First Baptist football team on the cusp of program's first state championship game

First Baptist has reached its second straight football state semifinal game and it's no secret what has powered the Lions this season — a high-octane offense.

FBA (8-2) will be looking to unleash another offensive barrage when they play host Friday to Munroe Country Day (6-6) in a Class 1S contest at 7:30 p.m.

The Lions have averaged 37.2 points per game, which is second-best in Southwest Florida and is a big reason they are the only Collier County team still standing in the FHSAA playoffs in the state Final Four.

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FBA made it to the same round last year, albeit in Class 2A, and fell to Hialeah Champagnat Catholic 27-8, but with the new Metro/Suburban realignment, the Lions don't have to face squads from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. After last season, local teams were just 29-80 (.266) in the postseason against schools from those counties.

Instead here comes Munroe from Quincy, just west of Tallahassee along I-10. FBA's offense could make it a long drive back for the Bobcats

Leading the charge is Clemson commit Olsen Patt Henry. At 6-foot-3, Henry is the area's only receiver to eclipse 1,000 yards, and he did it for the second year in a row. This year, he's up to 57 receptions for 1,107 receiving yards with 13 touchdowns while lining up at wide receiver and tight end.

"It means a lot," Henry said. "It gives me confidence because I have trust in my quarterback, I have trust in my offensive line, and I trust my coaches that they have a game plan for me. Then it's just executing."

Head coach Billy Sparacio says that the play calling is certainly influenced by personnel, but at the end of the day, players make plays.

"In high school, you got the kids that you get, so we tweak our offense based on the kids' skill set," he said. "And you know, we're pretty blessed this year. We've got a great group of kids, and they're the ones who should get credit for all the statistical stuff. They're the ones throwing it, catching it, and making people miss."

Another historic-level talent contributing to the postseason run is Rich Mellien, who has done virtually whatever the Lions have needed during his four years with the program. A Naples Daily News Football Offensive Player of the Year finalist when he was a freshman in 2019, Mellien has 5,273 total yards with 44 touchdowns for his career between passing, rushing, and receiving.

"Whenever coach comes to me and he says they're struggling or need someone to score, I'm right there," said Mellien, who has played quarterback, running back and wide receiver. "I already know what time it is when the ball is in my hands. I just do special things."

Mellien is part of a balanced attack that keeps defensive coordinators honest. Opposing defenses aren't able to rely on shutting down Henry, Jayden Petit, and Preston Shemansky out wide, or else Mellien will blow through gaps for long gains, just as he has done for most of his varsity career.

"It's super valuable," Sparacio said. "I think it's great to develop that run game so they can't just put nickel and dime packages out there."

Another invaluable part of the Lions' offense is the offensive line, made up of Tyler Fink (left tackle), Caleb Rodriguez (left guard), Brett Rosano (right guard), Josh Bertgold (right tackle), and Cade Mitchell (center).

"The key ingredient is the five guys up front," Sparacio said. "If they don't execute properly, we don't stand a chance. And those are the guys that really don't get a lot of attention, but they're key."

Mitchell, a senior, says good communication is the foundation for the offense's success.

"No. 1 is communication, probably," he said. "So if I make a call and they do the opposite, it's going to mess everything up. If we don't do what we're supposed to up front, then everything falls apart on offense."

"Sure we've got great skills, and a quarterback, and guys can run fast," Sparacio said. "But we need time, and we need a good snap, we need all these things that people take for granted. And all of that stuff has been super."

The running back that's lining up behind that offensive line is one of the area's best in Jaden Booker, who transferred from Palmetto Ridge in the offseason. Booker eclipsed the 5,000-yard mark last week in FBA's win over Moore Haven, becoming the third running back in Collier County history to surpass 5,000 yards on the ground.

Booker (5,006 yards, 53 TDs) is likely to overtake Herschel Troutman this Friday for second place all-time in the county. The former Barron Collier standout ended his prep career with 5,029 yards.

Two seasons ago, Booker managed to get to a regional final with Palmetto Ridge but came up short against Dunbar in the regional finals. Now, Booker's looking to write the final chapter of a storied career with a state championship.

"One of the first things I said to the team when I got to FBA was that I'm trying to win a ring," Booker said. "Going through the season, our mentality was to play one game at a time until we reach the end goal. Now the end goal is almost here. If we play smart, fast, and physical like I knew we can, we'll get the job done."

Quarterback Ethan Crossan expects his squad to continue its dominance Friday night.

"Just take care of business," he said. "Just play with their hearts out, and play fast. that's what it comes down to, play fast."

Naples Daily News Sports Reporter Alex Martin contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: FBA, powered by its offense, on the cusp of 1S FHSAA football title game