#3 Dr. Phillips Panthers (11-2) at #2 Seminole Seminoles (12-0)
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Where: Thomas E. Whigham Stadium, Sanford (2701 Ridgewood Avenue)
TV: Spectrum Sports (Channel 47 and HD 1147)
Coaches: Dr. Phillips – Rodney Wells (6th, 66-11); Seminole – Don Stark (1st, 12-0)
About the matchup: A spot in the 8A state championship game is on the line Friday night in Sanford.
Dr. Phillips has won eight straight since back-to-back losses to Apopka and Mainland in the middle of the season. The Panthers knocked off previously unbeaten Vero Beach to earn a spot in the state semifinals for the third time in program history. An aggressive, hard hitting DP defense has forced a school record 40 turnovers and is allowing only 10.1 points per game. The Panthers front seven includes Nebraska commit Robert Porcher and linebackers Nick Smith (N.C. State commit) and Dylan Meeks. Meeks missed the entire regular season with a torn labrum but returned for the start of the playoffs. The school’s all-time leading tackler has 35 stops in three postseason games. Panthers coach Rodney Wells says quarterback Marvin Washington played the best game of his career last week against Vero Beach. He threw for 181 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 62 yards and two scores. Washington is a UCF commit.
Seminole is in the state semifinals for the fourth time in program history. The ‘Noles will be without their leading rusher D.J. Hampton, who fractured his toe in last week’s 48-31 win against Winter Park. Hampton rushed for 1,712 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He averaged 184 rushing yards per game in Seminole’s three playoff victories. Vernon Mamwell, Aaron Edmunds and Desmond Brown are all likely to get chances to carry the ball in Hampton’s absence. Quarterback Kaylan Wiggins, who recently picked up an offer from FIU, carried the ball 15 times for 151 yards against Winter Park, including a decisive 35-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-3 with 57 seconds remaining. UCF commit Gabe Davis has 57 receptions and 15 touchdowns. The ‘Noles feature an imposing defensive line with FSU commit Demarco Artis and defensive tackle Josh Fernema. Seminole’s defense forced two turnovers against Winter Park, bringing their total to 26 for the season.
Three and out:
1. This is the second playoff meeting between the Panthers and Seminoles. Dr. Phillips defeated the ‘Noles 37-13 in the 2010 state semifinals.
2. Dr. Phillips will make its 46th appearance on Spectrum Sports, the most of any team in Central Florida.
3. The winner of Friday night’s game will play either Miami Southridge or Deerfield Beach in the 8A championship game next Saturday night at Camping World Stadium.