Broken Clouds
CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEW
PUBLISHED
Thu, Dec 6, 2018 5:22 AM
The Madison County Cowboys will playing on a FHSAA state championship game for the ninth time and are seeking to repeat as champions. Madison hoisted the trophy last season when they defeated Blountstown 35-20 to win the Class 1A state championship.
The Cowboys enter the Class 1A final with a 12-1 record. After receiving a bye week to open the playoffs, Madison smashed Mayo Lafayette County 50-20, routed Chiefland 49-14, and blanked previously unbeaten Hawthorne 24-0 in the Class 1A semifinals last week.
Offensively, Madison relies on their ground game and it is led by junior Vinsonta Allen. Allen has rushed for 1,440 yards and 13 scores. He also has 11 catches for 258 yards with 3 resulting in touchdowns and even scored 3 additional times on punt returns. Sophomore Robert Hiers contributed 891 yards rushing with 8 scores as well. Senior quarterback Travis Jay added 936 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Jay also threw for 1,255 yards and 13 additional scores. When Madison passes, Jay will look to junior Derrion Staten, 26 catches for 596 yards with 6 touchdowns and senior Daquarius Thompkins, 10 catches for 246 yards along with 4 scores.
When the Cowboys are on defense, senior linebacker Melvin Brown will lead the charge. Brown has amassed 117 tackles, 14.5 tackles 14.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Big defensive tackle Terray Jones, a 6'1 280 pound senior added 77 tackles with 19 behind the line of scrimmage and eight sacks. Senior Patrick Hampton tallied 78 tackles including 25 for a loss and 12 sacks. Junior Jarod Johnson chipped in 72 tackles with 13 behind the line. Senior Devin Norwood contributed 48 tackles with 12.5 for a loss and six sacks. Junior Chalon Howard had 61 tackles.
The Baker Gators are making the seventh appearance in a state championship game. The Gators were defeated 34-21 by Pahokee in the 2016 Class 1A final which was their last appearance in a state final. They have won four state championships with the last one coming in 1993 when Baker defeated Fort Meade 27-6 to win the Class 2A state championship.
The Gators enter the Class 1A final with a 13-0 record. Baker defeated Freeport 49-21 in the opening round, dominated Bratt Northview 38-14 in round two, trounced Vernon 51-19 in the regional final, and pounded Port St. Joe 48-27 in the state semifinals last week.
Baker senior running back Junior McLaughlin is the bell cow on offense, he has rushed for 2,859 yards and 36 touchdowns. McLaughlin also has two scores on punt returns and a receiving touchdown. Senior Derek Peoples Jr added 514 yards rushing, 267 yards receiving, and nine scores.
Sophomore Joe Brunson leads the Gators defensively, he notched 88 tackles with 18 for a loss and eight sacks. Junior Trey Kolmetz added 94 tackles with six in the opposing backfield. The senior trio of Kenneth Williams (79 tackles), Payton Rockwell (65 tackles 11 tfl), and Shawn McLeod (54 tackles 12 tfl 5 sacks) are key contributors as well. Peoples Jr intercepted five passes and returned a fumble for a score.
The Cowboys enter the Class 1A final with a 12-1 record. After receiving a bye week to open the playoffs, Madison smashed Mayo Lafayette County 50-20, routed Chiefland 49-14, and blanked previously unbeaten Hawthorne 24-0 in the Class 1A semifinals last week.
Offensively, Madison relies on their ground game and it is led by junior Vinsonta Allen. Allen has rushed for 1,440 yards and 13 scores. He also has 11 catches for 258 yards with 3 resulting in touchdowns and even scored 3 additional times on punt returns. Sophomore Robert Hiers contributed 891 yards rushing with 8 scores as well. Senior quarterback Travis Jay added 936 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Jay also threw for 1,255 yards and 13 additional scores. When Madison passes, Jay will look to junior Derrion Staten, 26 catches for 596 yards with 6 touchdowns and senior Daquarius Thompkins, 10 catches for 246 yards along with 4 scores.
When the Cowboys are on defense, senior linebacker Melvin Brown will lead the charge. Brown has amassed 117 tackles, 14.5 tackles 14.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Big defensive tackle Terray Jones, a 6'1 280 pound senior added 77 tackles with 19 behind the line of scrimmage and eight sacks. Senior Patrick Hampton tallied 78 tackles including 25 for a loss and 12 sacks. Junior Jarod Johnson chipped in 72 tackles with 13 behind the line. Senior Devin Norwood contributed 48 tackles with 12.5 for a loss and six sacks. Junior Chalon Howard had 61 tackles.
The Baker Gators are making the seventh appearance in a state championship game. The Gators were defeated 34-21 by Pahokee in the 2016 Class 1A final which was their last appearance in a state final. They have won four state championships with the last one coming in 1993 when Baker defeated Fort Meade 27-6 to win the Class 2A state championship.
The Gators enter the Class 1A final with a 13-0 record. Baker defeated Freeport 49-21 in the opening round, dominated Bratt Northview 38-14 in round two, trounced Vernon 51-19 in the regional final, and pounded Port St. Joe 48-27 in the state semifinals last week.
Baker senior running back Junior McLaughlin is the bell cow on offense, he has rushed for 2,859 yards and 36 touchdowns. McLaughlin also has two scores on punt returns and a receiving touchdown. Senior Derek Peoples Jr added 514 yards rushing, 267 yards receiving, and nine scores.
Sophomore Joe Brunson leads the Gators defensively, he notched 88 tackles with 18 for a loss and eight sacks. Junior Trey Kolmetz added 94 tackles with six in the opposing backfield. The senior trio of Kenneth Williams (79 tackles), Payton Rockwell (65 tackles 11 tfl), and Shawn McLeod (54 tackles 12 tfl 5 sacks) are key contributors as well. Peoples Jr intercepted five passes and returned a fumble for a score.
