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The Hawthorne Hornets football team is playing for the Rural Class state championship for the sixth consecutive year.

Hawthorne will face Blountstown, a new opponent after Madison County was eliminated from the playoffs.

A victory would secure Hawthorne's third state championship in four years, a first for any team in Alachua County history.

The team is known for its strong coaching, chemistry, and defense rather than highly-ranked recruits.

Hawthorne football can reach immortality Friday night.

For the sixth year in a row, the Hornets have reached the Rural Class state championship game, and for the first time since 2022, their opponent will not be Madison County.

MadCo was bounced out of the playoffs by upstart Blountstown, which has carried that momentum al

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