Statement Weekend in Florida?

02.09.2023HS Boys

Where the pecking order stands in Florida's high school league could be a bit clearer after this weekend.

First off, let's look at the standings:

Florida	W	L	T	PF	PA	PD	BT	BL	Total
Okapi	3	0	0	100	25	75	2	0	14
Wellington	1	2	0	54	77	-23	1	1	6
Jacksonville	1	0	0	64	14	50	1	0	5
Boca Raton	1	1	0	22	26	-4	0	0	4
Key Biscayne	1	1	0	25	34	-9	0	0	4
Tampa	0	2	0	28	81	-53	0	1	1
Cardinal Gibbons	0	1	0	0	36	-36	0	0	0

So Okapi is dominant, right? Gibbons is in trouble, right?

Well, maybe. Okapi has started very well and their 36-0 dismissal of Gibbons two weeks ago spoke volumes. However, this was the first game of the season for Gibbons, and we've seen Gibbons start slowly and finish at full pace, so one loss at the beginning of the season says little.

So maybe teams should be looking over their shoulder(s) at Gibbons, and first up is Tampa, a hard-nosed 0-2 but now facing a CG team that's a bit annoyed.

While everyone makes the playoffs, there are statements to be made. In the middle there's Boca vs Wellington, with one team looking to stomp on chasers and another looking to jump into 2nd.

And speaking of shoulders, how about Jacksonville? Starting later than the others, the Wolverines showed up on the field last week to beat Tampa 64-14.

"This is one of the hardest-working groups I've had the pleasure of coaching," said Jacksonville Head Coach Aaron Church.

The talent is raw, but if often is at Jacksonville. Still hooker Patrick Kelly and lock Aiden George lead from the front in a pack with few seniors. Big lock Elijah Melendez and flanker Jered Hodge back them up. Hodges scored four tries last week.

Nick Taylor has moved in as the 1st-team flyhalf and Cam Correll is a talent at fullback. Zander Erasmus is a new player at center and at 6-2 provides a nice combination of youth (he's only 16), power, and playmaking ability.

So of course, as we've buried the lede somewhat in this story, Jacksonville plays Okapi this weekend. Church is painfully aware that this will be the Wanderers' fourth game and his team's second.

"The key with a young squad is building the chemistry and discipline," added Church. "Okapi is very talented and this will be a big test on where we stand. Our boys are not being complacenet after an early victory again Tampa. They have a lot of work to do."

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