My Top 8 High School Games of 2012
8. Nov. 2: Lincoln 35 Ocala Forest 28, Forest Stadium (Ocala, FL)
This game was notable to me for a couple different reasons: 1. With the victory Lincoln clinched its 14th consecutive district championship. 2. It was the first time I had ever been to Forest's stadium and it was a very beautiful facility and an enjoyable atmosphere. 3. Lincoln played the entire game without TEN defensive starters which were all left back in Tallahassee due to disciplinary action. As a result of having so few upperclassmen playing defense, the game ended up being much closer than it should have been. Normally that would be a frustrating situation, and certainly at times during the game it was, but ultimately it did nothing but display the tenacity of our team as our exhausted 2nd/3rd string defense made a critical stand in the closing seconds of the game to prevent Forest from scoring to tie or win.
7. Jan. 12: Florida HS All Stars 21 Georgia HS All Stars 14, Mack Thorpe Stadium (Moultire, GA)
Every January there's a series of high school football showcases in the area which pit North Florida high school seniors against their South Georgia counterparts, providing them one more opportunity to show off their skills and potentially get recruited by colleges. "The Border Wars" as they are known are always intriguing due to the rivalry between the Peach and Sunshine states. While the actual play and cohesiveness is often a little lacking (the players only have a couple of practices with each other), it's always entertaining given the sheer number of teams represented. This year's game was probably the best I've been to yet, as it was a good game all along. After Georgia jumped out to a 2nd quarter lead of 14-0, Florida responded by scoring 14 points of their own to tie the game. With time running down, inside of 2 minutes, and the game still tied, Florida held Georgia to a punting situation on about their own 10 yard line. That's when the Florida defense blocked the punt and recovered it in the endzone for the game winning TD. It was very exciting, especially given that the game was played in Georgia territory.
The only thing that really subtracted from the game was that the Florida head coach, Coe of Madison County, played his boys the entire game and as a result, several other hardworking players got little or no playing time. It was very frustrating and made me angry, especially given how hard these guys worked. It's one of those rare instances where the significance of the game is less about who wins and who loses and rather giving these seniors the opportunity to play and go to college. I was very disappointed about this situation and a couple of our Lincoln guys who were there. After the game I talked with parents of two family members of players from different teams: one drove 200+ miles and his grandson played one snap, the other flew in all the way from Houston, TX and his son never was even put in the game! That's terrible in my opinion.
6. Dec. 14: St. Thomas Aquinas 41-25 Lincoln, Orlando Citrus Bowl
The Class 7A State Championship Game: obviously it makes the upper portion of my list because of the fact that Lincoln made it. If the Trojans had won, there's no doubt that it would have been #1. While the result was a little disappointing, the game was not. Many predicted Lincoln to get blown out in this one (STA is the largest private school in the state and recruits players all over from Pennsylvania to California and everywhere in between, it's completely legal), but the Trojans fought hard from the opening kick off which they ran back for a touchdown. Midway through the 4th quarter, and despite some huge blown coverage plays, Lincoln was right in the game, only down 5 points. But fate was not on their side as STA wore the defense down and ultimately cashed in on a couple late scores to close out the game. Still, it was an excellent experience and the Trojan faithful made the trip worthwhile!
5. Aug. 31: Taylor County 20 Dixie County 19, Bulldog Stadium (Perry, FL)
This game was all about firsts: it was the first time I'd ever seen Dixie County, it was the first time I'd ever seen a game in Perry, and it was the first game I'd ever gone two with Miranda. If that weren't enough of a reason for it to make my top 5, I also got to watch her Dakota play (really well I might add), and oh yeah, it was a pretty good game too! Early on it was looking like Dixie County was going to run away with this one, but Taylor County came storming back, scoring 20 unanswered points to take the lead. Even then, Dixie had a chance with about a minute left and the ball on about the 15 yard line to either score a touchdown or kick a field goal to win the game, but unfortunately for the Bears, the QB scrambled out of the pocket on 2nd down and threw an interception in the back of the endzone. Even though it was a touch loss, Dixie played really well and impressed me. They've certainly got a lot of talent down there.
4. Nov. 16: Lincoln 27 Fleming Island 17, Gene Cox
The first round of the state playoffs and a rematch of last year's first round game in which Fleming Island caught a high-riding Lincoln completely off guard to end their season in the first round for the first time in over a decade. This year the Trojans were coming of their only loss of the regular season (to Godby) and did not take their Eagle foes as lightly. As the score suggests, the game was very close and exciting throughout, with Lincoln clinching revenge in the end. The result was only made sweeter by the fact that it was announced that Buchholz had pulled a massive upset over First Coast and the Trojans would get to play at home for one more game.
