PALM HARBOR - Seminole won the Class 3A state championship in 2003. Palm Harbor University won it in 2002. Friday night, the two rivals collided for the chance to win the 5A title in 2004.
Only the Warhawks were standing after 80 contentious, controversial and contact-filled minutes, earning a trip to the state semifinals at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium.
Seminole defeated Palm Harbor U. 4-1 at Hurricanes Stadium in a region final that saw six yellow cards, a first-half hat trick and one crucial red card.
It was the Warhawks' (24-5-4) third win over the 'Canes (18-5-3) this season and most lopsided playoff win in 12 years. Afterward Seminole coach Rick Masi enjoyed a celebratory Gatorade shower, and PHU coach Juan Pablo Pinzon berated the referees.
"You had the two best teams in the county here playing," Masi said, "so it was a classic match."
The game turned in the ninth minute, when Hurricanes keeper Brent Hileman and Warhawks midfielder Morgan Riley tangled in front of the net. The two went down and punches appeared to be exchanged. Hileman got a red card, and Riley received the first of his two yellow cards.
"It had to change their whole mindset when it happened," Masi said. "But their kid threw a punch at our kid's face, and he has to face the consequences."
Pinzon agreed, but said Riley also deserved a red card. Down to nine men, with reserve keeper Sean Kuenning coming in cold, was disastrous for PHU. Kyle Urquhar's penalty kick put Seminole up 1-0.
"The referees ruined the game," Pinzon said. "If it was 11-on-11 or 10-on-10, then we have a shot."
Then the Warhawks' Richard Legg took over, and he was unstoppable on scoring breakaways in the 23rd, 36th and 39th minutes to make it 4-0 at halftime.
"It feels great," Legg said. "We get to go to Fort Lauderdale, miss a couple of school days and bring back a state championship for Seminole High."
The Hurricanes did not concede the second half, attacking throughout. After several close calls, Jeff Livingston rebounded a loose ball in front of the net to make it 4-1 in the 69th minute.
Seminole faces Merritt Island in Wednesday's state semifinal while Nova will meet Gaither. The 5A title game is 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
