GAINESVILLE – The road to Orlando officially begins this week for several playoff teams, we begin by breaking down each classification. First round games kick of this weekend all over the state, including around town as teams start their conquest of getting to Camping World Stadium.
Class 1A is one of the most balanced classes spread out from the Panhandle all the way to the Muck fields in Palm Beach county. Some of the teams to keep an eye on are No. 1 Madison County, No. 2 Dixie County, No. 1 Pahokee and No. 2 Wildwood
REGION 3-1A
No. 4 Union County at No. 1 Madison County
Madison County Cowboys (10-0)
Key players: Quarterback Tre Adams (55 of 86 for 1,070 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT, 663 rushing, 7 TDs), tailback Derrick Staten Jr. (908 yards, 10 TD on 76 carries, 508 receiving, 3 TDs), tailback Teryon Henderson (887 yards, 7 TDs on 142 carries), Johnathan Alexander (105 tackles, 23 tackles for loss), Travis Jay (6 interceptions, 43 tackles)
Outlook: Behind a massive offensive line featuring Zane Herring, Quon’mane Washington, Ahmod Powell, Zac Coe and Ta’ronn Johnson, the Cowboys lethal running game of Adams, Staten and Henderson has accumulated 3,303 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns. The defense behind Alexander and Jay has surrendered an average of 16 points and has accumulated 14 interceptions and 9 sacks. A brutal schedule that featured 8 playoff teams (Wakulla, Rickards, Dunnellon, U.C., Columbia, Williston, Newberry, FSU) has the Cowboys well prepared for another long playoff run. Head coach Mike Coe has the No. 1 ranked Cowboys playing with a lot of confidence and playing at home at Boot Hill, is often a death sentence for opposing teams.
Union County Tigers (6-4)
Key players: tailback Charles Strong (1,388 yards, 15 TDs on 186 carries), quarterback Brian Scott (38 of 79 for 505 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs), wide Receiver Keyshawn Young (22 catches for 261 yards 4 TDs), lineman Angelu Nunu (38 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 25 hurries), lineman Maurice Strong (31 tackles for loss, 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 9 hurries)
Outlook: Things began so well for the Union County Tigers after a 6-1 start; however since surviving a 31-25 overtime win over Hawthorne, the Tigers have dropped three straight and limp into the playoffs. One thing that could help them against Madison County is a brutal schedule, which featured playoff teams Dixie County (10-0), Newberry, Fort White, Williston and Taylor County. Like last year, senior tailback Charles Strong (FSU commit) is the go-to-guy for the Tigers and must have another huge night if the Tigers are to pull the upset against a Madison team which drilled them 65-12 two years ago in the playoffs. Head coach Ronnie Pruitt and his staff will have their hands full trying to stop the Madison County train.
2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets: FHSAA Class 1A
