Scattered Clouds
Class 7A State Championship Game Preview
PUBLISHED
Fri, Dec 11, 2015 4:18 PM
On October 9th, the Viera Hawks lost a 40-35 shootout to Melbourne Palm Bay on their home field. That defeat left Viera with a 3-4 record with three games remaining, two of which, were key district games. The Hawks have reeled off seven consecutive victories since that October evening and now get a chance to play for the school's first state football championship in their ten year existence.
The Viera offense relies heavily on the arm of senior signal caller Hayden Kingston, who has completed 66% of his passes for 3,520 yards, 38tds, and only 8 interceptions. Kingston also rushed for 237 yards and scored 5tds. His offensive line needs to make protecting him a priority, Kingston has been sacked 26 times so far this season. When he does have time to throw, he has a couple of nice targets in seniors Tre Nixon(63 rec 1,087 yds 13tds), the Class 7A player of the year and Alex Cabrera(56 rec 1,032 yds 15tds). Sophomore Quinton Richard stands 6-2, he snagged 35 catches for 380 yards and 3tds. Donovan Jackson is another option in the passing game. The junior had 30 catches for 310 yards and a touchdown.
When the Hawks run the ball, they will give it to 5-9 205 pound junior running back Brennen Deplanke. Deplanke has ran for 804 yards and nine scores this season. Senior Trevor Merritt may see action in the backfield too, he has 131 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
The strength of the Viera defense is it's defensive line, just ask Lake City Columbia standout quarterback Davin Schuck. Viera's line applied pressure to Schuck all night, which resulted in Schuck being sacked eight times and throwing four interceptions in the Class 7A semifinals last week. That defensive pressure helped lead the Hawks to a 42-23 victory. Viera's stout defensive line is led by 6-1 240 pound DE Marco Foreman. The junior recorded 95 tackles, 17tfl, and 12 sacks. Lining up opposite of Foreman is sophomore DE Miguel Rodriguez, who chipped in 70 tackles, 12tfl, and 11 sacks. Justin Harrison is also a major contributor on the defensive line, he's a junior DT that stands 6-1 270 pounds and added 79 tackles, 9tfl, with 8 sacks.
Sophomore LB Brandon Mays leads Viera in tackles with 140 and he also has 10 sacks. Zac Blanch is a 5-10 220 pound senior that has 63 tackles with six behind the line.Three senior DBs lead the Hawks' secondary. Ballhawk Jay Boyd has seven interceptions to go along with 90 tackles and he also averages 30 yards per punt return! Trevor Merritt intercepted two passes and averaged 50 yards per punt return! Malek Folston picked off four passes and contributed 32 yards on each punt return that he had.
The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are no stranger to state championship football games, this is St. Thomas Aquinas' 16th time playing for a state championship in the last 25 years! The perennial powerhouse has won eight titles in school history including last year's 31-0 shutout victory over Kissimmee Osceola in last year's Class 7A final.
St. Thomas Aquinas' offense is led by senior running back Jackson Kincaide, who has rushed for 1,201 yards and 10tds. James Charles, also a senior, has 590 yards rushing and nine scores. Sophomore Sam Llewellyn is a third option at running back and he's contributed 195 yards on the ground and four touchdowns.
When the Raiders take to the air, it will be junior quarterback Jake Allen leading the way. Allen has thrown for 1,539 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will be throwing to senior Sam Bruce(366 yards receiving 175 yards rushing), senior Dominic Thieman(483 yards receiving), senior Michael Irvin(258 yards receiving), and junior Trevon Grimes(426 yards receiving).
Defensively, St. Thomas Aquinas is led by their defensive backs. Senior Alvin Davis(42 tackles), senior Frank Coppet(42 tackles and 3ints), and sophomore Asante Samuel(4 ints) make up an elite secondary.
The Raiders also have a solid linebacking unit. Junior Tyler Dunning has 43 tackles and 11tfl. Sophomore linebackers Nickolas Bonitto(39 tackles 13.5tfl 6 sacks) and Darrell Shelton(35 tackles 4.5tfl 2 sacks) are solid starters as well.
