Armwood Football: Hawks Advance in FHSAA Playoffs With Hillsborough Win

The last time the Hawks faced the Terriers, it was a one-point game, favor Hillsborough. This time around, when it mattered more, Armwood came out ahead, with a two-point lead in the second round of the 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football playoffs.

The Hawks beat the Terriers, 9-7, at Hillsborough High's Chelo Huerta Stadium on Nov. 23.

• See game coverage at TBO.com
• See game coverage at Tampa Bay Times online.

Next up for the Hawks, in the third round of 2012 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) playoff action, is a Nov. 30 contest against No. 1-ranked Gainesville.

“I really think with the [Florida High School Athletic Association] investigation and everything, I can’t even believe that we’re still here, I really can’t,” coach Sean Callahan, referring to the high-profile probe that cost Armwood its 2011 state title, told the Tampa Bay Times. “They played hard. Our kids play hard.”

The Florida High School Athletic Association in June held the program accountable for using ineligible players and then stripped the team of its 2011 Class 6A state championship. The Hawks' 2010 state runner-up status was negated as well.

According to a Forbes sports & leisure report, the school had to "send back the trophies associated with those appearances" and the FHSAA "also fine the school $12,743, and made it forfeit 26 wins."

The Hillsborough County School Board on Sept. 11 officially adopted a new policy affecting student-athletes who transfer to new schools. (See, Armwood Sanctions Lead to New Hillsborough Student-Athlete Policy.)

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ARMWOOD HAWKS 2012 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE / SCORES

Date Opponent Field Score / Time Sept. 1 Brandon Armwood Win (55-0) Sept. 7 American Heritage Armwood Loss (36-28) Sept. 14 Tampa Bay Tech TBT Win (30-0) Sept. 21 Leto Leto Win (49-0) Sept. 28 Jefferson Armwood Win (35-21) Oct. 5 Sickles Armwood Win (20-16) Oct. 12 Strawberry Crest S. Crest Win (35-18) Oct. 18 Hillsborough Hillsborough Loss (0-3) Oct. 26 Plant Plant Loss (19-20) Nov. 2 King Armwood Win (19-8) FHSAA Playoffs Nov. 16 Largo Largo Win (10-6) Nov. 23 Hillsborough Hillsborough Win (9-7)