3. Nov. 9: Colquitt County 13 Camden County 12, Mack Tharpe Stadium (Moultrie, GA)
One of the best games I've ever seen (which tells you just how good the next two were). Camden County came into the game ranked #3 in the country. Much of the game was extremely defensive, and quite frankly, boring but what made this game so good was the last 5 minutes which saw a flurry of scoring culminated by a late touchdown by Colquitt to take the lead and a drive by Camden that put them into position to attempt a 55 yard field goal for the win. The ball ended up missing wide left but maybe six inches and the Packers claimed the biggest upset that week in the country.
2. Dec. 15: Apopka 53 Cypress Bay 50, Orlando Citrus Bowl
Class 8A State Championship Game: Just look at the score. What else can be said? In front of a crowd of some 8,000 people both teams led drive after drive in one of the most high scoring affairs I have ever seen. The really impressive statistic behind the numbers is that every single post-scoring possession began on the 20 (each kickoff was a touchback) and up until the very last minute, there was not a single turnover in the game. So basically, each team would get the ball, march down the field, and score. Some people hate games like that, but being a fan of scoring and whacky things, I found it to be quite entertaining. Ultimately, the game ended when Cypress Bay drove all the way down the field in less than a minute, to the 5 yard line. With a tying field goal a certainty and a good possibility of winning the game with a couple seconds left, the quarterback threw a pass into the endzone. It was broken up and appeared to fall straight down to the ground. What I didn't initially see however was that an Apopka player happened to be lying there and the ball fell right in his lap for an interception. It was fitting given how cleanly the whole game had been played, even though overtime would have been even better.
1. Nov. 30: Lincoln 35 Oviedo 29, Oviedo Field (Oviedo, FL)
The best high school game I attended this year took place in the regional finals of the state playoffs. The game started off rough for the Trojans who quickly found themselves behind the eight ball when following a very impressive goal line stand halted Oviedo at the 1, they promptly got tackled in the endzone on their first offensive play of the game for a safety. This was quickly followed by an Oviedo touchdown and Lincoln was down 9-0 just like that. The Trojans responded, however, like they did all season, scoring a couple times to take the lead. The rest of the game was back and forth back and forth. Lincoln score a touchdown to take the lead with about 2 minutes left, but Oviedo responded very quickly, scoring a touchdown to put them up with about a minute left. Back up against the wall, Lincoln returned the kickoff about 30 yards and then on the very first play from scrimmage, tossed a 50 yard touchdown pass in what would be the final score of the game. A couple of plays later, an interception would seal the deal as Lincoln advance to the State semis and ultimately the State Championship. If the awesome game itself wasn't enough to place this as #1, the amazing turnout of Green and Gold fans (there were several hundred) coupled with time spent visiting with my very good KYX-DAX friends Kevin and Laura Patterson put it over the top.
3. Nov. 9: Colquitt County 13 Camden County 12, Mack Tharpe Stadium (Moultrie, GA)
One of the best games I've ever seen (which tells you just how good the next two were). Camden County came into the game ranked #3 in the country. Much of the game was extremely defensive, and quite frankly, boring but what made this game so good was the last 5 minutes which saw a flurry of scoring culminated by a late touchdown by Colquitt to take the lead and a drive by Camden that put them into position to attempt a 55 yard field goal for the win. The ball ended up missing wide left but maybe six inches and the Packers claimed the biggest upset that week in the country.
2. Dec. 15: Apopka 53 Cypress Bay 50, Orlando Citrus Bowl
Class 8A State Championship Game: Just look at the score. What else can be said? In front of a crowd of some 8,000 people both teams led drive after drive in one of the most high scoring affairs I have ever seen. The really impressive statistic behind the numbers is that every single post-scoring possession began on the 20 (each kickoff was a touchback) and up until the very last minute, there was not a single turnover in the game. So basically, each team would get the ball, march down the field, and score. Some people hate games like that, but being a fan of scoring and whacky things, I found it to be quite entertaining. Ultimately, the game ended when Cypress Bay drove all the way down the field in less than a minute, to the 5 yard line. With a tying field goal a certainty and a good possibility of winning the game with a couple seconds left, the quarterback threw a pass into the endzone. It was broken up and appeared to fall straight down to the ground. What I didn't initially see however was that an Apopka player happened to be lying there and the ball fell right in his lap for an interception. It was fitting given how cleanly the whole game had been played, even though overtime would have been even better.
