Fort Meade squares off against Dixie County in Rural Invitational state final: Live updates

Follow along with High School On SI for live updates from the Rural Invitational state championship game

Fort Meade assistant football coach Anthony Russell during football practice Wednesday December 4 , 2024 in Fort Meade Fl. Ernst Peters/The Ledger / Ernst Peters/The Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Friday afternoon starts the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships at The Villages' The Range H.G. Morse Stadium with the Rural Invitational final between Dixie County (7-6) and Fort Meade (5-7).

The Miners will take aim at winning their second state title in program history while the Bears attempt to win their first ever championship in school history. Follow along at High School On SI for live updates throughout the afternoon between the two programs in Mid-Central Florida.

3 Things To Know About The 2024 FHSAA Football Rural State Championships

Predicting the winners of the 2024 Florida high school football playoffs 1A state semifinals

(Keep refreshing page for live updates from the game)

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Fort Meade	0	14	7	0	21
Dixie County	0	0	7	6	13

PREGAME

Rural Invitational championship is slated to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time

DIxie County wins the coin toss and elects to receive

1st quarter

First turnover of the game, as Fort Meade fumbles on its first play from scrimmage. Dixie County with the ball back deep in their own territory.

Dixie County QB Drew Pleasant goes off with an injury on the final play of the drive and Bears end up punting away.

Fort Meade goes for it on 4th down from the Dixie County 29 and an incomplete pass turns it over on downs.

Drew Pleasant not out to start Dixie County's ensuing drive, but comes back for second snap.

Dixie County punter kicks into the blockers in front of him and Fort Meade has the ball at the Dixie County 27.

Fort Meade attempts a 39-yard field goal by Lex Duarte, which goes low and to the left. Once again Miners fail to take advantage of possession deep in Dixie County territory.

2nd quarter

On 3rd-and-20 from the Dixie County 30, Jayden McCutchen hits Nasir Berrien in the end zone for a touchdown and the Miners strike first taking a 7-0 lead at 7:56 in the quarter.

Another big play on 3rd down for Fort Meade, this time a 13-yard TD from McCutchen to Cayden Clark, it's 14-0 Miners with 2:18 left in the half.

Fort Meade has gotten deep into Dixie County territory on every drive. First three ended in a fumble, turnover on downs and missed field goal. Now two straight touchdown drives.

And Fort Meade takes a 14-0 lead into halftime

3rd quarter

Cayden Clark, with a touchdown catch and several other plays on both sides for Fort Meade, goes down with a left leg injury on the opening possession of the half.

On 4th-and-inches from the Dixie County 15, Fort Meade's Omari Russell takes a direct snap, runs right and finds his way to the end zone. The Miners now with a commanding 21-0 advantage at 7:37 in the third.

Mister Williams jumpstarts the Dixie County offense with a long run and caps a fast drive with a 1-yard TD, a much-needed score for the Bears to make it 21-7 Fort Meade with 4:57 left in the quarter.

Cayden Clark is back out on the field for Fort Meade, nursing an ankle injury. Didn't play defense on the last Dixie County drive.

Another key playmaker goes down for Fort Meade, as Omari Russell seems to have a cramp.

4th quarter

Omari Russell is back out there for Fort Meade.

Jaheim Taylor with a 40-yard reception and Dixie County in the red zone again. The Bears have a different energy now.

Taylor takes a direct snap and scores on a 2-yard run, Dixie County now only trails by one score, though the extra point was blocked. Fort Meade leads 21-13 with 6:10 left.

Dixie County gets the ball back on the Fort Meade 24 with 3:34 left, needing a TD and 2.

Dixie County converts 4th-and-4 from the Fort Meade 30 with a 14-yard pass from Pleasant to Keydran Teague to keep drive alive.

Big personal foul call on Fort Meade for tripping, it's down to the Dixie County 28 with under a minute left.

With 25 seconds left, 4th-and-10 from the Dixie County 28 and Omari Russell picks off a long pass. Only six lefts after the return, this one is over.

A kneel down and that'll do it. Fort Meade wins the Rural FIT championship over Dixie County, 21-13.

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi