The 2009 FHSAA Football Finals kick off Friday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

In Class 1B, Belle Glade Glades Day (11-2) will face South Daytona Warner Christian (12-1) at 1 p.m. Glades Day is coached by Clewiston graduate Pete Walker, who also coached the Tigers to an 8-5 record in 2002, one-year after the retirement of Al Morrell. The Gators are led by freshman phenom RB Kelvin Taylor, son of former Jacksonville RB Fred Taylor, who has rushed for 2,392 yards and set a state record with 45 total TDs this season. Warner Christian is the defending state runner-up.

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Savon Seward was named the MVP of the South team, while Tre Boston earned top honors for North.

This could be the first overtime ever played in the 21 years of the Carrigan Classic. The score remains tied at 7.

The all-star OT format is similar to the college overtime. Teams get the ball on the 10-yard line and have to match what the other accomplishes.

South possession: On the first play in overtime, Savon Seward moved the ball down to the 5-yard line. It’s 3rd and goal for South in their first OT possession. South had to settle for a field goal, but Elias Mayer of South Fort Myers missed it wide right. The North team only has to score, from the 10, to win this.

North possession: North is inside the five yard line. It’s 3rd and goal from the 4-yard line. East Lee’s James Holland scored on the ensuing possession, making the final score North 13, South 7.

Check that, they will play overtime. John Carrigan himself made the announcement.

0:07 4Q: FG kicker Elias Mayer is warming up on the sidelines. What could have been an easy, 21-yard FG try has turned into a little more daunting, 34-yard attempt. With the clock ticking down and no timeouts, Mayer’s kick was blocked after a rushed, bobbled snap. The game remains tied with 0:7.4 seconds left on the clock. There will not be overtime.

1:05 4Q: A botched run by Fort Myers Buddy McClendon resulted in an 8-yard loss for the South team. It’s second-and-12, wait, make that third-and-23 for South after another big McClendon loss. Timeout South.

1:22 4Q: Lehigh’s Larry Overstreet managed the first down moving the ball to the 4-yard line and giving South even more breathing room in this tied game.

1:28 4Q: South has a chance to close it out here. South Fort Myers High senior Elias Mayer is one of the most prolific kickers in Lee County. South will try a couple of diving, rush plays, but if they can’t punch it in, look for Mayer to kick the potentially game-winning field goal. (more…)

FINAL: It’s Over. Lehigh falls 16-0.

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The Lehigh Senior High School football team will take one of the most surprising playoff runs in recent memory on the road tonight to a county that is synonymous with state championships. (more…)

Citing lingering medical concerns, Riverdale High School football coach Tom Roszell announced he is stepping down from his coaching position.
“My doctor’s going to be very happy,” said the 50-year-old Roszell, who will continue as the school’s athletic director. “We’ve had this conversation for the last couple of years. He thinks this would help reduce my stress.”

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