With the Class 1R state championship game now scheduled for next Thursday, Dec. 7, Hawthorne’s state semifinal at home against Blountstown has been moved to Thursday night.
Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. The game will be video streamed via the NFHS Network.
“This allows for a full week off between this game and the championship game next week,” said Hawthorne Athletics Director and defensive coordinator Dustin Adkins.
The Hornets (11-0) are seeking their fourth straight state championship game appearance.
Last Friday, the defending state champions defeated No. 1 overall seed Williston on the road, 34-16, in the 1R-Region 4 Final.
They held an unbeaten Red Devils team to 31 points below their season average.
“The key against Williston was understanding and recognizing the formation in order to line up correctly,” Adkins said of Williston’s Wing-T offense. “From there, it was just 11 players doing their individual assignment on each play and being physical and dominant throughout the game. While there were a few mistakes made, the overall energy and effort on defense was very good and I thought we were able to control the game in that regard.”
Last week, Blountstown edged Port St. Joe, 14-10, in the Region 2 Final to advance.
The Tigers (8-3) are only averaging 18.6 points per game, but Adkins said his team won’t overlook the No. 4 seed on Thursday.
“Honestly, we prepare each week for the opponent and we do not look ahead or behind us,” he said. “First round the focus was entirely on Newberry, the next week it was Williston, and now we are on to Blountstown. Being around this game long enough, you see ‘upsets’ or surprises each week. Our team has taken the approach that we go one week at a time and our entire focus is on that opponent. While Williston was a tough opponent, they were just another step for us towards reaching our ultimate goal.”
Blountstown has been winning with its defense, which is allowing just 15 points per game. They’ve allowed just 16 total points in their two postseason games.
Senior Amarion Hover (8.5 tackles for a loss) and junior Jamarion Engram (18.5 TFL) have 98 and 96 tackles, respectively.
They have several players who are committed to Division-I schools.
Senior edge rusher Ashton Mosley (73 tackles, 19 TFL), who leads the team with 8.5 sacks, is a USF commit.
Defensive lineman Artavius Jones (52 tackles, 13.5 TFL), who is ranked No. 24 overall in Florida according to 247Sports, is a Miami commit, and senior safety Jordan Pride (No. 50) is a Texas A&M commit.
Hawthorne has athletes and playmakers all over the field.
The Hornets are averaging 41 points per game behind junior quarterback C.J. Ingram (2,314 yards, 33 TDs, 3 INT) and junior running back Keenon Johnson (1,310 yards & 15 TDs).
USF commit Alvon Isaac leads the team with 43 catches for 882 yards and 15 TDs, followed by Caleb “Megatron” Rollerson (32 rec., 700 yards, 9 TDs), who just picked up an offer yesterday from the University of Central Florida.
Navy commit Andrew Zock, who caught a touchdown pass last week, leads the team with 123 tackles and is third on the team with 17 TFL behind junior Naziy Gent (22 TFL) and senior Demetri Perry (18 TFL).
“We have to come out fast, aggressive, and hungry,” Adkins said. “Win all three phases of the game, offense/defense/special teams. I think if we can get out in front comfortably and continue to do our job and execute the game plan then we will have a great chance of getting back to Tallahassee. However, we have to finish the drill and stay focused and composed throughout our game Thursday.”
STATE SEMIFINALS
Thursday, Nov. 30
Class 1R – No. 4 Blountstown at No. 1 Hawthorne, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 1
Class 2S – No. 3 Pensacola Catholic at No. 2 Bradford (Starke), 7:30 p.m.
Class 4S – No. 4 Lakeland at No. 1 Buchholz, 7:30 p.m.