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Hawks: Throw Out The Rankings

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By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

SEFFNER - The last thing Armwood coaches want to see tonight is a repeat of the last two times the Hawks met Miami Washington.

Not the outcome, mind you, but the drama.

You see, the Hawks will definitely take the outcome of those games in 2004 (a 36-35 win) and 2005 (a 37-34 win), which vaulted Armwood into the state title game. But they'd rather do it without the nail-biting, hair-pulling, last-second come-from-behind victories that came with it.

"That would be great," Armwood offensive coordinator Chris Taylor said with a smile. "But I don't guess that is what's going to happen."

It's probably safe to assume tonight's Class 4A state semifinal between nationally-ranked Armwood and nationally-ranked Miami Washington will come down to the final play. Then again, there's always the chance this game could turn out like the first time Armwood visited Traz Powell Stadium in Miami, when the Hawks blew past an overmatched Tornadoes squad 34-14 in the 2003 semifinals and won the program's first state title one week later.

"I don't know if it's going to be smooth sailing down there," Armwood coach Sean Callahan said. "Coach Tim Harris has them rolling down there, so we're expecting another close game."

The Hawks find themselves in a bit of an unfamiliar role this season - as underdogs. Don't agree (and the Armwood players and coaches were mixed on their feelings on the subject)? Well, here are some things to support that position.

The Tornadoes have been ranked above the Hawks all season in every poll - state and national - in which both teams appear. Armwood has to go on the road, which is tough at any time in the season but compounded in the playoffs, especially with long travel distance.

And, of course, there's the thought that eventually things are going to swing in favor of Miami Washington, and what better time for that to happen for the Tornadoes than after losing to a Hillsborough County team in each of the past four Class 4A state semifinals, the first three losses to Armwood before last season's setback to Plant.

Then again, the Hawks have found ways to trump those things.

For instance, rankings don't seem to mean much to Armwood players.

"They're ranked higher than we are, but we really don't think they're a better team than us, though. We really don't let the rankings get to us," Hawks senior running back Eric Smith said. "It comes down to Friday nights when the lights kick on."

And the Hawks have proven they're capable of winning at Traz Powell Stadium, evidenced by the team's 2-0 record there.

But the icing came from the mouth of Taylor, when responding to a question of if he and the Hawks are worried about things eventually swinging in Miami Washington's favor. It's reasoning like this that makes you believe Armwood will beat all the odds and secure a berth in the state title game for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

"You know, if you talk about things as a whole, if I flip a coin five times, then the odds are pretty good that one of those is going to land on heads," Taylor said. "But if I flip a coin one time, which is what this year is, just one time, then it's 50-50."

CLASS 4A STATE SEMIFINAL

Armwood (13-0) at Miami Washington (12-0)

WHERE/WHEN: Traz Powell Stadium, 11380 NW 27th Ave., Miami; 7:30 p.m.

OUTLOOK: This is the fourth meeting between the teams in the last five seasons, all of which have occurred in the state semifinals. Armwood has won the previous three, including two games at Traz Powell Stadium. This is the fifth consecutive season Miami Washington has advanced to the state semifinals, but the Tornadoes are 0-4 in the previous appearances, which includes a loss to Plant last season.

This will be Armwood's first game on artificial turf this season. … The Hawks offense, behind RB Eric Smith and QB Mywan Jackson, is averaging 286 rushing yards per game and 6.75 yards per carry in three postseason games. The Hawks defense is allowing an average of 4.8 points per game (13 games) this season and has scored more touchdowns (three) than it has allowed (two) this postseason.

Washington's defense, which has posted eight shutouts and has allowed six total points in three playoff games, is led by senior DB Brandon Harris, who recently was named Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year. Harris is the son of Coach Tim Harris. The Tornadoes' offense is led by junior QB Torrance Moise, who has thrown for 1,207 yards and 17 touchdowns after taking over in Week 3 for injured senior Sancho McDonald (knee; out for season).

Reporter Adam Adkins can be reached at (813) 657-4533 or aadkins@tampatrib.com.

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