Semifinal Showdowns Set for Friday
The Florida High School Athletic Association flag football state semifinals will open on May 15 in Tampa, bringing together two unexpected contenders: Tocoi Creek and Bolles. Both teams have defied expectations to reach the final four, setting the stage for a weekend of high‑stakes play.
Tocoi Creek, a program that finished the regular season with a 6‑7 record, has become the first squad from its school to advance this far. Coach Anneliese Herrera praised the squad’s resilience, noting that sophomore Addy Curry’s 1,697 passing yards and 24 touchdowns have been pivotal.
Across the field, Bolles enters its inaugural season as a varsity flag football program, relying heavily on eighth‑grade standouts. Kayla Bliss, an eighth‑grader, has already amassed 3,071 passing yards and 53 touchdowns, while Patricia Freeman leads the receiving corps with 13 scores and 876 yards.
Key Matchups and Times
The semifinals will feature Tocoi Creek versus Park Vista at 1:30 p.m., a clash that pits Curry’s arm against Park Vista’s aerial threat Jordana Weil, who tops the state with 3,329 passing yards and 54 touchdowns. Sydney Hock, the team’s top receiver, adds 1,411 yards and 31 scores.
In the other bracket, Bolles will meet Miami Edison at 4:30 p.m. Miami Edison’s Rakyia Louis brings 3,558 passing yards and 53 touchdowns to the contest, while Bolles’ eighth‑grader Kayla Bliss will look to extend her prolific output.
Both victories will earn their squads a spot in the championship games on May 16, where the winners will compete for the state titles in their respective classifications.
The upcoming finals promise a showcase of emerging talent, with players like Addy Curry, Kayla Bliss, and Jordana Weil poised to cement their names in Florida high school football history.