Within their grasp

Only a high-powered Nease offense stands in the way of Armwood's third state title.

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published December 10, 2005

MIAMI - Last Sunday morning, a group of Armwood assistants sat at desks inside a school classroom, each with a pen in his hand and a few sheets of paper in front of him. With the lights dimmed, the coaches closely watched video of Ponte Vedra Beach Nease's recent drubbing of Gainesville Eastside.

They scribbled notes.

They discussed formations.

They spotted strengths and potential flaws.

At one point, after gifted Nease quarterback Tim Tebow, whom some regard as the county's best prep signal caller, eluded a group of defenders and found his receiver for a lengthy gain, Armwood defensive coordinator Matt Thompson stopped the video and remarked boldly, "We're going to stop that."

They had better.

If the Hawks stop, or even slow the heralded Tebow in today's much anticipated Class 4A final between Armwood (13-1) and Nease (12-2) at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, they stand a good chance of becoming just the seventh team in state history to win three straight titles. If they can't, Nease very well might spoil the party, and Tebow could put a stamp on what some are calling the best high school career ever by a Florida quarterback.

How Tebow fares against the Armwood defense isn't the game's only intriguing matchup, mind you. And it isn't just Tebow that Armwood must worry about (Nease also has a good ground game and a stingy defense). But the simple fact remains the key to victory for both teams rests squarely on Tebow's powerful left arm.

"That QB is great," Armwood defensive tackle Jake Cross said. You can say that again.

In the playoffs alone, Tebow, who lines up in the shotgun almost every play, has thrown for 1,003 yards and his squad has twice scored more than 57 points. But has he faced a defense quite like this?

Armwood allows fewer than 10 points a game, and behind its dominating defensive line, hard-hitting linebackers and steady defensive backs, the Hawks held most of their previous opponents to fewer than 150 yards of offense. But it's worth nothing that last week USF commitment Alwan Lee of Miami Washington burned Armwood for more than 300 passing yards in a 37-34 Armwood win.

Some Hawks believe Tebow will be easier to defend than Lee because he isn't quite as fast. But Tebow has proven he can run and is ranked as the nation's No. 1 dual-threat QB by rivals100.com for a reason. In addition to having passed for more than 3,000 yards, he has 980 on the ground.

"He's the real deal," Thompson said.

Then again, so is Armwood, which enters today's game having won 42 of its past 43 games on the field. In what many thought would be a transition year for the Hawks, they find themselves in a familiar spot. And as usual, they're confident.

"My guys are ready," coach Sean Callahan said. "They look forward to it."

WHEN/WHERE: Today, 1 p.m. Dolphins Stadium, Miami

TICKETS: $10.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-75 south through Naples and east toward Fort Lauderdale. Merge onto I-595 via exit 19 and go east. Take the Florida Turnpike Toll exit (8A) and head south toward Miami. Exit at N.W. 199th St. (2X). Turn right on N.W. 199th St. Dan Marino Blvd./ FL-854.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]