MIAMI, Fla. – The Jones Fightin’ Tigers mounted a strong 4th quarter comeback but couldn’t overcome the deficit, falling to American Heritage 33-28 in the Class 4A football state championship.
This was the second straight year the two schools played each other in the state championship. Both times American Heritage won.
“Of course it hurts,” Jones quarterback Dereon Coleman said after the game. “I wanted to go out with a bang; I wanted to go out making history to my school, bringing its first state championship back.”
Jones got out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter before American Heritage tied it 7-7 going into halftime. Jones found itself in a 26-7 hole going into the 4th quarter.
“Offensively, we missed some plays,” Jones wide receiver Larry Miles said. “The defense stood up for us all game. I just feel like the offense could’ve stood up more.”
Jones cut the deficit 26-21 with eight minutes left in the game and again 33-28 with just over two minutes left. But early turnovers, several sacks on Coleman and a muffed punt with under a minute to go put the state title out of the Tigers’ reach.
Coleman and Miles are both seniors, going to Miami and Nebraska respectively. Coleman finished the game with two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Miles finished with one rushing and one receiving touchdown.
Jones has established itself as a powerhouse in Central Florida and looking to reload the roster quickly. Coleman said making the state championship game has become the new standard at Jones.
“I feel like we’ve always been a good team,” Coleman said. “Even when I go off to college and come back and see [Jones], they’re going to be a good team. They’re going to be back.”