Champions Await To Be Crowned At 2013 FHSAA Finals

Last summer Archbishop McCarthy manager Rich Bielski took a trip to visit JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, the site of the 2013 FHSAA state tournament.

Bielski took numerous photos of the ballpark, which he then hung up around the Mavericks clubhouse to serve as motivation for the players all season.

This week, the team will finally get to see the stadium in person, as one of seven South Florida squads that have qualified for this year’s state tournament.

“The field is just so beautiful,” said Bielski. “We’re excited to see Little Fenway, excited to see our boys running around playing the game we all love on that beautiful field. It’s an amazing opportunity and we’re so excited.”

Along with Monsignor Pace, Florida Christian and St. Thomas Aquinas, McCarthy returns to states in search of another title to add to the school’s trophy case.

In the case of the Mavericks, a title this season would also set a state record in making them the only Florida team to ever win four state championships in a row. That quest gets under way on Wednesday May 22nd, when McCarthy faces Edgewater in the Class 6A semifinal.

Of the seven area teams headed to Fort Myers this week, none are more accomplished than the Pace Spartans, a storied program with six state championships earned over the school’s 52-year history. Pace returns for a shot at lucky number seven a year after falling just short on such a bid, and the Spartans will take on Trinity Catholic in a Class 4A semifinal on Monday, May 20th.

Also returning for the second straight year is Class 2A’s Westwood Christian, which begins play Wednesday afternoon against Cambridge.

The Warriors came as close as possible to winning the school’s first state title last season, falling 1-0 in the championship game to Trinity Christian-Deltona a year ago. With both those programs back in the bracket this year, a championship rematch is a distinct possibility.

Westwood returns this year with a tight group that is confident and united, providing just the right mixture of team chemistry necessary on any championship squad.

“Our tears are family in the wood, and that’s how we lead everything,” Westwood Manager Luis Padron said. “That’s why this team wins. That’s how we do it.”

For Jupiter and American, this season also marks a great opportunity for each to take home the school’s first state crown. However, fate will not allow for both to accomplish such a feat, as the two would face each other in the 8A title game should the Warriors get past Lake Brantley and should the Patriots advance past Durant in Friday’s semifinals.

Florida Christian will be looking to add a new title to its rich championship history.

“Really, there’s no pressure on us,” Jupiter Manager Andy Mook said. “Yeah, it’s our first time going to states, but there’s no pressure on us. We just need to keep doing what we do and just have the mentality that if we play our game we’re just going to keep it that way. We’re the ones keeping ourselves.”

St. Thomas Aquinas and Florida Christian will each be chasing their third state title.

The Raiders will begin the quest in Class 7A with a meeting against Haines City on Friday afternoon, while the Patriots will face Melbourne Central Catholic in Class 3A on Monday afternoon.

In the case of both programs, returning to the state tournament is a chance to help restore each respective squad to the prominence they have come to be known by. Each school was among the first in their respective county to win a state title, and traditionally each squad is a contender every year.

But that just means they understand how difficult it is to get this far, and how to enjoy it while still remaining focused on the primary goal.

“It’s going to be an experience they will never forget,” Raiders Manager Troy Cameron said. “I told them not to let it get too big for you and enjoy it.”

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