Jacksonville Fl- With a trip to the 2A State Championship on the line, the Bolles Bulldogs delivered one of the most dominant first halves in program history, overwhelming the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs 42–20 in the state semifinal. The victory sends Bolles (13–1) into a highly anticipated title-game showdown with fellow 13–1 contender Cardinal Mooney.
From the opening series, Bolles asserted absolute control. On the second offensive play of the night, explosive junior running back Xander Edwards broke loose for a 34-yard burst, setting the tone and finishing the drive moments later with a powerful touchdown run. That score gave Bolles a 7–0 lead and opened the floodgates for what became a historic half of football.
After Gibbons briefly tied the game, Bolles immediately punched back. Edwards found the end zone again—his second rushing touchdown of the first quarter—to push the Bulldogs ahead 14–7 after one.
The Bulldogs’ offense shifted gears early in the second quarter when quarterback Jaden Weatherly dropped back and delivered a perfectly placed strike to his trusted receiver Camden Tietze for a Bolles passing touchdown. The scoring connection extended the lead to 21–6, showcasing Bolles’ ability to balance their bruising run attack with timely passing efficiency.
Then came the avalanche. Edwards, running with purpose, pad level low and legs churning, punched through the Chiefs’ defensive front for his third rushing touchdown, pushing the Bulldogs ahead 28–6.
Minutes later—still in the first half—Edwards took another handoff, cut off tackle, and powered through two defenders for his fourth rushing touchdown of the night. The scoreboard read Bolles 35, Cardinal Gibbons 6, and the Bulldogs took that emphatic lead into halftime.
Edwards’ four-touchdown performance in a single half was one of the most commanding playoff efforts seen in the state this season, adding to his already stellar year in which he has eclipsed the 1,500-yard rushing mark with over 25 touchdowns.
Alongside him, Weatherly has passed for more than 2,000 passing yards and over 20 touchdowns, while Tietze continues to be one of the leaders of the receiving corps with 600+ yards and 10 scores. Star Naeem Burroughs takes the attention of defenses which frees up space for tight end Corbyn Fordham.
Bolles added one more touchdown in the second half to close out the win—finishing the semifinal with a decisive 42–20 victory and punching their ticket to the Class 2A State Championship.
State Championship Preview: Bolles (13–1) vs. Cardinal Mooney (13–1)
*Denotes notable offers, but necessarily not all offers
The Bulldogs now face Cardinal Mooney, a powerhouse that has built its own dominant résumé. They defeated Cocoa 40-0 in the state semifinals. Mooney relies on two stars who have carried them all season:
- RB Connail Jackson – An absolute workhorse with 2,253 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. One of the most powerful and productive runners in the state. (Offers Auburn, Louisville, Wake Forest)
- QB Davin Davidson – Efficient and accurate with 2,192 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions, plus 3 scores on the ground. (NC State, Northwestern offer)
Davidson spreads the ball across a dangerous receiving trio:
- Kymistrii Young – 936 yards, 8 TDs (North Carolina signee)
- Mason Jordan – 608 yards, 5 TDs
- Bo Odaniel – 502 yards, 7 TDs
Defensively, Mooney features elite size and production:
- Elijah Golden (6’4″) – 14 sacks (Notre Dame signee)
- Bryce Fulda (6’3″) – 13 sacks (Western Kentucky signee)
- Tra’vion Lester – 10 sacks
- KJ Brown (109 tackles) and Jayden Burnett (102 tackles)
But their biggest challenge will be containing a Bolles rushing attack widely regarded as the best in Florida—anchored by Edwards and one of the most physical offensive lines in the classification.
Offense:
Offensive Line: JJ Sparks (Miami signee), Williams Zebronski, Reid Koelbel, Andrew Smith, Ryan Ingram, Caleb Barnes
RB Xander Edwards: 2,532 rushing yards, 44 touchdowns ( Offers: Indiana, Miami, FSU)
QB Jaden Weatherly: 2,006 passing yards, 23 touchdowns
WR Naeem Burroughs: 1,151 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns (Clemson signee)
WR Camden Tietze: 664 yards, 11 touchdowns
WR Corbyn Fordham: 310 yards, 3 touchdowns (FSU signee)
Defense:
Bolles enters the championship having outscored opponents by more than 350 points this season, with a defense that can completely shut down the oppositions line of scrimmage.
LB Simeon Caldwell: 99 tackles, 2 interceptions (Ohio State signee)
DE Asher Ghioto: 23 sacks (5-Star)
DE Chance Faucheaux: 9 sacks
DL James Gibbs: 8 sacks
DB Santana Starks: 6 interceptions
Bolles is led by head coach Matt Toblin, who took Ponte Vedra to the state championship in 2016. In 2019 Toblin took Bolles to the state championship, but the Bulldogs fell to Cocoa. In 2020, Toblin returned his Bolles team to the title game, but lost to Cardinal Gibbons. After enacting revenge over Cardinal Gibbons this year, he looks to finish the job in his fourth try this decade, to finally hoist the state championship trophy.
Coach Jared Clark led Cardinal Mooney to their first state championship in 51 years in 2023. The Cougars Class 1S State Championship was a major milestone for the school and program, their first title since 1972.
Bolles has won 11 FHSAA State Championships, they’re last coming in 2011. They are looking to reclaim their position as a perennial state champion power, and a win this Wednesday will do just that.
With both teams 13–1 and loaded with star power, the 2A State Championship is shaping up to be a classic—power vs. power, and two of Florida’s most complete teams battling for the Class 2A crown.
