Ben Acker

The state semifinal playoff game between the Hawthorne Hornets and Blountstown Tigers will remain in Hawthorne on Friday, Dec. 2, despite complaints from…

Coach Jamie Rodgers has transformed the Bradford High School football team – which saw its last two seasons end prematurely in the regional semifinals – into a powerhouse program that is tearing through its competition. The Tornadoes are currently 9-0 on the season and have outscored their opponents 270-21 in the process. The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has the Tornadoes ranked No. 9 in the state and first in the “2S” class. Next in the Tornadoes’ path is the Suwannee Bulldogs, a team that currently has a 7-2 record on the season. Friday’s game against Suwannee will take place at Paul Langford Stadium in Live Oak, Florida, at 7:30 p.m. Both teams will find out their opponent for the first round of the state playoffs Sunday at 11 a.m. during the FHSAA’s bracket reveal on YouTube.

The game will be played in honor of senior offensive lineman Dabien White, who died on Sept. 4 of undisclosed causes.