Northeast Fl- When Union County defeated Madison County in the Regional Semifinal, and University Christian defeated Trinity Christian in the Regional Finals, both teams achieved powerful victories over powerhouse programs in the state of Florida. University Christian and Union County are both power house programs in their own right, with nine and three championships respectively. However, U.C hadn’t won a championship since 2016 when they went back to back. And Union County hadn’t won a state championship since 1996. Yet Friday night, both programs powered their way even closer to championship glory, with powerful performances against two defending champions.
Union County
For Union County (8-2), their 27-16 defeat of Madison County (4-7) in their first playoff game topped the Cowboys from appearing in their second straight championship game. The Cowboys were reiging state champions, winners of 4 of the last 5 FHSAA State Championships. That second round win fueled Union County in their their Regional Final contest against Lafayette, defeating the (10-3) Hornets 41-6 in the third round.
Running back Rayvon Durant rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns against Lafayette, his second straight playoff game rushing for at least 150 yards. The Tigers rushed for a total of 389 yards against Lafayette, getting big rushing efforts from AJ Cortese (89yds, 1TD), Dayviontae Thompson (48yds, 2 TDs), and Jamez Jamison (44yds, 1 TD) Friday night.
However, it wasn’t just the rushing offense that powered the Tigers to the Final 4, the defense stepped up big as well, holding the Hornets to just 6-points. Thomas Williams led the team with 6 tackles on the night. Markus Strong registered 3.5 sacks in the game. While Auntrell Ross caught an interception. The Fight’n Tiger defense has been oppetunistic as Gavin Jenkins and Daylyn Diston both caught picks in the game.
Union County, who earned a first round bye will face Northview (12-0) in the fourth round 1R State Semifinal on Friday.
University Christian vs Trinity Christian
University Christian (11-1) fell to Trinity Christian (11-1) earlier in the regular season by a score of 20-13. In that game, the Conquerors played without starting 4-star quarterback Colin Hurley (LSU commit) who was sidelined with a hand injury yet Trinity still won behind their dominant rushing attack. This time around, Hurley would play in the playoff game, but University Christian’s opportunistic defense would be ready to play as well.
The two game changing plays occured when the Christian’s leaders, seniors Orel Gray and Desirrio Riles came away with two spectacular interceptions. First, Gray would step in front of a pass in the second quarter, taking the interception back for a touchdown. Gray also scored the first touchdown of the game, a run which jettisoned his 119 yard rushing performance in the Regional Final. UC led at halftime 22-14.
Florida commit Treyaun Webb kept his team close, rushing for 120 yards and two touchdowns, including a second half score that brought Trinity within a 2-points 22-20. The five star running back closed out his senior season with 1117 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Now, it would be Desirrio Rile’s turn to make his game changing play. At the start of the fourth quarter, Riles would leap into the air from his defensive end position and intercept Hurley’s pass. The 6’3, 225lb athlete would take the pick back to the house, stunning the home crowd and giving U.C a 29-20 lead in the fourth.
Trinity would pull to within 2-points 29-27, after Hurley connected with Miles Burris on a touchdown pass. Hurley tossed two touchdowns in the game, including one to Kyle Boylston for a score.
Yet, University Christian would not be denied their shot to return to the championship game. Quarterback Dwayne Stuckey Jr would toss his second touchdown of the contest to wide receiver Jenoa Alford with 3:21 to play in the game.
University Christian would power their way to a 36-27 victory over Trinity, defeating the Conquerors for the first time since 1991. That same year, they won a state title. University Christian will face Clearwater Central Catholic (11-1) at home Friday in the Class 1M state semifinal.
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