PREDICTION: FORT LAUDERDALE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS 28 VIERA HAWKS 14
The Viera offense relies heavily on the arm of senior signal caller Hayden Kingston, who has completed 66% of his passes for 3,520 yards, 38tds, and only 8 interceptions. Kingston also rushed for 237 yards and scored 5tds. His offensive line needs to make protecting him a priority, Kingston has been sacked 26 times so far this season. When he does have time to throw, he has a couple of nice targets in seniors Tre Nixon(63 rec 1,087 yds 13tds), the Class 7A player of the year and Alex Cabrera(56 rec 1,032 yds 15tds). Sophomore Quinton Richard stands 6-2, he snagged 35 catches for 380 yards and 3tds. Donovan Jackson is another option in the passing game. The junior had 30 catches for 310 yards and a touchdown.
When the Hawks run the ball, they will give it to 5-9 205 pound junior running back Brennen Deplanke. Deplanke has ran for 804 yards and nine scores this season. Senior Trevor Merritt may see action in the backfield too, he has 131 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
The strength of the Viera defense is it's defensive line, just ask Lake City Columbia standout quarterback Davin Schuck. Viera's line applied pressure to Schuck all night, which resulted in Schuck being sacked eight times and throwing four interceptions in the Class 7A semifinals last week. That defensive pressure helped lead the Hawks to a 42-23 victory. Viera's stout defensive line is led by 6-1 240 pound DE Marco Foreman. The junior recorded 95 tackles, 17tfl, and 12 sacks. Lining up opposite of Foreman is sophomore DE Miguel Rodriguez, who chipped in 70 tackles, 12tfl, and 11 sacks. Justin Harrison is also a major contributor on the defensive line, he's a junior DT that stands 6-1 270 pounds and added 79 tackles, 9tfl, with 8 sacks.
Sophomore LB Brandon Mays leads Viera in tackles with 140 and he also has 10 sacks. Zac Blanch is a 5-10 220 pound senior that has 63 tackles with six behind the line.Three senior DBs lead the Hawks' secondary. Ballhawk Jay Boyd has seven interceptions to go along with 90 tackles and he also averages 30 yards per punt return! Trevor Merritt intercepted two passes and averaged 50 yards per punt return! Malek Folston picked off four passes and contributed 32 yards on each punt return that he had.
The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders are no stranger to state championship football games, this is St. Thomas Aquinas' 16th time playing for a state championship in the last 25 years! The perennial powerhouse has won eight titles in school history including last year's 31-0 shutout victory over Kissimmee Osceola in last year's Class 7A final.
St. Thomas Aquinas' offense is led by senior running back Jackson Kincaide, who has rushed for 1,201 yards and 10tds. James Charles, also a senior, has 590 yards rushing and nine scores. Sophomore Sam Llewellyn is a third option at running back and he's contributed 195 yards on the ground and four touchdowns.
When the Raiders take to the air, it will be junior quarterback Jake Allen leading the way. Allen has thrown for 1,539 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will be throwing to senior Sam Bruce(366 yards receiving 175 yards rushing), senior Dominic Thieman(483 yards receiving), senior Michael Irvin(258 yards receiving), and junior Trevon Grimes(426 yards receiving).
Defensively, St. Thomas Aquinas is led by their defensive backs. Senior Alvin Davis(42 tackles), senior Frank Coppet(42 tackles and 3ints), and sophomore Asante Samuel(4 ints) make up an elite secondary.
The Raiders also have a solid linebacking unit. Junior Tyler Dunning has 43 tackles and 11tfl. Sophomore linebackers Nickolas Bonitto(39 tackles 13.5tfl 6 sacks) and Darrell Shelton(35 tackles 4.5tfl 2 sacks) are solid starters as well.
PREDICTION: FORT LAUDERDALE ST. THOMAS AQUINAS RAIDERS 28 VIERA HAWKS 14
