Hawthorne (Florida) dominates Blountstown in Class 1R state semifinal
HAWTHORNE, FLORIDA- Across the chest of hoodies worn by many Hawthorne coaches on the sidelines in Thursday’s night Class 1R state semifinal read ‘Hawthorne University’.
It was simply fitting because by the end of the Hornets 49-0 thrashing of Blountstown, to some in attendance at Annie Mae Phillips Stadium, that might’ve felt like they just witnessed a college team playing a high school squad.
That’s because of Hawthorne’s crisp play throughout the evening and keeping the penalties, turnovers to a minimum. Hawthorne won with a running clock taking into effect in the third quarter as the Hornets return to the 1R state championship for the second season in a row.
It’s the fourth straight state championship game overall Hawthorne has reached. At times, it looked effortless for the Hornets.
What got the scoring party started was a 27-yard scoring strike from quarterback CJ Ingram to wide receiver Alvin Isaac (USF commitment) in the first quarter. The touchdown toss helped set the tone for a Hornets’ offense that wasn’t stopped much all evening long.
Ingram ended up finishing the night completing 10-of-15 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. All the damage offensively wouldn’t be done just through the air, however.
Hawthorne running back Keenon Johnson did a good job eating up clock and moving the chains throughout the game, rushing for 135 yards on 17 attempts and scoring a touchdown.
It would be the ‘Isaac Show’ on the night, with the athlete scoring a receiving, rushing and on a punt return for touchdowns. Altogether, Isaac scored three total touchdowns in helped the Hornets get back to states.
By the end of the first quarter it was 14-0, but immediately into the second frame, Blountstown had a punt snap go through the back of the endzone for a safety. Trailing 16-0, the Tigers would just never be able to find any kind of groove.
It was an overall tough night for the Tigers on both sides of the ball as Greg Jordan’s bunch couldn’t get many stops or drive the ball on offense. The Tigers had less than 30 yards offensively the entire game, ending with negative yardage passing wise.
Most of the same characters from last year’s groundbreaking team are back to defend Hawthorne’s state championship from 2022 as they’ll face Madison County, a 61-22 winner over Bozeman in the opposite state semifinal.
After defeating Northview last December, Hawthorne looks to make it back-to-back against Madison County, whom have won six state championships in the program’s history.
The Class 1R state championship is slated to be played next week on Thursday night at 8 p.m. between the Hornets and Cowboys.
FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
