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The high school football playoffs continued across both the Sunshine and Peach states last Friday and some #20Strong prospects helped their respective schools get to the next round while others saw their prep careers come to an end. As always, we’re here to track how they did.
In case you missed it, Daytona Beach Mainland prospect Taron Keith decommitted from the 2020 class just 24 hours after his team was eliminated from the postseason.
FHSAA 1A
Pahokee LB Frankie Burgess
Burgess was a driving force behind a dominant defensive effort from the Blue Devils as Pahokee rolled to a 28-14 victory over Hawthorne.
The #20Strong linebacker has three sacks and two fumble recoveries on the night, one of which resulted in a touchdown.
End 1st: Pahokee 14, Hawthorne 0
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 16, 2019
Blue Devils most recent score was made possible via fumble recovery by @Frankburgess22 @FHSAA 1A REGION 4 SEMIS@Pahokee_MSHS @dj_boldin @FlaHSFootball @FHSAA pic.twitter.com/QFP1gqnD7U
6:41 4th: Pahokee 28, Hawthorne 7
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) November 16, 2019
This looks to be the game-sealer, as @LK2Jr forced fumble & @Frankburgess22 (2 sacks tonight; 21 for season) recovered it for a touchdown ‼️
XP good to give Blue Devils a 21-point lead. @Pahokee_MSHS @dj_boldin @lil6ix_ @FHSAA @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/AJxsOjJ3JY
Burgess and the Blue Devils have advanced to the Region 4 finals where they will host Chiefland on Friday. The winner will advance to the Class 1A state semis to face either Madison County or Union County.
FHSAA 3A
Ocala Trinity Catholic OT Miller Merriweather-Lewis
The four-star OT’s senior year came to an end as his team fell 28-14 on the road at Pensacola Catholic on Friday.
FHSAA 4A
The Villages Charter DB Mac Harris
In VC’s second-round matchup with South Sumter, Harris tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to put the Buffalo on the board before being knocked out of the game with a left ankle injury.
As a result, South Sumter pulled away late for a 21-7 victory to eliminate The Villages from the 4A bracket.
FHSAA 5A
Plantation American Heritage OG Khristopher Love
Khris Love and his Patriots had zero problem dispatching of North Miami Beach in a 44-0 second-round beatdown last Friday.
This sets up a huge Region 4 final showdown with Miami Nortwestern, who won the 6A state championship last season. The winner of the South Florida showdown will advance to face either Jesuit or Lake Wales in the state semifinals.
Port Orange Atlantic LB Ty Berrong
Speaking of Lake Wales, they advanced by eliminating Ty Berrong’s Port Orange Atlantic ballclub 36-21. The three-star linebacker didn’t go down without a fight.
.@berrong_ty blows up this first down play and gets a TFL. @Bulls247 pic.twitter.com/xSkqYSqXmI
— Will Turner (@TBTurner813) November 16, 2019
It’s been a wild and amazing ride these past 4 years. On to the next the chapter ocho out✌ pic.twitter.com/SJ7Ii9nJAC
— (@berrong_ty) November 16, 2019
A few days later, he was recognized locally by being named the Daytona Beach QB Club’s Defensive Player of the Year.
— Mayo (@CoachDJmayo) November 19, 2019
FHSAA 6A
Tampa Gaither LB Chance Coleman
Down 20-13 in the fourth, Gaither rallied late to pull ahead of Clearwater for a 27-20 playoff victory.
As a result, Coleman and the top-seeded Cowboys advanced to the Region 2 finals where they will host Lake Minneola this Friday night. The winner will face either Pensacola Escambia or Jacksonville Lee in the Final Four.
Lake City Columbia QB Jordan Smith
Lake City Columbia WR Marquez Bell
Lake City Columbia LB Le’Vontae Camiel
The trio of Smith, Bell and Camiel had their seasons end in an epic defensive struggle, one that saw Jacksonville Lee triumph 6-3 in double OT on a gutsy fourth down pass that resulted in a game-winning touchdown.
Smith, the Tigers’ all-time leading passer, finished his senior season with 2,571 yards passing, 297 yards rushing and 32 total touchdowns with eight interceptions thrown. Bell had 1,055 yards receiving on 52 catches and 12 touchdowns. Camiel finished with 61 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.
When coming to Columbia Two years ago I didn’t think it would turn out for the best .... Life has Did a complete 360 here I thank God For giving me another opportunity To play the game I love with the Gift he blessed me with . I Want say Thankyou to Coach Allen and the entire pic.twitter.com/hq5o1af3nU
— Levontae J Camiel (@LevontaejCamiel) November 16, 2019
FHSAA 8A
Deerfield Beach CB Christopher Townsel
Townsel and the Bucks walloped Palm Beach Central 53-9 last Friday to advance to the Region 2 finals where they will travel to Vero Beach. The winner of that matchup will face either Davie Western or Miami Columbus in the 8A state semis.
GHSA 6A
Valdosta QB Tate Rodemaker
Rodemaker and his Wildcats opened the Class AAAAAA state playoffs in Georgia by dicing up Lakeside-Evans for an easy 45-9 first-round victory. The senior QB went 20-for-26 on the evening for 215 yards and five touchdowns.
Like we mentioned last week, his recruitment is starting to pick up with P5 schools starting to swarm in. It appears that he’ll be taking an official visit to Pitt for their regular season finale against Boston College.
BREAKING: USF QB commit @TateRodemaker will be taking an Official Visit to Pitt on Saturday, November 30th, he tells The Athletics Pitt
— The Athletics Pitt (@AthleticsPitt) November 16, 2019
In the meantime, Valdosta will be focusing their attention on this Friday when they will travel up to the Atlanta suburbs to face Region 7 champion John’s Creek. The winner will face either Richmond Hill or Lanier in the state quarterfinals.