By: Ross Van De Griek
The 2019 FHSAA Football Class 1A Final will feature the Madison County Cowboys (11-2) & the Blountstown Tigers (13-0) on Saturday night at Gene Cox Stadium in Tallahassee.
Madison County (11-2) is back in the state championship for the third straight year & is seeking their third straight state title & fifth overall. How did Madison County get here? They defeated Hilliard 56-0 in the regional semifinals, defeated Union County 49-0 in the regional finals & defeated Pahokee 37-36 in last week's state semifinals.
Players to watch for Madison County: Senior offensive lineman Zane Herring (Florida State commit), senior offensive lineman Zac Coe (Valdosta State commit), senior running back Vinsonta Allen (Holds offer from Stetson), senior safety Chalon Howard (Georgia Southern commit) & junior running back Robert Hiers (1247 rushing yards, 12 rushing TD's)
Madison County is led by head coach Mike Coe who is in his 10th season, with a career record of 105-21 & is seeking his third state championship as a head coach.
Blountstown (13-0) is in the state championship game for the first time since 2017, where they lost to Madison County, 35-20. The Tigers are searching for their first title since 1977 & their fourth overall. How did Blountstown get here? They defeated Port St. Joe 34-0 in the regional semifinals, defeated Taylor County 27-21 in the regional finals & defeated Baker 21-13 in last week's state semifinals.
Players to watch for Blountstown: Senior running back Treven Smith has 1,585 rushing yards & has 17 rushing touchdowns this season, senior running back Alex Valdez has 734 rushing yards & 10 rushing touchdowns this season, senior linebacker Zeb Kelley has 135 total tackles this season & senior linebacker Brent McCrone has 103 total tackles this season.
Blountstown is led by second year head coach Beau Johnson who holds a record of 21-3 in his two seasons with the Tigers. Johnson, is seeking his first state title as a head coach for Blountstown after reaching the state semifinals in 2006, with Edmund Burke Academy in Georgia.
Score Prediction: Madison County 35, Blountstown 17