Florida’s best football teams are on their way to Orlando, as the FHSAA Football State Finals continue this weekend at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The state’s larger schools will settle the 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A crowns Friday and Saturday, December 18-19.
The smaller schools (1A, 1B, 2A and 2B) played this past weekend at the Citrus Bowl. The Central Florida Sports Commission, City of Orlando, Edgewater High School and Orange County Public Schools are the co-hosts for the state finals for the third year in a row.
“Our opening weekend exceeded our expectations for attendance and statewide interest,” said Sam Stark, president/CEO of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “Now the big schools are on their way, and we’re very excited to host even more student-athletes and fans. This is Central Florida’s chance to see some of the best high school players in the state and nation.”
DeLand High School highlights the second weekend and will face Miramar in Saturday’s 6A Final. The Bulldogs are playing in the school’s first ever state football title game. DeLand, which went 0-10 only 2 years ago, is also trying to become the first Volusia County school to win a state crown since Daytona Beach’s Mainland High in 2003.
Other second weekend story lines include Manatee High School, which knocked off the nation’s top ranked team, St. Thomas Aquinas, to make Friday’s 5A Final. Pensacola will face Belen Jesuit in the Friday afternoon’s 3A Final. The school won Florida’s first ever state championship in 1905, the same year it played in the state’s first high school game. Below is the full rundown of games.
FHSAA Football Finals Schedule of Games
1 p.m. Friday          Class 3A Title Game
Belen Jesuit (Miami) vs. Pensacola
7 p.m. Friday          Class 5A Title Game
Manatee (Bradenton) vs. Plant (Tampa)
1 p.m. Saturday Class 4A Title Game
Niceville vs. Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens)
7 p.m. Saturday Class 6A Title Game
Deland vs. Miramar
