CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

Beginning tonight, the Florida High School Activities Association will hold seven high school football championship games at the University of Florida's Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Fourteen teams playing in seven games for seven trophies. And THREE of those teams will be from Polk County.

This afternoon at 1:00, the third-ranked Fort Meade Miners make their fifth trip to Gainesville in six years. They will face top ranked and undefeated Panhandle powerhouse Blountstown for the 1A title in an attempt to break a Red Sox-type jinx that has seen the Miners come away from Gainesville with only the moniker of "runner-up". UPDATE: FORT MEADE WINS THE TITLE 42-38! CONGRATULATIONS MINERS!

Tonight at 7:00, the 4A championship is up for grabs as third-ranked Lakeland Lake Gibson takes on top-ranked defending champ Seffner Armwood in a rematch of their title game from last season. UPDATE: ARMWOOD WILL BRING THE TITLE ONCE AGAIN TO SEFFNER, THIS TIME IN A 49-21 VICTORY. CONGRATULATIONS! THE FIRST TIME EVER A HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL HAS WON BACK-TO-BACK FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!

And tomorrow evening at 7:00, the Lakeland Dreadnaughts attempt to cap a perfect season and bring home it's fourth state title when they meet Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas for the 5A championship. Lakeland is well known as having one of the best high school football programs in the southeastern United States, according to some publications specializing in prep sports and recruiting. UPDATE: THE TRADITION CONTINUES! LAKELAND WINS 31-7! CONGRATULATIONS 'NAUGHTS! THAT TWO TITLES FOR POLK COUNTY!!!

In addition to Armwood, Tampa Jefferson will battle Jacksonville Bolles for the 3A trophy as the only other representative from Hillsborough County.

Congratulations to all the participants and their schools. There are a lot of great players in Central Florida, and it just goes to show ya that we still grow 'em good here in Imperial Polk...Bring 'Em On Home!!!