8 high school football teams compete for state titles this weekend in Tallahassee

Jack Williams, Tallahassee Democrat
·3 min read

It's once again that time of the year as small school football teams from around the state travel to the Big Bend in quest of state titles.

For the 12th year, Tallahassee will be hosting FHSAA football state championships at Gene Cox Stadium, welcoming teams from Rural 1, Suburban 1, Metropolitan 1, and Suburban 2 classifications.

The action starts Thursday night as Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna meets Clearwater Central Catholic for the 1M state title at 7 p.m. The Lions are 12-0 and are defending state champions, defeating Miami True North Classical Academy, 56-0, in state semifinals.

The Marauders are 12-1, defeating Jacksonville University Christian, 34-29, in state semifinals. Clearwater Central Catholic has never won a state championship, with its last appearance coming in the 2013 3A title game, when it lost to Jacksonville Trinity Christian.

Friday night as a hometown flair as Florida High looks for its first state championship against Cocoa at 7 p.m. The Seminoles are 14-0, the best record in program history. They defeated Fort Myers Bishop Verot, 38-28 in last week's semifinals. Cocoa (10-3) has won four state titles and was in the 4A state championship game last season.

Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. in the 1S championship game. Two top seeds face off as the home team, Naples First Baptist, plays Ocala Trinity Catholic. The Lions (9-2) are looking for their first state championship and making their first title game appearance, coming off a 28-7 win over Quincy Munroe.

Trinity Christian players congratulate Champagnat players on a good game before celebrating their victory. Trinity Christian defeated Champagnat 41-23 to claim the Class 2A State Championship title at Gene Cox on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.
Trinity Christian players congratulate Champagnat players on a good game before celebrating their victory. Trinity Christian defeated Champagnat 41-23 to claim the Class 2A State Championship title at Gene Cox on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.

The Celtics, owners of two state championships and making their first appearance since 2010, are 9-2 on the year, coming off a 22-10 win over Fort Pierce John Carroll Catholic.

The 7 p.m. game is for the Rural championship game between Hawthorne and Bratt Northview. The Hornets are the top seed in 1R and are looking to avenge last season's 1A championship game loss to Madison County. Hawthorne defeated Blountstown, 28-0, and is undefeated on the year.

Bratt Northview is making its first championship game appearance since 2012 when it won the program's only state title. The Chiefs are also perfect on the season at 13-0, defeating Lake Butler Union County 21-11 in state semifinals.

All game tickets will be sold via GoFan. Advance purchase game tickets are $14, and jump to $17 the day of the game. A $2 parking cost is already included in the ticket. Parking is on a first come first serve basis.

Gene Cox Stadium is located at 601 Paul Russell Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32301, right next to the Leon County Fairgrounds.

If you can't make it to the game, Spectrum will be live streaming each game. You can also follow Tallahassee Democrat prep sports reporter Jack Williams (@jackgwilliams), Tallahassee Democrat FAMU athletics reporter Gerald Thomas III (@3peatgee), and Gainesville Sun prep sports reporter Ainslie Lee (@AinsliesTwoBits) on Twitter for coverage of the games.

Spectrum live stream links

Thursday at 7 p.m. - 1M: Chaminade-Madonna vs. Clearwater Central Catholic

Friday at 7 p.m. - 2S: Florida High vs. Cocoa

Saturday at 1 p.m. 1S: First Baptist vs. Trinity Catholic

Saturday at 7 p.m. 1R: Hawthorne vs. Northview

Jack Williams covers prep sports for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams. 

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 8 high school football teams compete for state titles this weekend in Tallahassee