High School Football: Preview of Friday's Pensacola-area regional semifinal games
Five Pensacola-area teams remain alive in their quests for the ultimate prize
The Florida High School Athletic Association postseason continues Friday as the five-week journey to crown state champions rolls into mid-November.
Of the five area teams playing this week, three will play from home. Here's a preview of the five regional semifinal games involving local teams.
High school football: FHSAA Class 3S state tournament playoff preview
More: FHSAA Class 2S state tournament playoff preview
Region 1-3S
No. 5 Choctaw (6-5) at No. 1 Pine Forest (10-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Lon R. Wise Stadium
RPI ranking: Choctaw (6.071) - fifth in Region 1-3S, 18th in Class 3S, 157th in overall; Pine Forest (17.320) - first in Region 1-3S, first in Class 3S, 11th overall
Key players: Choctaw - Cole Tabb (RB, Jr..), Jesse Winslette (QB, Jr.), Jayce Brown (WR, Sr.), David Pettway (DL, Sr.); Pine Forest - T.J. Wilson (QB, Sr.), Elijah Douglas (DL, Sr.), Donielle Hayes (WR, Sr.), Jonathan Daniels (OL, Jr.), Tyrese Thomas (DB, Sr.) Cam Kelly (DB, Sr.), Miequle Brock (RB, Jr.), Lamartaz Odoms (LB, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Choctaw - 42-35 win at St. Augustine; Pine Forest - 35-15 win vs. Rickards
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2022 - Pine Forest 28, Choctaw 7
The skinny: This is the only rematch of the five area games. The Eagles defeated the Indians 28-7 in their district opener on Sept. 16. In that Week 4 contest, Pine Forest limited junior running back Cole Tabb to 67 yards on 21 carries.
“We did a decent job against him last time. But he could’ve been banged up, I’m not sure,” Eagles head coach Ronnie Douglas said. “I don’t know if you can totally slow him down, he’s such a great back. We have to execute our assignment, which is doing what you’ve been taught to do. If you do that and are at the right spot at the right time, hopefully you are in position to make the tackle.”
It’s the only time Tabb has been held under 100 yards on the ground in a game this season. The junior running back totaled 635 rushing yards and nine touchdowns over his last two contests.
Like its star running back, Choctaw has been on fire as of late. The team has scored at least 42 points in its last four games, all of which were wins.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pine Forest 40, Choctaw 14
No. 3 Columbia (7-3) at No. 2 Escambia (8-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Emmitt Smith Field
RPI ranking: Columbia (7.897) - third in Region 1-3S, 14th in Class 3S, 114th in overall; Escambia (9.025) - second in Region 1-3S, 12th in Class 3S, 98th overall
Key players: Columbia - Tyler Jefferson (QB, Sr.), Jaden Robinson (LB, Sr.), Amare Ferrell (DB, Sr.), Camden Frier (WR, Jr.), Tony Fulton (RB, Sr.); Escambia - Ammiel Steele (QB, Sr.), Akeem Stokes (WR, Sr.), Trevion Killette (ATH, Jr.), Alfred Washington (OL, Sr.), Lejon Williams (LB, Jr.), Tadarius Wright (ATH, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Columbia - 29-6 win vs. Lincoln; Escambia - 42-18 win vs. Middleburg
Last meeting: Sept. 23, 2016 - Columbia 40, Escambia 20
The skinny: Each team has reached the regional semifinals after rebounding from 0-2 starts. Sitting with a 2-3 record midway through the season, the Bulldogs have won their last five games, four of which were from home. Now, Columbia must travel 300 miles to face the Gators.
“The good thing is that we’ll be at home,” Escambia head coach Mike Bennett said. “It’s always good when you don’t have to travel or sleep at a hotel and you get to sleep in your own bed.”
Each of Columbia’s three losses have come on the road while the Gators are 5-1 at Emmitt Smith Field. Last week, Escambia cruised to a 42-18 home win against Middleburg. However, en route to the victory, the team did fumble twice. That needs to be cleaned up against a Columbia defense that lives off takeaways.
