We’re now into the second round of the five-week Florida High School Athletic Association state playoffs. Last week brought no major surprises. Will the power rankings hold up in Friday night’s region semifinal round? The competition level is expected to be tougher for most of the 10 Orlando area teams still in the game. Friday’s winners advance to region finals next week, with state semifinals set for Friday, Dec. 6, leading to championship games from Wednesday to Saturday, Dec. 11-14, at Florida International University in Miami. Our Scoreboard at SentinelVarsity.com will keep you updated on every game involving an area team. Check here for scoreboard updates. Go to the Sentinel Varsity home page for news on football and other sports.

Uncover the Thrills of Florida High School Football Playoffs

Jones vs. Zephyrhills: A Battle for Regional Glory

Jones quarterback Dereon Coleman connected with Vernell Brown III for two scores, and the Tigers’ defense recorded four sacks and three turnovers to lead Jones to a 41-19 homefield victory in a Class 4A Region 2 semifinal. The Tigers (12-0) controlled the game but struggled to punch the ball in for touchdowns. They took the opening drive for a touchdown on a 40-yard run from running back Jaquail Smith but failed to score from inside the five-yard line on their next drive. Even with setbacks, the defense kept the Bulldogs’ passing attack in check. Eventually, Jones wore down Zephyrhills’ defense. Coleman finished the game with 222 yards on 16-for-22 passing and two touchdown throws to Brown. Smith added 108 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. The defense picked off Bulldogs quarterback Xzavier Jackson twice and sacked him four times. Despite Jackson’s 233-yard passing and two touchdowns, Jones’ defense held firm. Quimaine Myers got Jones’ first interception and returned it 29 yards, setting up a touchdown drive. The Tigers only failed to score on three drives, punting once and committing two turnovers. This was enough to advance to the region final, their fourth consecutive trip to the final four.

Tampa Bay Tech vs. Edgewater: A Tough Semifinal Battle

A slow start led to a tough finish for Super 16 No. 2 Edgewater in a Class 5A Region 2 semifinal at home. Turnovers and penalties hurt the Eagles (10-2) in the first half. Tampa Bay Tech (9-2) quarterback Trevon Moore did a little bit of everything, passing for 247 yards with two touchdowns and an interception and rushing for 123 yards with another TD. The explosive play in the first quarter was a 51-yard touchdown pass to Oregon signee Dallas Wilson. Edgewater quarterback Carter Emanuel struggled, going 10-of-25 for 118 yards with an interception but threw a 44-yard TD pass to Tyson Carter late in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Josh Perry finished with 67 yards rushing, 42 yards receiving and a touchdown. In-game updates showed Tampa Bay Tech running out the clock to improve to 9-2. Edgewater made a comeback with a one-yard TD run by Josh Perry. Tampa Bay Tech stifled the comeback with a one-yard keeper TD by Trevon Moore. Edgewater crept back into the game with a one-yard TD run by Josh Perry with 9:57 remaining. The third quarter ended with Tampa Bay Tech on top 21-3, but Edgewater was driving. The last minute of the first half had two turnovers. Edgewater QB Carter Emanuel threw an interception at midfield, and the Eagles thwarted the ensuing Tech drive with an interception in the end zone. With a win, Edgewater would either host big underdog Tampa Gaither (6-4) or play at 5A No. 1 Lakeland (11-0) next Friday.

Lake Mary vs. Spruce Creek: Thomas’ Dominance on the Field

It was the Isaiah Thomas show for Lake Mary (10-2), as the senior running back carried the ball 26 times for 156 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in the Class 7A Region 1 semifinal. Thomas exited with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter due to a lower-body injury. Junior Gavin Isaacs entered and scored a 10-yard touchdown to extend Lake Mary’s lead. Lake Mary will host rival Sanford Seminole next Friday night with the region title and a final four berth at stake. Rams junior quarterback and Notre Dame commit Noah Grubbs completed 10 of 19 passes for 115 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Spruce Creek capitalized on Grubbs’ first interception to take a 6-0 lead. Lake Mary responded with 24 unanswered points, including a pick-six score by senior linebacker Elijah Stracker. An 80-yard touchdown pass and another pick-six just 19 seconds apart extended Lake Mary’s lead. Spruce Creek closed the gap but Lake Mary sealed the win with two more TDs in the fourth quarter. With a win, Lake Mary would host either Orange City University or Seminole next Friday and is guaranteed to be home for the state semifinal round.

Seminole vs. Orange City University: A Comeback Victory

Despite a horrid first half with Seminole in a 14-0 hole at halftime, the ‘Noles were able to rally at home to beat the Titans (9-3) and advance to the Class 7A Region 1 final. Seminole (10-1) will play at arch-rival Lake Mary next Friday night. Seven penalties for 60 yards were detrimental in the first half. Seminole came out determined in the second half, relying on running back Khamani Robinson, who had 135 yards on 19 carries and scored the go-ahead touchdown. Seminole’s defense was tough, with Terrance Thompson Jr. having an interception that led to a touchdown and Omari Griffin having a pick-6. The loss ended the stellar careers of OCU seniors quarterback Malachi Walters and two-way player Jermane Hayes. With a win, the winner faces either top seed Lake Mary or Spruce Creek next Friday.

Bishop Moore vs. Dunnellon: Hornets’ Path to the Final

The Hornets (10-2) won at home to advance to the 3A Region 2 final. Dunnellon finished 8-4. After a series of events including special teams mistakes and offensive struggles, Bishop Moore took the lead with an Amare Johnson touchdown. They also had a key interception and a blocked rushing touchdown. If the Hornets win, they would either travel to face top seed Eau Gallie (10-1) or host Titusville (7-4) next Friday.

Dr. Phillips vs. Jupiter: Panthers’ Road to the Region Final

Dr. Phillips won to improve to 11-1. The Panthers will be home again next week for the region final as top seed Palm Beach Central lost. Zion Matthews scored a 30-yard touchdown in the second half. The defense had four takeaways, including Lincoln Terveus’ interception. Dr. Phillips also had strong offensive plays like Stanley Anderson-Lofton’s passes and touchdowns. With a win, Dr. Phillips would play either Vero Beach (7-3) at home or travel to face the No. 1 ranked 7A team, Palm Beach Central (10-1) next Friday.

Kissimmee Osceola vs. Durant: Kowboys’ Dominance

Osceola (10-2) used its dominant running game and a stifling defense to defeat Durant in a Class 6A Region 2 semifinal. Running backs Taevion Swint and Jeff Sinophat combined for 187 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in the first half. Elijah Hickson’s 1-yard touchdown run ensured the second half would be played under a running clock. The defense blocked two punts and limited 1,000-yard rusher Emmanuel Lee to 14 yards. Durant avoided a shutout with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jayden Cornelius. With a win, the Kowboys would either play at third-ranked Armwood (11-0) or host No. 16 Tampa Plant (8-3) next Friday.

West Orange vs. Plant City: Warriors’ Comeback Victory

The Warriors (10-2) scored with 57 seconds remaining to defeat the Raiders (9-3). They led 14-12 at halftime on touchdown receptions by Ivan Taylor and Edison Delgado. With a win, the Warriors would play at 7A’s top-ranked team Venice (10-1) or host Newsome (8-3) next Friday.

Lakeland Christian vs. Orlando Christian Prep: A Close Contest

The Warriors finish 5-6 with the loss. Lakeland Christian (10-1) advances to the Class 1A Region 2 final. OCP won a wild one last week and now faces a tough opponent. With a win, OCP would play at either Clearwater Central Catholic fourth-ranked (9-2) or seventh-ranked Carrollwood Day (7-3) of Tampa next Friday.