The 2009 Football Rewind: District 1-1B, 1-2B (See Archives, Standings, Stats)
None of the four area teams in District 1-1B or 1-2B made the postseason in 2009, but that didn’t mean the campaign was devoid of excitement.
Chipley, Marianna and Walton tied with 1-2 records in 1-2B to setup a three-way tiebreaker for the runner-up spot. Pensacola Catholic ran away with the district crown with a 3-0 record and finished 11-2 overall in a run that ended in the state semifinal.
Walton and Marianna (5-5 overall) drew the first quarter of the tiebreaker, with Chipley awaiting the winner. Marianna’s Fidel Montgomery and Chris Bowers scored touchdowns to tie the quarter at 14-all, but Walton pulled away for a 29-14 victory.
Chipley, which finished 5-5 overall, rebounded from a winless 2008 season in Rob Armstrong’s first season and was primed for a playoff spot. Walton, however, milked much of the quarter’s clock, scoring with less than 3 minutes to play. A missed onside kickoff attempt led to a Walton interception return for a touchdown. Chipley could do little more, fumbling on its last drive in Walton’s 14-0 victory.
Walton finished 4-7 overall and lost to Tallahassee North Florida Christian 34-21 in the Region 1-2B semifinal (opening round). Chipley and Marianna went on to win season finales against Graceville and Sneads, respectively.
Hopes for Graceville and Cottondale faded in 1-2B, as both teams struggled to find footing in the competitive grouping. Jefferson County finished 4-0 in the district for the title, while Tallahassee FAMU was 3-1 and earned the runner-up spot.
FAMU lost to Hawthorne 26-6 in the opener. Jefferson County defeated Mayo Lafayette 39-7 in the first round and was ousted by Hawthorne 38-28 in the Region 1-1B championship game.
Graceville was the closest of the two area teams to make the playoffs. But an 18-16 loss to FAMU Oct. 9 ultimately turned the tide. The Tigers had a chance at redemption against Jefferson County Oct. 23, but fell hard 42-6.
Graceville finished 3-7 overall and had a 2-2 district mark with victories over Cottondale and Niceville Rocky Bayou Christian.
Cottondale drifted toward a winless season until a 56-16 win over Rocky Bayou Oct. 23 ended a six-game slide. The Hornets lost their final two games and finished 1-8.
Next week: A look at the Bay County-heavy District 1-3A, which featured Arnold, Bay and Rutherford competing for playoff spots in an eight-team group.
The 2009 Football Rewind schedule
- July 13: District 1-1A
- July 20: District 1-1B and 1-2B
- July 27: District 1-3A
- Aug. 3: District 2-1A, 2-4A