Led by Florida commit Jaden Robinson and Indiana commit Amare Ferrell, the Bulldogs have collected 17 interceptions in 10 games. That mark includes an interception return touchdown from junior defensive back Kani Fulton during the team’s 29-6 win over Lincoln last week. In that game, Robinson had two fumble recoveries.
“We got to play turnover-free football,” Bennett said. “We fumbled twice last week, so we can’t fumble the football. We haven’t fumbled much this year, so that’s been a good thing. We just have to take care of the football, play good defense and execute on offense. That’s the key to it.”
Special teams may play a factor as well. The Gators received special teams scores from Ladarian Clardy and Trevion Killette last week.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Escambia 21, Columbia 14
Related: FHSAA Class 1R state tournament playoff preview
Region 1-2S
No. 3 West Florida (8-2) at No. 2 Suwannee (9-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. CST Friday
Where: Paul Langford Stadium
RPI ranking: West Florida (12.345) - third in Region 1-2S, fifth in Class 3S, 44th in overall; Suwannee (12.393) - second in Region 1-2S, fourth in Class 3S, 42nd overall
Key players: West Florida - Markell Redding (ATH, Sr.), Ahmarion Moultrie (LB, Sr.), Oneal Daniels (DL, Sr.), Zeyvian Avery (OLB/DE, Sr.), Marquez Jones (RB, Jr.); Suwannee - Javarion Smith (ATH, Sr.), Marquavious Owens (RB, Jr.), Bronsen Tillotson (QB, Sr.), Blake Wynn (OL/DL, Sr.), Michael Rossin (ATH, So.)
Last week’s results: West Florida - 35-0 win vs. Bay; Suwannee - 39-15 win vs. Walton
Last meeting: N/A
The skinny: According to RPI rankings, the Jaguars and Bulldogs couldn’t be much closer. Suwannee (12.393) was awarded home field for this round by virtue of passing West Florida (12.345) in the final week of the regular season. But regardless if the game is at home or on the road, the Jags know they have a tough fight on their hands.
“I think the big thing is because the rankings are so close, it shows that we have a formidable opponent that’s a lot like we are,” West Florida head coach Harry Lees said. “It should be a good matchup.”
Like the Jaguars, Suwannee started the season at 2-2 and have been unbeaten since. The key to its success has been a defense that hasn’t allowed any opponent to score more than 18 points in a game this season. Last week, the Bulldogs held a Walton team 20 points below its season average. Junior defensive back Kodi Lang leads the team with 89 tackles.
Given how well that defense has played, West Florida can’t play itself out of manageable downs.
“All we are trying to do is move the clock, move the sticks and try and get the next first down,” Lees said. “When an opportunity presents itself and it’s wide open, take a shot, but really we want to stay within the game plan. Not to pull back the reins, but we’re just trying to execute and be efficient to make sure our defense is put in good situations where we can have success. That’s been the game plan since our two losses and it’s worked out.”
As dominant as the defense has been, don’t dismiss Suwannee’s offensive weapons. Senior quarterback Bronsen Tillotsen has thrown for 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns, with more than half of his production going to Javarion Smith. The senior athlete has 47 catches for 913 yards and 11 scores. Additionally, junior running back Marquavious Owens has put up 1,026 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): West Florida 14, Suwannee 10
Region 1-2S
No. 4 Pensacola Catholic (10-1) at No. 1 Florida State University High School (11-0)
When: 6:30 p.m. CST Friday
Where: Gene Cox Stadium
RPI ranking: Pensacola Catholic (11.754) - fourth in Region 1-2S, eighth in Class 2S, 55th in overall; Florida High (15.742) - first in Region 1-2S, first in Class 1S, 18tg overall
Key players: Ja’Bril Rawls (DB, Sr.), Koby Howard (WR, So.), Tim Gulley (DL, Sr.), Jayvion Showers (WR, Jr.), Zack DeJesus (LB, Sr.), Aidan Byrd (QB, Sr.), Demontrae Gaston (ATH, Jr.), C.J. Nettles (RB, So.); Florida High - Donovan Barnes (DB, Sr.), Chris Cotton (ATH, Sr.), Ryan Knight (LB, Sr.), Jeremy Johnston (QB, Jr.), Micahi Danzy (RB, Jr.), Brooks Hickman (WR, Sr.)
