By: Ross Van De Griek
We are approaching 24 hours until the 2019 FHSAA Football State Championships kickoff in Tallahassee for the Class 1A-3A state finals taking place the next three days at Gene Cox Stadium.
On Thursday night, we will be kicking off our 2A Final between the Champagnat Catholic Lions (9-3) & the Victory Christian Storm (11-1) in a battle of #2 vs #1, regarding the state rankings, according to MaxPreps & many other media outlets.
How did Champagnat Catholic get here? Champagnat Catholic defeated Miami Christian 35-7 in the regional semifinals, defeated Moore Haven 42-0 in the regional finals & defeated Seffner Christian 30-21 in last week's state semifinals. Champagnat Catholic is led by 2nd year head coach Hector Clavijo who is in his second state championship game in as many seasons, finishing as the state runner-up last year. Clavijo holds a career coaching record of 18-9.
What players are there to watch for Champagnat Catholic? Senior wide receiver Johnquai Lewis who holds offers from Indiana, Kansas, UCF & others, senior running back Calvin Montgomery who holds offers from Charlotte, Utah, Utah State & others, senior defensive end Jesus Machado who holds offers from Alabama, Miami, Texas A&M & several others & junior wide receiver Malik Rutherford (Georgia Tech commit).
Champagnat Catholic is in the state championship for the fourth straight year overall, finishing runners-up in 2016 & winning it in 2017, under previous head coach Dennis Maroquin.
How did Victory Christian get here? Victory Christian defeated Orangewood Christian 33-7 in the regional semifinals, defeated Foundation Academy 35-0 in the regional finals & defeated University Christian 20-7 in last week's state semifinals. Victory Christian is led by third year head coach Kendrick Stewart & is in his first state championship game as a head coach. Stewart holds a career coaching record of 33-5.
What players are there to watch for Victory Christian? Junior running back Cornelius Shaw who holds offers from Kentucky, Nebraska, Southern Miss, Tulane, UCF, USF, West Virginia & several others, senior defensive back Caleb Poe who holds offers from Jacksonville University & Southern Miss & senior quarterback Jeremiah Byrd who holds offers from Albany State & Southern Miss.
Victory Christian is in their third state championship game overall & is seeking it's second state title in school history (2014). Victory Christian has reached the state semifinals for seven consecutive years, dating back to 2013.
Score Prediction: Champagnat Catholic 27, Victory Christian 20