who went 19-5 the past two seasons, knew they were capable of making a deep playoff run.

To prepare, Zephyrhills put together a challenging schedule.

That paid off.

Last month, the Bulldogs nearly beat undefeated South Sumter. Since that 23-20 loss, Zephyrhills has been dominant, winning four straight games, all by 12 or more points.

Stat leaders

Category	Gulf	Zephyrhills
Passing yards	Ethan Holewski, 1,925 (22 TDs)	Brendyn Colella, 1,183 (15 TDs)
Rushing yards	Antonio Muniz, 801 (12 TDs)	Rodney Smith, 873 (12 TDs)
Receiving yards	Antonio Muniz, 484 (4 TDs)	DJ Pickett, 623 (8 TDs)
Tackles	Ali Pasileo, 56	Marcell Tucker, 71
Sacks	Two tied with seven.	Four tied with two.
Interceptions	Alejandro Robles, 2	DJ Pickett, 4