Last week’s results: West Florida - 35-0 win vs. Bay; Suwannee - 39-15 win vs. Walton
Last meeting: Nov. 20, 2020 - Florida High 34, Pensacola Catholic 27
The skinny: Catholic looks to get the monkey off its back.
Florida High has eliminated the Crusaders from the postseason for three straight years from 2018-2020. Those three games were decided by one score. As much as revenge is on the mind of some, the team’s larger aim is towards advancing to its first region final since 2019.
“I think the kids are just focused and they want to keep playing,” Crusaders head coach Matt Adams said. “They know how important each week and each practice is right now. So the preparation has been good and they have a good understanding of the game plan. We know we have to get on the road, we know it’s going to be cold and we know it’s going to be a tough matchup, but we’ll be ready for it.”
With a 11-0 record, the Seminoles aren’t just top seed in Region 1-2S, but they are the top-ranked team in all of Class 2S. Outscoring opponents by a 3-1 margin, Florida High has won nine of its 11 games by double figures.
According to Adams, the Seminoles defensive backfield features loads of speed while their front seven is aggressive, led by Ryan Knight. The senior linebacker has a team-high 10 sacks.
Offensively, Florida High presents a number of different looks to showcase a number of different playmakers. Junior quarterback Jeremy Johnston has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,847 yards and 19 touchdowns. His favorite targets are senior Brooks Hickman (47 rec, 615 yds, 6 TDs) and Ashton Hampton (24 rec, 458 yds, 6 TDs).
Meanwhile, junior Micahi Danzy (1,145 rush yds, 10.3 yds/att, 13 TDs) and senior Rhyder Poppell (721 rush yds, 9.7 yds/att, 10 TDs) lead the Seminoles on the ground.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Pensacola Catholic 35, Florida High 31
Region 1-1R
No. 5 Holmes County (7-4) at No. 1 Northview (10-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Tommy Weaver Memorial Football Stadium
RPI ranking: Holmes County (-0.812) - fifth in Region 1-1R, 21st in Class 1R, 296th overall; Northview (11.538) - first in Region 1-1R, third in Class 1R, 60th overall
Key players: Holmes County - Landon Lumpkin (QB, Jr.), Jameson Bacon (WR, Jr.), Chris Meredith (RB, Sr.), Hunter Duncan (DB, Sr.), Kevin Belser (RB, Sr.); Northview - Jamarkus Jefferson (RB/LB, Sr.), John Michael Ward (OL/DL, Sr.), Kaden Odom (QB/CB, Sr.), Luke Bridges (RB/SS, Sr.), Aidan Broadhead, (WR/DB, Sr.)
Last week’s results: Holmes County - 49-20 win vs. Freeport; Northview - First-round bye
Last meeting: Sept. 25, 2020 - Northview 39, Holmes County 6
The skinny: With a first-round bye in their rear-view mirror, the Chiefs don’t intend on sleep-walking through their first taste of playoff football this season. According to head coach Wes Summerford, Northview isn’t taking the region’s top seed for granted.
“The one thing I’ll say about our kids is that they’ve come hungry to practice every day,” Summerford said. “They’ve been very humble and that’s a sign of good senior leadership.”
The Chiefs also aren’t overlooking Holmes County, a team that does not have a win against an opponent with a winning record. The Blue Devils’ seven victories were versus opponents that had a combined record of 17-49. Meanwhile, three of their four losses came against undefeated teams.
However, Holmes County has avenged one of its four losses. After falling to Freeport in the regular season, the Blue Devils demolished the Bulldogs 49-20 in a regional quarterfinal last week. Landon Lumpkin accounted for 322 yards of total offense and five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing).
The junior quarterback is the team’s leading passer and rusher this season, recording 32 touchdowns out of the option offense.
Patrick’s prediction (sure to be wrong): Northview 42, Holmes County 14
Patrick's prediction record through the regular season: 76-18
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: 5 Pensacola high school football teams continue playoff journey
