The 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Championships get underway this week at Pitbull Stadium, on the campus of Florida International University.
The 5th of our seven state champions will be crowned Friday night when the American Heritage Plantation Patriots (11-2) take on the Orlando Jones Fightin’ Tigers (14-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Patriots will have to play through adversity as junior quarterback Dia Bell (Texas commit) will be unavailable as he sustained a season-ending injury in the regional semifinals against Dillard. Expect the Patriots to start senior Malachi Toney (University of Miami signee) at the quarterback position, with eighth-grader Othniel Rhoden likely to get some reps as the signal-caller as well.
Expect the Patriots to rely heavily on the run game where they will call senior running back Byron Louis (Florida commit) who has rushed for 1,496 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season.
How did American Heritage Plantation get here? They defeated Jensen Beach 40-7 in the regional quarterfinals. They defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale) 24-14 in the regional semifinals. They defeated Miami Norland 35-14 in the regional finals. They defeated St. Augustine 38-28 in last week’s state semifinals.
What’s At Stake For American Heritage Plantation? The Patriots are seeking their 6th state title in school history (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2020)
The Fightin’ Tigers also have a loaded offense where they will have junior quarterback Dereon Coleman (Miami commit) under center where he has thrown for 3,238 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions this season.
How did Orlando Jones get here? They defeated Lecanto 42-7 in the regional quarterfinals. They defeated Zephyrhills 41-19 in the regional semifinals. They defeated Ocala Vanguard 27-13 in the regional finals. They defeated Naples 18-7 in last week’s state semifinals.
What’s At Stake For Orlando Jones? The Fightin’ Tigers are seeking their 1st state title in school history.
Expect the senior wide receiver duo between Vernell Brown III (Florida commit) and Larry Miles to have a huge impact in the receiving game tonight. Brown has caught 89 passes for 1,405 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while Miles has caught 63 passes for 1,153 yards and has found the end zone 10 times this year. Also we can’t forget about senior running back Jaquail Smith who has been a force on the ground this season leading the team in carries (156), yards (1,727), and touchdowns (21) this season.
On the defensive end, The Fightin’ Tigers have been carried by senior linebacker Quimaine Myers, who has been credited with 127 total tackles this season. Fellow teammate Deandre McDaniel Jr. has been credited with 111 total tackles this season. Freshman defensive back Demetre Pryor has been wreaking havoc in the secondary, where he leads the team with seven interceptions this season.
While both teams come into tonight’s game averaging over 30 points per game, we can fully expect this game to be a shootout. Possibly going down to the final possession with whoever has the ball last has a strong chance to come out on top.
What Is Your Prediction For the 4A Championship Game? Orlando Jones 31, American Heritage Plantation 24
