Home Sports Class 1S state championship football preview: First Baptist vs. Trinity Catholic

Class 1S state championship football preview: First Baptist vs. Trinity Catholic

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Class 1S state championship football preview: First Baptist vs. Trinity Catholic

Class 1S Championship Game  

First Baptist Academy (9-2) vs. Trinity Catholic (9-2) 

When, where: 1 p.m., Saturday, Gene Cox Stadium (Tallahassee) 

First Baptist 

Averages: Scoring 36.6 points per game, allowing 15 points per game 

Statistical leaders: QB Ethan Crossan (So., 100-146, 1,783 yards, 22 TDs), RB Jaden Booker (Sr., 1,137 yards, 20 TDs), WR Olsen Patt Henry (Sr., 61 catches, 1,159 yards, 13 TDs), LB Michael Votta (Sr., 119 tackles, 11 TFL) 

Postseason: Beat Community School of Naples 42-6 (regional semifinal), beat Moore Haven 49-24 (regional final), beat Munroe 28-7 (state semifinal) 

Signature win: Bishop Verot 56-42 (Sept. 23) 

Recruit to watch: WR/TE Olsen Patt Henry. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Clemson commit has a big frame and understands how to use it to wall off defenders. He’s stretches the field – evidenced by his 19 yard per catch average – and loosens the defense to open holes for Jaden Booker. 

Trinity Catholic 

Averages: 38.8 points per game, allowing 15.5 points per game 

Statistical leaders: QB Preston Wright (So., 88-117, 1.234 yards, 11 TDs), RB Beau Beard (Sr., 1,478 yards, 22 TDs), WR Jewellius Lluberes (Jr., 23 catches, 259 yards, 2 TDs), LB Donathan Lecorn (Sr., 71 tackles, 8 TFL) 

Postseason: Beat Father Lopez 56-6 (regional semifinal), beat P.K. Yonge 48-7 (regional final), beat John Carroll Catholic 22-10 (state semifinal) 

Signature wins: Clearwater Central Catholic 35-29 (Sept. 2), Clearwater-Calvary Christian 49-46 (Oct. 7) 

Recruit to watch: OL Tommy Kinsler. The Miami commit is a big part of the Celtics outstanding run scheme. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound senior is a dominant blocker who drives defensive lineman back and does a good job of getting to the second level.  

Inside the matchup 

Trinity has won seven games in a row and its two losses were 3-point defeats against Florida High (Class 2S state finalist) and Raines (Class 2M regional finalist); First Baptist has won six in a row since losing to Pahokee (Class 1R regional finalist) on Oct. 14. The loss to Pahokee, which came on the road after a 20-day layoff because of Hurricane Ian, is the Lions lone in-state loss this season. First Baptist had the second-toughest strength of the schedule in the regular season and Trinity had the fifth toughest strength of schedule. Trinity is 2-1 away from home this season; FBA is 1-2 on the road. Trinity held its past four opponents to 10 points or less; First Baptist has three shutouts and limited five of its past six opponents top seven points or less.  

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