By: Ross Van De Griek
We have entered the final four across all eight high school football classifications across the state of Florida. As 11 teams remain across the Tampa Bay area, we will preview each state semifinal game across the Tampa Bay area & give you our predictions.
Class 2A- University Christian at Victory Christian, Friday @ 7pm
University Christian: Defeated Maclay, 35-28 in the Class 2A-1 Regional Final
Victory Christian: Defeated Foundation Academy, 35-0 in the Class 2A-2 Regional Final
University Christian: Seeking their first Class 2A Final appearance since 2017
Victory Christian: Seeking their first Class 2A Final appearance in school history
Prediction: University Christian 31, Victory Christian 24
Class 8A- Steinbrenner at Apopka, Friday @ 7:30pm
Steinbrenner: Defeated Osceola (Kissimmee) 29-22 in the Class 8A-2 Regional Final
Apopka: Defeated Seminole (Sanford) 20-0 in the Class 8A-1 Regional Final
Steinbrenner: Seeking their first ever state final appearance
Apopka: Seeking their first state final appearance since 2014 (Defeated Columbus, 30-23)
Prediction: Apopka 35, Steinbrenner 17
Class 7A- Venice at St. Thomas Aquinas- Friday @ 7:30pm
Venice: Defeated Manatee, 34-17 in the Class 7A-3 Regional Final
St. Thomas Aquinas: Defeated Atlantic, 26-0 in the Class 7A-4 Regional Final
Venice: Seeking their first state final appearance since 2017
St. Thomas Aquinas: Seeking their second consecutive state final appearance
Prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Venice 28
Class 6A- Gaither at Escambia, Friday @ 7:30pm (CT)
Gaither: Defeated Lake Minneola, 41-7 in the Class 6A-2 Regional Final
Escambia: Defeated Lee (Jacksonville), 39-13 in the Class 6A-1 Regional Final
Gaither: Seeking their first state final appearance in school history
Escambia: Seeking their first state final appearance since 1985 (Defeated Bradenton Southeast, 27-7)
Prediction: Escambia 21, Gaither 20
Class 4A- Booker T. Washington (Miami) at Lakewood, Friday @ 7:30pm
Booker T. Washington (Miami): Defeated Gulliver Prep, 34-31 in the Class 4A-4 Regional Final
Lakewood: Defeated Tampa Catholic, 29-7 in the Class 4A-3 Regional Final
Booker T. Washington: Seeking first state final appearance since 2012 (Defeated Bolles, 35-7)
Lakewood: Seeking first state final appearance in school history
Prediction: Lakewood 28, Booker T. Washington (Miami) 20
Class 3A- Clearwater Central Catholic at Chaminade-Madonna, Friday @ 7:30pm
Clearwater Central Catholic: Defeated Bishop Verot, 35-28 in the Class 3A-3 Regional Final
Chaminade-Madonna: Defeated Calvary Christian Academy, 35-0 in the Class 3A-4 Regional Final
Clearwater Central Catholic: Seeking their first state final appearance since 2013 (Lost to Trinity Christian Academy, 34-7)
Chaminade-Madonna: Seeking their third straight state championship game appearance (Won previous 2)
Prediction: Chaminade-Madonna 42, Clearwater Central Catholic 14
Class 3A- FSU High at Lakeland Christian, Friday @ 7:30pm
FSU High: Defeated Pensacola Catholic, 21-14 in the Class 3A-1 Regional Final
Lakeland Christian: Defeated The First Academy, 24-20 in the Class 3A-2 Regional Final
FSU High: Seeking their first state final appearance in school history
Lakeland Christian: In the state semifinals for the first time since 2014 (Lost to Trinity Christian Academy, 42-28)
Prediction: Lakeland Christian 34, FSU High 28
Class 2A- Seffner Christian at Champagnat Catholic, Friday @ 7:30pm
Seffner Christian: Defeated Admiral Farragut, 40-19 in the Class 2A-3 Regional Final
Champagnat Catholic: Defeated Moore Haven, 42-0 in the Class 2A-4 Regional Final
Seffner Christian: Seeking their first state final appearance in school history
Champagnat Catholic: Seeking their first state final appearance since 2017
Prediction: Champagnat Catholic 35, Seffner Christian 7
Class 7A- Edgewater at Armwood, Friday @ 7:30pm
Edgewater: Defeated Niceville, 28-20 in the Class 7A-1 Regional Final
Armwood: Defeated Lakeland, 23-10 in the Class 7A-2 Regional Final
Edgewater: Seeking their first state final appearance in school history
Armwood: Seeking their second consecutive state final appearance (Lost 22-0 to Miami Northwestern in 2018)
Prediction: Armwood 27, Edgewater 20
Class 5A- Jesuit at Miami Northwestern, Friday @ 7:30pm
Jesuit: Defeated Lake Wales, 53-21 in the Class 5A-3 Regional Final
Miami Northwestern: Defeated American Heritage (Plantation), 23-20 in the Class 5A-4 Regional Final
Jesuit: Seeking their first state final appearance since 1992 (Lost to Pasco, 28-16)
Miami Northwestern: Seeking their third straight state final appearance (1-1 record in previous 2. Both vs Armwood)
Prediction: Miami Northwestern 31, Jesuit 13