We’re in round two and there are some really big matchups in the best of the best championship series. If you’ve haven’t heard, DuvalSports.com is picking the top 32 High School Football teams ever to play in North East Florida. We match them up against one another in a bracket to determine who is the the greatest high school football team of all time. Who is the Best of the Best? DuvalSports.com analyst Andre’ Ellis and Corey Davis debate match ups daily and the fans get to vote on who they believe would win each contest as well. Finally, we will resolve the question that has been on the minds of former players and football fans for nearly a century. Who is The Best of the Best in our area??
“Best of The Best” is Sponsored By…
“At WEAVER INJURY LAW, PLLC, we don’t look at our clients as just another aspect of our business. At our office, we take our client’s personal injury matters, personal! “
1965-1966 Bradford vs 1995 Sandalwood
This is a classic matchup up of old school versus very old school. It’s hard to believe that its been 21 years since Sandalwood dominated the area in their undefeated regular season. And yet 29 years before that the Bradford Tornadoes became the toast of the town of Stark and the entire north Florida region. Though nearly 30 years separate these two teams, both are strikingly similar in style. Bradford and Coach David Hurse wants to pound you with their running game behind their very talented offensive line. A line led by former Pittsburgh Steeler Larry Brown. Tough is a word overused in football, but these guys were truly the definition of the word. The team was extremely disciplined and made quick work of many teams before halftime. Their first of back to back titles may have been their most impressive.
“The Bradford Tornadoes defeated Auburndale 24-7 in the 66 state playoffs. Auburndale was undefeated and a19verage 40 pts a game. They had beaten a couple of “AA” teams during the year,one being Winter Haven who won their “AA” Region and was in the “AA” playoffs. Auburndale also won the Class “A” state Track title that year. They were fast and big. The 2nd half of the Bradford game Auburndale had one first down and 15 yard of total offense. So while Bradford might have been small in numbers they were tough.”- Alan David
Legendary Coach Bob Withrow perfected the wing-t offense with his 1995 Sandalwood team. Sweep Right, Sweep Left, Dive Right, Touchdown Frankie Franklin! Every game was basically the same formula dialed up by the Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year, and executed by the Florida Dairy Farmers Player of the Year. The team was comprised of undersized but quick linemen who were going to out work you for four quarters even though many of the games that year were done by halftime. The o-line sealed the edge of defenses and created alleys for running backs Franklin, and Turk Williams to run through. What might’ve been the team’s most impressive feat is advancing to the State Championship without Franklin. Their star running back who rushed for 5,471 yards in his high school career and 2,319 yards in 1995 went down with a knee injury in the 2nd quarter of their semifinal playoff contest. The team didn’t miss a beat, going on to defeat Winter Park 35-7, and marching into Orlando Evans (13-0 at the time) and defeating them 12-10 without Franklin. A testament to the tough, and disciplined team assembled in 1995.
The difference maker in this game wouldn’t be one player it would be all the players, as the depth of each team becomes a factor. Bradford fielded a team of 21 players while Sandalwood had a team of close to 50 players. Though in a perfect world football is played without injuries, in reality we know that injuries are a regular part of the game. For this reason Sandalwood would get the close victory because they proved against the toughest competition in the state that they could win on the road without their star player. The Saints could march right into David Hurse Stadium and get the win with or without Franklin. As talented and tough as the Tornadoes were, I don’t think Bradford would be able to say the same if they lost Larry Brown or any of their other starters.
Fans tell us who you think would win! Vote and share your comments on Facebook below! Thanks!
[ABTM id=23843]
