Miami Fl- Bolles entered Wednesday night’s Class 2A state championship game ready to battle, and they knew they’d be facing their toughest test to date. Cardinal Mooney came into the game as former State Champions (2023), and though the final score did not fall Bolles’ way the Bulldogs delivered big plays, strong responses, and plenty of heart in this high scoring showdown.
Ultimately, Mooney claimed the title with a 52–28 win, earning its third championship and second in three seasons under Head Coach Jared Clark. Still, Bolles showed fight from start to finish.
To begin the game, Cardinal Mooney struck first when Davin Davidson found Bo O’Daniel for a 34-yard touchdown with 8:20 left in the opening quarter. However, Bolles answered right back.
Just a few minutes later, quarterback Jaden Weatherly hit a wide-open Naeem Burroughs for a 41-yard score that tied the game at 7–7 with 5:56 remaining. The Bulldogs’ sideline came alive, and momentum seemed to swing.
Even so, Mooney leaned on its ground game, finishing an 82-yard drive with a short three-yard touchdown run by Connail Jackson. Bolles threatened on its next possession, driving inside the Mooney 20, but a missed 31-yard field goal in the second quarter kept the Bulldogs from pulling closer.
Then, Mooney found the end zone twice more before halftime, including another touchdown grab by O’Daniel and an eight-yard rushing score from Jackson, who hit the break with 100 yards and two touchdowns. Bolles trailed 27–7 at halftime but refused to fold.
Coming out of the locker room, the Bulldogs struck again. Weatherly connected with Burroughs for a 15-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27–14 early in the third quarter. But once again, Mooney answered, pushing its streak to five straight touchdown drives as Jackson ran in his third score of the night.
Bolles, though, kept fighting. After a Mooney sack stalled a drive, the Bulldogs executed a bold fake punt that stunned the stadium. Simeon Caldwell (Ohio State signee) took the snap and raced 71 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 34–21 with 1:35 left in the third. It was the spark Bolles needed, but Mooney remained sharp, scoring again early in the fourth.
Despite an interception by Mooney’s Laron Foye, Bolles continued to compete as Weatherly and Burroughs linked up for their third touchdown connection of the night. Yet, with under five minutes left, time was running out. Cardinal Mooney sealed the game on a 54-yard touchdown run by Devin Mignery, closing the night with a 52–28 final.
The Bulldogs defense was completely overwhelmed by the high powered Mooney offense. While Bolles signature big play rushing attack was forced to earn each yard, inch by inch. Bolle’s leading rusher Xander Edwards delivered the blow on the ground with tough runs, but the Cougars rallied to the ball and laid hats on the two thousand yard rusher holding him without a score for the first time all year.
Although the Bulldogs fell short, Coach Matt Toblin’s team showed toughness, creativity, and grit on the state’s biggest stage. Jaden Weatherly showed why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the state, tossing 3 touchdowns to Naeem Burroughs (Clemson signee) who got open behind a Cougar defense that held Cocoa to 0 points in the State Semifinal.
The journey to the title game was filled with growth, big-time plays, and the spirit that defined Bolles football all season. They finished with a 13-2 record, and one of the top rushing offenses in the state representing Jacksonville and Northeast Florida as one of only two teams to make it to the FHSAA State title game.
