Class 2A State Championship Game Preview
PUBLISHED
Wed, Dec 7, 2016 9:39 PM
The Jacksonville University Christian Fighting Christians will be seeking to repeat as FHSAA Class 2A state champions on Friday morning.
University Christian(9-2) will be looking to win their ninth FHSAA state championship in their 11th appearance in a state final. The Fighting Christians opened the 2016 FHSAA Class 2A playoffs with a 42-6 home victory over Tallahassee FAMU high, followed that up with another home victory, 32-14 over Tallahasssee North Florida Christian, and they went on the road last week and dominated Lakeland Victory Christian claiming a 43-13 win.
Offensively, the Fighting Christians will rely on senior running back Otis Anderson Jr., he has rushed for 1,198 yards and scored 17 touchdowns! He also has caught 19 passes for 253 yards and three additional scores. Versatile senior D.J. Stubbs has contributed 474 yards rushing, 307 yards receiving, 262 yards passing, and has been responsible for 12 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Clay Boyd has added 477 rushing yards, 1,142 yards passing and is responsible for 21 total touchdowns. When Boyd drops back to pass, he will look for Stubbs and T.J. Ciresi(22 catches 353 yards 6 tds) to be on the receiving end of his passes.
On defense, University Christian is led by three seniors on the front seven. Leon Harvey has made 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four interceptions from his outside linebacker position. He will team up with fellow linebacker Kelvin Perry(9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks) and defensive end James Sasser(6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) to pace the defense.
The Hialeah Champagnat Catholic Lions will be the school that will try to stop University Christian from repeating as FHSAA Class 2A state champions.
Champagnat Catholic(10-1) will be making their second appearance in a FHSAA state championhip game. They won the Class 2A in 2013 with a 14-7 win over Lakeland Victory Christian. The Lions march to the FHSAA Class 2A state championship game started with a 34-31 win over Community School of Naples. They continued with a 13-0 blanking of Naples First Baptist, and last week, they defeated St. Petersburg Northside Chrsitian 14-3.
On offense, three different running backs handle the running game for Champagnat Catholic. Freshman Calvin Montgomery(621 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns) leads the way, he'll be spelled by sophomore Daryn Johnson(515 yards, 4tds) and senior Isaiah Sharpe(331 yards, 3tds). Sophomore quarterback Kervin Dessources has passed for 1,510 yards and 18 touchdowns and he has a quartet of receivers with at least 24 receptions to distribute the ball to. The main target, junior Gregory Rousseau, is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs. The 6'6" 210 pounder has snagged 25 receptions for 407 yards and 9 touchdowns. Freshmen Johnquai Lewis(24 catches 455 yards 2 touchdowns) and Marc Britt(26 catches 313 yards 3tds) are also viable targets, as well as junior Jahani Wright(28 catches 331 yards 3tds).
When the Li0ns are on defense, junior linebacker Donovan Georges leads a stout unit. Georges has accumilated 129 tackles and 13 sacks so far this season. Junior linebacker Tyrik Robinson added 123 tackles and 9 sacks. Freshman defensive end Jesus Machado contributed 98 tackles and 19 sacks to pace the front seven and sophomore linebacker Donald Georges chipped in 78 tackles and 3 sacks. Senior Jordan Coley also added three interceptions from his defensive back position.