There’s a good chance that the western communities will have a pair of teams competing in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A and Class 4A flag football state finals, which are scheduled to be held in Tampa from May 8 to May 10. Those two flag football teams are from Wellington High School (Class 4A) and Seminole Ridge High School (Class 3A).
Wellington is the top seed in Class 4A, Region 3. After completing the regular season with a record of 11-1, Wellington swept both games in its district tournament to capture the championship. That included a 25-0 win over Royal Palm Beach High School on Tuesday, April 15, and a 32-13 victory against Palm Beach Gardens High School on Thursday, April 17.
On Wednesday, April 23, the Wolverines defeated Freedom High School, 39-6, in the regional quarterfinals. Five days later, on Monday, April 28, Wellington hosted Harmony High School in the regional semifinal and defeated the visiting Longhorns, 25-20. That propelled the Wolverines (15-1) to a Class 4A regional final against Fort Pierce Central High School (18-1), which was set for Thursday, May 1 at Wellington. The result was not available at press time.
A victory against Fort Pierce Central would send the Wolverines to the FHSAA’s Class 4A state finals in Tampa. This season, Wellington’s key players have been senior quarterback Ava Hanson, senior dual-threat safety/wide receiver Jordan Fernandez and junior defensive rusher Lyan Hernandez.
Seminole Ridge is a top seed, as well, in the FHSAA’s Class 3A, Region 2. After finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record, Seminole Ridge won both games in its district tournament to win the championship, including a 47-7 victory against Fort Pierce Westwood High School on Tuesday, April 15 and a 28-14 win over South Fork High School on Thursday, April 17.
Regional quarterfinals were held on Wednesday, April 23, when the Hawks trounced Lakeland High School, 53-0. On Monday, April 28, in the regional semifinal round, Seminole Ridge dominated Martin County High School, 33-0. It was the seventh shutout victory of the season for the Hawks. That win advanced the Hawks (14-2) to a regional final against Belleview High School (16-3) on Thursday, May 1 at Seminole Ridge. The score was not available at press time.
A victory against Belleview would earn Seminole Ridge a berth in the FHSAA’s Class 3A state finals in Tampa. On the field, Seminole Ridge is led by the play of sophomore quarterback Aubrey Fogel, sophomore safety Chachi Saunders, and senior receivers Lola Agosto and Dakota Parks.
If Seminole Ridge makes it to the state finals in Tampa, the squad will be in pursuit of the sixth flag football state championship in school history to go along with the previous state championships won in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
