The Florida High School Athletic Association Football State Championships begins Friday with a matchup between two Class 6A programs firing on all cylinders.
West Boca (14-0) takes on Osceola (12-2) in the Class 6A title game on Friday at 12:30 p.m. from Pitbull Stadium on Florida International University’s campus.
Inside the matchup:What to know about West Boca football’s state final against Osceola
West Boca downed Southridge 14-11 in the state semifinals and enters the state final undefeated after Western was forced to forfeit a victory over the Bulls earlier in the year. West Boca’s defense has given up more than 14 points just three times this season, and the Spartans’ 11 points were the most the Bulls have given up since Nov. 1.
Osceola has reached the 6A championship after handling business against two powerhouses in back-to-back weeks. The Kowboys knocked off previously undefeated Armwood 17-7 in the regional title and then downed Buchholz 41-35 in the Final Four after coming up with an interception and forcing a turnover on downs in clutch time.
Trey Moran 93-yard touchdown pass to Mark Hanniford.
Bulls lead 26-7 with 3:19 left to play.
It’s a massive momentum swing for West Boca Raton.
Jump ball to Mark Hanniford and the junior WR catches it between two defenders and takes it in for a 52-yard score.
XP is no good.
Bulls lead 19-7 with 44 seconds left 3Q.
West Boca Raton converts a fourth down and moves down to the Osceola 1-yard line.
After a false start, the Bulls settle for a 31-yard field goal.
Key play: a catch-and-run by Billy Clancy III to move to goal line.
West Boca leads 13-7, 3:15 3Q
The Bulls went three-and-out on the half’s first possession but the defense managed its own three-and-out on the ensuing possession.
West Boca Raton took over in Osceola territory after a shanked punt. Trey Moran converted a fourth down run leading into the water break.
Osceola can’t capitalize on the interception. 42-yard field goal is not good.
10-7 West Boca Raton with 17 seconds to halftime.
Osceola interception. Ja’mario Bradford with the takeaway on a West Boca deep ball to Andrews.Kowboys ball at their 38, 3:21 to halftime.
UCF commit Taevion Swint plows in at the goal line.
Easily the Kowboys’ best drive of the day.
West Boca Raton leads 10-7, 4:25 second quarter.
Michael Gonzales bails out the Bulls after a muffed punt. West Boca leads 10-0. They’ll start at their 28 with 10:46 2Q.
It’s all West Boca Raton after the first quarter.
They’ve connected on a 60-yard touchdown pass and blocked a punt already.
Xavier Reid blocked a punt on Osceola’s second drive to set up the Bulls with great field position.
Wesr Boca Raton was forced to settle for an 23-yard field goal.
The Bulls lead 10-0 with less than 5 minutes left in the first quarter.
It’s a quick strike for West Boca Raton.
Mason Mallory hits Kyle Andrews on a 60-yard touchdown pass for the game’s opening score.
Bulls lead 7-0 in first quarter.
Osceola won the coin toss and elected to receive.
West Boca Raton forces a quick three-and-out on the game’s first drive.
West Boca Raton star running back Javian Mallory is not dressed out for the Class 6A state championship game.
Mallory is with the team but not wearing shoulder pads.
Traveling down Glades Road, heading out to the western community surrounding West Boca High School, one would believe there is magic in the air.
The rags-to-riches, worst-to-first story surrounding the West Boca football program is handcrafted for the holiday spirit, lighting Palm Beach County abuzz as the Bulls march down to Florida International University with a state championship on the line.
There, at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Osceola (12-2) awaits – setting the stage for a Class 6A state title battle between the storied Kowboys program and West Boca’s “new kids on the block.”
USA Today Florida Network reporters Nick Wilson and Alex Peterman will report live from Pitbull Stadium. Follow their updates here throughout the game.
The West Boca vs. Osceola FHSAA Class 6A State Championship Game will be shown on the NFHS Network. Click the link to watch that game: West Boca vs. Osceola.
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