Pahokee is in a familiar place
Blue Devils need one more win to return to state fifinal.
Don’t check the record books, but this Pahokee team has been here.
The Blue Devils, last year’s Class 1A champions in memory but not in name, are one game from getting back to Camping World Stadium, where they beat Baker for the title last year.
The Florida High School Athletic Association ruled that Pahokee used an ineligible player last season, and the Blue Devils vacated the state championship.
“In my mind, people are kind of underestimating the heart of a champion” Pahokee coach Orson Walkes said. “At the end of the day, we still are the state champs. We’re the defending state champs. We’re planning on remaining the state champs.”
But fifirst, they have to beat undefeated rural North Florida powerhouse Madison County (12-0) at 7:30 tonight in Madison. The Cowboys, like the Blue Devils (8-2), spent part of the season as the No. 1 team in the class.
“They are a good team. Can’t take that away from them,” Walkes said. “But I’m a little biased, so in my mind, we got them.”
A major issue is the long trip. Madison, roughly midway between Lake City and Tallahassee near the Georgia border, is more than fifififififive hours from Pahokee. When the Blue Devils had a long trip to Cocoa earlier in the season, the team came out flat and lost 45-0. So Walkes will try to make sure his team is ready to go.
“Leaving early,” Walkes said, “making sure we can get there and get loose, get our blood flflowing.”
The teams have a lot in common. Both feature strong defenses and look to the running game. The Cowboys have rushed for 3,740 yards.
Running back Der rick Stat en Jr. leads the way with 1,050 rushing yards (on 90 carries—an average of 11.7 yards per touch) and 14 touchdowns. Another senior running back, Teryon Henderson, has 985 yards and nine scores. Senior quarterback Tre Adams has 698 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground while throwing for 1,201 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pahokee has some strong running backs, too. Starter Jat arie Washing ton, who missed the past two playoffff games with an ankle injury, is back. He has 1,356 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. In front of him, often lining up at fullback, is LaVonski Williams, who has 750 yards and nine touchdowns.
“Washington’s always been an amazing kid,” Walkes said. “He displayed that stuffff all in the little league (and) could’ve probably started last year. .The kid’s a talented kid, intelligent kid, very explosive player. Typical Pahokee skill player. He’s a throwback.”