There was a familiar – and exhilarating – feel to the third round of the playoffs. Four of the five region finals involving area teams were rematches from either the regular season or last year’s postseason that all were decided in the final two minutes, including three on the final play. The second go-round between those teams were just as thrilling on Friday with all five local Metro Division games decided by six points or less.
Class 4
Region 2
Plant 20, Sumner 14
In the past two seasons, Plant is 3-0 at home in the playoffs, including a three-point win over Sumner in last year’s quarterfinals.
On Friday, the Panthers had to go on the road to face the Stingrays again. This time, the stakes were higher with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
Still, the result was the same.
Plant showed its resolve – and its ability to pull through on the road in the playoffs – by rallying to win and return to the state semifinals for the first time since 2017.
In the first half, the Stingrays’ scored twice on a pair of touchdown passes from Greg Smith III to Malik Brown to take a 14-9 lead.
No matter.
The Panthers methodically went on a time-consuming drive that was capped off by Chase Jarrett’s short touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion, for a 17-14 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Plant again went on a clock-chewing drive that ended with Camilo Nanfra’s second field goal – a 32-yarder – and a six-point lead.
The defense did the rest, holding off a late rally for the win.
Class 3
Region 1
Orlando Jones 24, Tampa Bay Tech 21
The Titans, who were trying to reach the state semifinals for the third time in the past four seasons, could not stage a big enough rally to advance in the third round.
Down 21-0 in the first quarter, Tampa Bay kept chipping away at the deficit until it was a one-possession game in the fourth quarter.
But the Titans’ final drive ended with an interception that prevented them from completing the comeback.
Region 2
Gaither 31, Jesuit 24 (OT)
A month ago, the Cowboys were 2-5 following an overtime loss to Jesuit that put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.
But the painful memories from that game served as a powerful motivator the rest of the season.
Since then, Gaither kept winning. And winning.
On Friday, the Cowboys faced the Tigers again in the region final.
Just like the first meeting, this one went into overtime.
Gaither made sure the outcome would not be the same. Quarterback Jayce Nixon ran for a touchdown in overtime and the Cowboys held Jesuit on downs for the win.
Down 24-10 in the second half, Gaither relied on the running of Elija Mason to get back into the game. He put the Cowboys in position to score on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Nixon to Darryon Williams to cut it to 24-17. Mason then tied it with his own score on a short run with 45 seconds left in regulation.
Will Griffin threw for two touchdowns and Justin Thurman ran for another for Jesuit, which had their nine-game win streak snapped and their five-year run of state semifinal appearances halted.
Class 2
Region 2
Berkeley Prep 31, Calvary Christian 27
For the second time in the past three seasons, the Buccaneers are headed to the state semifinals.
They did it by getting past the Warriors, who had won the past two meetings, including last year’s 29-28 overtime thriller in the region semifinals.
For much of the night, the teams traded scores – and the lead. Trailing 27-24 in the fourth quarter, Berkeley Prep scored with less than a minute remaining, then watched as Calvary Christian’s Hail Mary attempt fell short.
The running tandem of Dallas Golden and Joseph Troupe provided the bulk of the yards – and the points – for the Buccaneers.
Warriors quarterback Jacob Drackett threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more. The Air Force commit, who became the all-time leading passer in Pinellas County last week, tied the county record for touchdown passes in a season with 42.
Class 1
Region 2
Clearwater Central Catholic 45, Carrollwood Day 41
In September, the Marauders escaped with a 29-28 victory over the Patriots thanks to a failed two-point conversion at the end of the regulation.
That allowed Clearwater Central Catholic to remain undefeated and win the district final.
Friday’s rematch was another thriller that came down to the final seconds.
Once again, the Marauders came through in the clutch with Eduardo Cosenza hitting a 23-yard field goal in the final seven seconds for the win.
Jershaun Newton threw for two scores and ran for another. Keo Jenkins also added three touchdowns on the ground.
Jordan Magwood threw for four touchdown passes – two each to Bredell Richardson and Izaiah Williams. The dual-threat quarterback also ran for another score to lead the Patriots.
This week’s area state semifinal schedule
All games on Dec. 1
Class 4
No. 4 Plant (11-2) at No. 1 Miami Columbus (11-2), 7:30
Class 3
No. 4 Gaither (8-5) at No. 1 Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1), 7:30
Class 2
No. 3 Berkeley Prep (11-2) at No. 2 Plantation American Heritage (10-1), 7:30
Class 1
No. 3 Jacksonville Trinity Christian (9-3) at No. 2 Clearwater Central Catholic (13-0), 7:30
