JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Excitement reached a fever pitch in Florida on Monday, as fans and families geared up for the national championship showdown between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers, set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium.

Jacksonville residents are particularly enthusiastic about supporting a local hero, Carson Beck. The former Mandarin Mustang quarterback led his high school team to a state championship five years ago. At that time, Toby Bullock was the offensive coordinator for the Mustangs; today, he serves as the team’s head coach and remains one of Beck’s most ardent fans.

“I’m a nervous wreck, you’d think I was the one about to play,” Bullock admitted.

Reflecting on those high school days, Bullock cherishes the memories of coaching Beck, recognizing his exceptional talent even in those early years.

“He was immensely talented when he was in high school,” said Bullock. “God gave him a gift for throwing a football. God gave him a gift for knowing football, so I’m not surprised by it.”

The 2018 Mandarin Mustangs stormed through the season, winning the state championship and earning Beck the highest honor in Florida high school football, the Mr. Football award.

But Bullock says Beck’s greatest strength isn’t just his arm, but his willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

“If Carson had to run the ball 75 times a night to win, he’ll run the ball 75 times a night to win,” said Bullock. “If he has to throw 70 times to win, he’s gonna, he’s gonna do what it is. When we won in ’18 with him, we had one particular play that I told him, I said, we’re gonna keep running until they take it away. He goes, not a problem, and they never took it away, and he ended up throwing a state record.”

Mandarin High School has had a lot of top-tier talent come through over the past several years, but Coach Bullock says he still gets nervous watching his former players take the field.

“I’m actually probably a little bit more nervous watching him play than I am coaching high school football,” said Bullock with a laugh. “It just, you know, I get more nervous watching him just because I don’t know what’s coming so it’s a little…I don’t do well in the games, watching the games.”

So instead of going out and watching the national championship game with other Miami supporters, Coach Bullock said he’ll be at home, watching the game with his wife, proudly representing his Mustangs.

“It’s pretty awesome to be a Mandarin Mustang right now,” said Bullock.