CAN ANYONE BEAT ST. THOMAS?
On paper, they have a strong case for top team in the state. The three losses to Lakeland in a row are a distant memory after back to back titles. Largo is no longer 5A, one thing we know is that they will face a different team in the state semi’s. Perhaps Trey Burton’s Venice team or Brion Carnes Manatee team could put it together. They figure to get team’s best shot all year. WILL LAKELAND REBOUND? PLANT IS NOW 5A Lakeland does not get beat like that, not in a State Title game. It happened and after beating St. Thomas five times in title games, they are the team that must rebound. With Jared Haggins, Javares and Ben McRoy, and Steward Butler the offense has all the tools. Defensively, the LB’s Quayshawn Nealy and Wil Lucas are the state’s top tandem. 4A State Champion Tampa Plant (won 2 of 3) joins 5A and have yet another top flight QB to build a team around(Phillip Ely). 4A HOW WIDE OPEN IS THIS CLASS? Very wide. Teams like Pine Forest, Niceville, Lincoln, Gainesville, Edgewater all
