Another season for the Buchholz Bobcats ends in heartbreak at Citizens Field in the state semifinals.

Leading 10-0 over West Broward early in the third quarter, Buchholz gave up 21 straight points before eventually falling 24-17 and a game short of the 6A State Championship Game. It’s the fifth-straight loss for Buchholz in a state semifinal.

“It’s difficult to stomach,” head coach Mark Whittemore said. “We got beat by a talented team.”

Two plays were the ultimate back-breakers for the home Bobcats.

Leading 3-0 late in the second quarter, running back Josh Menefee was stuffed on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line. 

“I mean, that totally changes the complexion of the game,” Whittemore said. “Probably at that point, we were in control.”

Then, trailing 14-10 late in the fourth quarter, Buchholz forced West Broward into a third-and-14 at their own 6-yard line but gave up a 94-yard touchdown pass from Brandin Mincy to Daquan Adderley.

“Special kid making a special play,” Whittemore said.

Buchholz’s offense never fully recovered and struggled most of the night.

Quarterback Andrew Whittemore, limited by injury, threw two touchdown passes but had three interceptions in the loss. He split time with Florida receiver signee Justin Williams, who took most of the snaps at quarterback out of the wildcat formation.

Williams’ final game of a stellar high school career ended with over 100 yards of total offense, including a 22-yard pass in the second quarter.

“We were trying to create as many answers as we could, and just kind of ran out of answers a little bit,” Whittemore said. 

Buchholz’s defense, meanwhile, had multiple takeaways with an interception from Caleb Young in the second quarter and another by Zay Robinson early in the third quarter to set up Whittemore’s first touchdown pass: a 20-yarder to Marquel Brooks.

Brooks’ touchdown, combined with a 42-yard field goal from Jay Giunta in the first half, gave Buchholz a 10-0 lead.

However, big plays ultimately cost Buchholz in the second half.

It started with a 70-yard touchdown run by Adderley in the third quarter before Whittemore threw his second interception of the game. A drive later, West Broward took a 14-10 lead with an eight-yard touchdown run from Izaiah Lopez to open the fourth quarter.

Another interception by Whittemore, this time on a fourth-and-eight from West Broward’s 35-yard line, set up Adderley’s 94-yard touchdown catch. West Broward added a 40-yard field goal with 2:09 left.

Buchholz found the end zone one last time as Whittemore hit Chris Johnson for a three-yard touchdown off a batted pass, but the ensuing onside kick went out of reach of a diving Williams and out of bounds, sealing the loss.

“Tried to mount a comeback there at the end,” Whittemore said. “(Williams) was fully stretched out for that ball. He gets that ball, maybe we’re still kind of breathing.”

Buchholz’s season ends at 12-2 as the Bobcats hope to get over the semifinal hump in 2026 with this year’s sophomore class of Whittemore, Brooks and Menefee looking to lead the way.

High School Football

FHSAA Football playoffs (area teams in bold)

Friday, Dec. 5
Class Rural Florida Invitational Tournament (FIT) Championship
1 Fort White 32, 2 Port St. Joe 29

Class Rural State Championship
2 Hawthorne 24, 1 Blountstown 8

Class 6A state semifinals
4 West Broward (Pembroke Pines) 24, 1 Buchholz 17