Final Four: NFC, Madison County football win Regional titles, advance to state semis
A year ago, North Florida Christian football found itself staring at defeat in the FHSAA Class 1S Regional final.
It was a loss that motivated the Eagles in 2023, leading to them to Friday night.
Facing St. John Paul II in the class 1S Region 1 final, things came full circle for NFC.
It beat the Panthers 21-14 to claim the regional crown and book a spot in the 1S state Final Four, overcoming last season's regional final defeat.
"It definitely still stings like it was yesterday, but it feels really good knowing we're going to the state semifinals and that we are one of the final four teams," NFC quarterback JP Pickles said. "But we're not done yet."
Pickles, a senior, has been a staple for the Eagles' offense, totaling over 3,400 yards of offense this season and scoring 39 touchdowns. Against JPII, Pickels stepped up for NFC in the big moment, scoring a late rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter that ultimately won the game.
Pickles added a 60-yard touchdown to Zeke Ackerman early in the third quarter.
Eagles head coach Brent Hill has seen the development of Pickles since his arrival to the program in 2021, and he feels that moments like Friday's win show how far the program has come in a few seasons.
"The seniors that were with me and when I first got here, when they were sophomores we were on the other end of a lot of beat downs, but no matter what, our kids always fought," Hill said. "I'm proud to see no matter what's happened they've always had kind of a chip on your shoulder. They play hard and they're one of those teams that is what high school football is about."
It wasn't the prettiest of victories for NFC, but for a team that has found different ways to win all season, all that matters is the score when the clocks hit zero. With a limited roster compared to other teams in the Big Bend, players like senior Josh Schuchts are lining up on both sides of the ball and playing nearly every snap for the Eagles.
Schuchts has hauled in nine touchdowns this season for 667 receiving yards and has been one of the Eagles' top defensive players. Having to focus on playing both sides of the ball, the senior feels that the team's mentality keeps everyone focused on the goal of competing for a state title.
"We fought through adversity, but we're still a team. We're still close. And we just want to win," Schuchts said. "We're gonna make sure we win every single game. We're gonna give everything we got."
With a road matchup against 1S powerhouse Cardinal Mooney on the horizon, the Eagles have a chance to finish the season in Tallahassee if they get a victory on the road. A win over the Cougars in Sarasota books the Eagles a ticket in the 1S state championship at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Even with the possibility of representing their hometowns in the state title game and in college ahead of the duo, Pickles and Schuchts, both Austin Peay football commits, are staying grounded and focusing on one day at a time ahead of the state semifinal against Cardinal Mooney.
"I'm definitely excited to go to college but I don't want to look past this season," Pickles said. "Everybody says high school is the best football you'll ever play."
"I just want to be where my feet are right now," Schuchts added. "Going on day by day and just doing everything I can to be the best."
NFC will face Cardinal Mooney in the Class 1S state semifinals on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
1R: Madison County advances to state final four, beat Union County
It wasn't easy, but the Cowboys keep on rolling, picking up a seventh straight win and claiming the 1R Region 3 title with a 17-14 win over Union County Friday night, the same team that sent the Cowboys home last season. Down 7-3 at halftime, the Cowboys score two second-half touchdowns to win the regional title.
Last making the state tile game in 2021, winning 13-12 over Hawthorne, Madison County will have a chance to get back to the title game if it can beat Bozeman in the state semifinals on Friday, Dec. 1. The Cowboys will host the semifinal, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
2S: Florida High falls to Pensacola Catholic in 2S Regional final
Pensacola Catholic won the class 2S Region 1 championship with a 17-10 victory over Florida High on Friday Night, ending the Seminoles season in the regional final round and finishing with a record of 10-3. Ray Daly Jr. got the lone touchdown score for Florida High.
More from Mike Hickman Stadium: Pensacola Catholic football advances to Final Four with win over Florida High (pnj.com)
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: NFC, Madison County book spots in state semifinals with regional title wins
