ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Jeremiah Hamlin rushed for 117 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown, to lift Jacksonville University Christian to a 28-10 victory over Homestead Dade Christian in the Florida Class 2A state football finals.
Hamlin's fourth-quarter touchdown on Friday gave University Christian a 20-10 lead with four minutes remaining. Dade Christian (12-1) led 10-6 at halftime but lost a fumble and went 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions in the second half.
University Christian (13-1) raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when freshman Hussein Howe scored on a 23-yard fumble return. Dade Christian answered with a 36-yard field goal and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Gary Sampson to Terrence Alls.
The Christians, however, shut down the Crusaders in the second half and dominated with a strong ground game. Quarterback Tim Betros went 3-for-6 for 68 yards and added 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Howe's second touchdown, a 26-yard run in the third quarter, gave the Christians a 14-10 lead they would not relinquish.
Alls, who is committed to Duke, finished the game with seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Sampson threw for 189 yards and added 51 rushing yards.
