Armwood defeats Miami Central but could lose 6A title

ORLANDO - They are state champions -- at least for now. 

The Armwood Hawks have completed their undefeated season and have seized the state championship.  The question is whether they will be able to keep it.

It was a surreal spectacle of a championship game since both Armwood and Miami Central are under investigation.  Who ever wins may well have their title taken away after the fact.

A reality family members along the sidelines were well aware of.

“It wouldn’t be the same but the kids would know they won it on the field,” says Delvin Bailey.

Matt Jones hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help lift Armwood to a 40-31 victory  in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 6A championship game.

Armwood (15-0) took a 16-0 lead in the first quarter after Jarvis McCall and Leon McQuay scored defensive touchdowns.

Central (13-1) battled back in the second quarter when Dalvin Cook scored on a 63-yard run and Joseph Yearby added a 7-yarder right before the half to close the gap to 16-14.

After a 36-yard field goal by Emilio Nadelman made the score 30-24, Jones answered back with the long score. Central had a last chance trailing 37-31 but were flagged for a questionable intentional grounding call and could not convert a 4th and 15.

However, there's a possibility Armwood will eventually have to forfeit the title.

It was an I-Team investigation last month which uncovered evidence Armwood Senior Jack Lightsey, who transferred to the school last Spring, didn’t make a full and complete move as FHSAA rules require.

Miami Central Quarterback Austin Stock is under investigation too after evidence surfaced he’s been living in a local hotel.

“We won it on the field.  What we have to deal with we will but I like where my team is at,” said Armwood Head Coach Sean Callahan.

The Florida High School Athletic Association will make its decision in a few weeks but for right now Armwood is the Class 6A state champion.