JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Bolles high school, fresh off a 20-13 win over Raines Friday night, is back in the class 4A state semifinals. The Bulldogs (10-2) are no stranger to the state-semis having played in them in each of the last three seasons.
This time around the Bulldogs will travel to Madison County (10-3) to take on the Cowboys who according to Bolles head coach Corky Rogers, are a tough team to play on the road.
"In all of my years of coaching I think it's the hardest place to play in the state of Florida," Rogers said. "It's just a tough atmosphere so we've got our hands full. They play well at home. Their fans are very good. It's kind of a dark atmosphere and it seems to favor the home team. So you've got to go in ready to play if you're going to beat them there."
Besides the environment, another thing Bolles will have to be ready for is they play of Madison County quarterback Akevious Williams. Williams leads the Cowboys in passing and rushing having eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in both categories this season.
With the threat of Williams offensively for the Cowboys, Bolles will look to win the time of possession battle Friday night. If they can control the ball and limit the opportunities for Williams and the Cowboys, Rogers believes that should put the Bulldogs in a position to win the game.
"He's the key to the whole team I believe," Rogers said. "When he's played he's played very very well. To beat Madison we're going to have to control the football because they are very good on offense. If we can control it and keep our defense off the field we'll have a chance but if it's three and outs it's going to be hard on us."
Bolles and Madison County kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The winner will face of the Cocoa vs. Washington matchup in the state championship next weekend.
