FHSAA Football Class 4M State Championship Preview: Columbus vs. Mandarin

Columbus (12-2) vs Mandarin (11-3); Insight on the 4M championship game and staff picks

Circa 2018, the Columbus Explorers and Mandarin Mustangs clashed for the Class 8A state championship, with the matchup becoming Chapter 1 in this series. 

The Mustangs then under the watch of head coach Bobby Ramsay defeated the Explorers 37-35 in a thriller at Camping World Stadium. Now nearly five years later and the two teams are matching up once again for all of the marbles. 

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Different head coaches, but still very experienced coaching staffs heading up talented rosters on both sides. Could we be in store for another thriller between the two programs? We will find out Friday afternoon at Bragg Memorial Stadium. 

The paths on getting to this point have been somewhat similar, with each program having their shining moments throughout the course of the 2023 season. For Columbus, they're back in the state championship game for the fifth time in the last decade and searching for a repeat after last year's thrilling overtime win over Apopka for the 4M crown. 

Though some of the same faces from last year's state championship winning team are back, they're some new ones as well dotted up along both sides of the ball, including an emerging star in the secondary. 

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Returning for his second start in a state championship game is quarterback Alberto Mendoza, who has been the steady hand for the Explorers in two seasons as the starting signal caller. Mendoza in 2023 has completed 159-of-223 passes for 1,950 yards and 22 touchdowns against just five interceptions. 

Columbus' rushing attack isn't as potent from a year ago as they employ a running back-by-committee backfield, with Edward Bandy leading the way with 637 yards and six touchdowns. Also expect tailbacks Agyeman Addae (558 yards, six touchdowns) and Antwuan Simmons (237 yards, four touchdowns) to see carries as well. 

The go-to-guys in the receiving coorps for Mendoza will be shifty slot receiver Jose Leon and tight end Benjamin Blackburn, who is committed to Stanford. Leon has hauled in 62 passes for 670 yards and six touchdowns and Blackburn has 40 catches for 641 yards and eight scores. Keep an eye on junior wide receiver JJ Gomez to make an impact as the wideout has 25 catches for 346 yards and three scores. 

Columbus' defense overall is one of the better units in the state, anchored in the front seven by linebacker Hector Chavez, who has made 80 tackles this season. Joining Chavez in creating havoc for opposing offenses is 4-star edge rusher Willis McGahee IV (Nebraska commitment), who has tallied 43 tackles and 14 sacks.

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One of the best defensive backs in all of the Southeast right now is junior Bryce Fitzgerald. The dynamo has been a terror for opposing offenses as Fitzgerald has intercepted 10 passes through 14 games. 

When you begin to look at Mandarin's offense, it's a take your pick of who will make a major impact. There is many options for the Mustangs to choose from and it starts with Florida State commitment Tramell Jones under center. Jones has thrown for 2,940 yards, 31 touchdowns versus seven interceptions. 

The Mustangs' backfield is led by senior Tiant Wyche, who might be one of the most underrated running backs in the Sunshine State. Wyche has carried the rock 186 times for 1,709 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. Also plan to see the Deshard Westcott share the bulk of the carries with Wyche, as the senior has rushed for 1,103 yards and six touchdowns. 

Alabama commit Jaime Ffrench will be the top receiver in this matchup, with the junior heading into Friday afternoon's game with 55 catches for 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns. Keep an eye a slew of other receivers alongside of Ffrench, including Ethan Sherman (24 catches, 394 yards), Carlos Witherup (20 catches, 279 yards) and Wyche also has 15 catches for 300 yards out of the backfield. 

Defensively for the Mustangs, they have three players that have recorded over 100 tackles this season. Leading them all is senior linebacker Jackson Copeland, who has racked up 129 tackles, 17 have gone for a loss along with nine sacks and three fumble recoveries. Copeland is joined by edge rusher Grant Pettigrew, who has tallied 101 tackles and six sacks, and Israel Ratliff (104 tackles, 14 for a loss). 

The Mandarin secondary is headed up by junior 4-star sensation Hylton 'Drake' Stubbs, who has made a team-high six interceptions, and Penn State commit Jon Mitchell (67 tackles, four interceptions). 

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SBLive Sports Florida staff picks

Andy Villamarzo: Mandarin, 31-18 

Gary Adornato: Mandarin, 31-28

Joe Frisaro: Columbus, 20-17/OT

Adam Fisher: Columbus, 24-21 

Reed Green: Mandarin, 35-23 

Alejandro Tamayo: Columbus, 22-19 

Bill Kemp: Columbus, 35-30

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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