1. Nov. 30: Lincoln 35 Oviedo 29, Oviedo Field (Oviedo, FL)
The best high school game I attended this year took place in the regional finals of the state playoffs. The game started off rough for the Trojans who quickly found themselves behind the eight ball when following a very impressive goal line stand halted Oviedo at the 1, they promptly got tackled in the endzone on their first offensive play of the game for a safety. This was quickly followed by an Oviedo touchdown and Lincoln was down 9-0 just like that. The Trojans responded, however, like they did all season, scoring a couple times to take the lead. The rest of the game was back and forth back and forth. Lincoln score a touchdown to take the lead with about 2 minutes left, but Oviedo responded very quickly, scoring a touchdown to put them up with about a minute left. Back up against the wall, Lincoln returned the kickoff about 30 yards and then on the very first play from scrimmage, tossed a 50 yard touchdown pass in what would be the final score of the game. A couple of plays later, an interception would seal the deal as Lincoln advance to the State semis and ultimately the State Championship. If the awesome game itself wasn't enough to place this as #1, the amazing turnout of Green and Gold fans (there were several hundred) coupled with time spent visiting with my very good KYX-DAX friends Kevin and Laura Patterson put it over the top.
2012 College Games I Saw in Order of Worst to Best
8. Sept. 8: Florida State 55 Savannah State 0, Doak Campbell
The single worst game I've ever seen in my life. Period. The end. Savannah State would lose to JPII High School, they were that incompetent. If that weren't embarrassing enough, I had to endure a two hour rain delay only to have the game called after the weather finally cleared and play had resumed. I never even knew it was legal to play a shortened game in college. Embarrassing and an utter waste of money and time.
7. Sept. 1: Florida State 69 Murray State, Doak Campbell
Typical for an FBS-FCS opponent. No real complaints, it was fun finally getting to see FSU in action after a long summer.
6. Oct. 13: Florida State 51 Boston College 7, Doak Campbell
I actually enjoy watching FSU beat down conference opponents, but this won was a little 'eh' because it was just a week after the Noles dropped the huge NC State game in terrible fashion.
5. Nov. 24: Florida 37 Florida State 26, Doak Campbell
Really entertaining game both ways. My biggest disappointment is not that FSU lost, but rather that they played as poorly as they did at the end and the score does not reflect the true nature of the game. FSU was actually winning in the 4th quarter with an opportunity to put the game away, but a terrible performance by EJ doomed that. Still, it was an entertaining game.
4. Oct. 27: Florida State 48 Duke 7, Doak Campbell
There were actually Duke fans that thought they'd win. Considering that Duke was better than usual and we dominated them in every phase of the game, I'd say they were wrong.
3. Sept. 15: Florida State 52 Wake Forest 0, Doak Campbell
I always love getting revenge on Wake Forest for the times they've beaten us in recent years. This one was satisfying.
2. Nov. 10: Troy 41 Navy 31, Veterans Memorial Stadium (Troy, AL)
My first time ever seeing a game up at Troy and my first time ever seeing a service academy. Watching Navy play on Veterans Day was simply amazing. There were several regiments of soldiers from Ft. Rucker present as well as several navy officers and veterans. It was just an overall awesome experience with lots of pageantry. Let me say that Troy has an awesome band also. As for the game, it was very competitive up until the very end. Navy has such a strange triple option offense...
1. Sept. 22: Florida State 49 Clemson 37, Doak Campbell
A match up of top 10's. ACC division on the line. First major game of the season. College Gameday. Epic back and forth offensive score fest. I think that sums it up.
Final 2012 National Collegiate Football Poll
The NCF is a poll that I've been coordinating for the past 6 seasons. It consists of weekly top 25 ballots that are completely by 3 independent college football fans which is then combined. Below is the final results from this season:
for immediate release:
1. Alabama 75 (3)
2. Oregon 72
3. Georgia 68
4. Ohio State 65
5. Notre Dame 60
5. Stanford 60
7. Texas A&M 58
8. Florida State 56
9. South Carolina 49
10. Clemson 48
11. Kansas State 47
12. Florida 39
13. LSU 35
14. Louisville 33
14. Utah State 33
16. Northwestern 31
17. Oklahoma 28
18. Texas 20
19. Boise State 17
19. San Jose State 17
21. Oklahoma State 15
22. Nebraska 12
23. Oregon State 11
24. Tulsa 9
25. Northern Illinois 6
Others Receiving Votes: Michigan 5, Vanderbilt 4, UCLA 2.
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