Gaither at Jesuit: A region final that will be too close to call

The Tigers beat the Cowboys by one during the regular season and could come down to the wire again

TAMPA, FLORIDA- Last season, both contests between Gaither and Jesuit between the regular season and the playoffs were no contest. 

The Tigers out-scored the Cowboys a combined 87-31, with the latter contest being a 45-10 throttling of Gaither in a Class 3M, Region 2 final. 

Now fast forward into this 2023 season and if you take one look at the first meeting between the two programs, you would likely be doing a double take. 

It was a down to the wire, 36-35 win for Jesuit (10-2), just narrowly getting by Gaither and eventually giving the Tigers the Class 3M, District 5 championship. That tells you just how close these two teams really are at this point compared to 2022 and makes this meeting tonight at Corral Memorial Stadium that much more interesting. 

Jesuit looked like a team out of whack early on in the season when they lost back-to-back games against Treasure Coast and Columbus, both blowouts. Sitting at 1-2 and in an unfamiliar position, the only way to go was up for the Tigers. 

Tigers head coach Matt Thompson rallied the troops and has guided this team to nine straight wins since losing 42-14 to Columbus back on September 8th. Victories along the way included impressive wins over Armwood, Bishop Verot and Tampa Bay Tech. 

That's been behind one of the most potent offenses in the state,operated by sophomore quarterback Will Griffin, who has thrown for 3,145 yards and 32 touchdowns. Griffin isn't alone in making plays, though, as he's got some help alongside of him. 

Notre Dame commitment Justin Thurman has been impressive, rushing for 755 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. Wide receiver Willy Suarez might be the most underrated at his position in the entire state, hauling in 61 passes for 1,157 yards and 13 touchdowns. Suarez has also added 200 yards rushing and five scores. 

On the other side of the spectrum, Gaither (7-5) has been really well offensively behind the play of junior quarterback Jayce Nixon, who has thrown for 2,817 yards and 27 touchdowns to just five interceptions. Running back Elija Mason has been a big contributor next to Nixon, rushing for 1,200 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Griffin will have to keep an eye out for Gaither defensive lineman Antonio Henley, who is coming off a six-sack performance in the Cowboys' 16-0 win over Largo last week. Henley for the season has totaled 67 tackles, 34 for loss and 20 sacks. 

Some may believe this game could finish like the regular season meeting and if so, for those in attendance should be in for a treat of a Black Friday high school football game. 

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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