Stage set for third meeting

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published November 27, 2005

SEFFNER - This is the opponent Armwood wanted.

Ditto for Miami Washington.

After meeting in the state semifinals each of the past two years, both programs have eagerly anticipated the possibility of another showdown since fall practice began back in August. And this week at Traz Powell Stadium in Miami, they'll get it after each staged dramatic come-from-behind victories Friday night.

"It's something we've been looking forward to for a year, and I'm sure they have, too," Washington coach Tim Harris told the Miami Herald after the Tornadoes (10-0), ranked second in the Herald's South Florida top 20 poll, defeated rival Edison 24-20.

When the teams played in December, Armwood squeaked out a stunning 36-35 victory that remains fresh in the minds of both teams. The Hawks, trailing by seven late in the game, scored on a wide receiver pass, then went for two and got it to advance to the Class 4A final. (They claimed their second straight championship the following week).

As a wild celebration took place on Armwood's side of the field, the scene on the other end was one of despair. While tears flowed, many Washington players fell to the ground in disbelief. With victory seemingly in hand minutes earlier, the Washington band played, cheerleaders danced and fans celebrated. At one point, one Tornadoes manager turned to another and said, "I can't believe it; we're going to state."

"That win will never be forgotten in Armwood history," Armwood coach Sean Callahan said.

In the other semifinal meeting, Armwood won 44-14 in 2003. The squads also faced each other at USF's summer camp a few months ago.

"They don't keep score (at camp)," Callahan said. "But we felt really good when we left the field. And they felt really good."

Reaching the semifinals was difficult for both. Armwood (12-1) trailed Winter Haven, a team it had beaten 42-0 during the regular season, by one before Darren deRochemont booted the go-ahead field goal with 8:39 left to cap a 23-21 victory. Earlier this fall, deRochemont missed an extra point in Armwood's only loss, a 21-20 defeat to Hillsborough.

"He took a lot of c--- for the one he missed," Armwood linebacker Walter Radny said. "But he came through when we needed him."

Edison led Washington 20-9 before Tornadoes quarterback Alwan Lee, a USF commitment, completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to spark a fourth-quarter rally.

"We're going to be going up against probably the most athletic, fastest group maybe in the southeast, if not the country," Callahan said. "We have a lot of respect for them."

--Staff writer Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 226-3350 or niebuhr@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 27, 2005, 01:19:10]