Berkeley Prep Buccaneers (4-2, 0-1) at Lakeland Christian Vikings (7-0, 0-0)

Head Coaches:
Berkeley Prep – Dominick Ciao (8th season at BPS, 61-30 record)

Lakeland Christian – Wayne Peace (5th season at LCS, 38-12 record)

2014 result:
Berkeley Prep defeated Lakeland Christian 33-28 (Berkeley Prep leads series 3-1)

Players to watch: Berkeley Prep
WR/TE – Jacob Mathis
RB/WR – Gordon Stetson
QB – Davis Koetter
MLB – Robert Baldy
DL/OL – Jon Turkel

Players to watch: Lakeland Christian
WR/DB – RB Marlow
QB/DB – Larenz Deshazor
RB/DB – Benjamin Sirmons
LB/RB – Adrian Morris

What’s at stake:
3A-4 postseason hopes can be maintained–or destroyed. There’s only three teams in this district, therefore a loss for the Bucs–who dropped a 34-13 contest to Tampa Catholic week six before their bye, are effectively eliminated. A loss for the Vikings sends this district into another potential tiebreaker–such as the case last season. Lakeland Christian has yet to play TC, which won’t happen until October 30th.

The quick strike:
The Bucs won this contest last season 33-28, yet both teams have a different feel to them which should make for another instant classic. These two teams have played games decided by five points or less the last two years while splitting the results, 1-1. The Vikings have apparently kept their momentum after losing QB Tyler Wilkerson to a knee injury in the 2nd quarter of the Calvary Christian game. Enter Larenz Desahzor and RB Marlow for the Vikings who are making things happen on offense–and defense. The two have combined for 5 interceptions. Marlow’s even been credited with four blocked field goals as well. Berkeley Prep’s Robert Baldy and Jon Turkel have shined for the Bucs on defense while the names we’ve come to know in Jacob Mathis and Gordon Stetson have kept the ship steady on offense.

Lakeland Christian wins IF:
On offense–the ball stays (meaning=no turnovers) in the hands of the best players on the field. Defense picks their poison on defense–or tries to stop both–but either way they choose, the Vikings will have neutralized the threats that Jacob Mathis and Gordon Stetson pose. LCS doesn’t even have to shut down Mathis, but step in front of one of those Davis Koetter passes–better yet turn that into instant-offense and this game takes on an entirely different dynamic.

Berkeley Prep wins IF:
Lean on the leadership that got a victory in this same environment-same postseason implications as last season. Block out the atmosphere and realize they’ve done this before. Just like the preview said–a win versus LCS isn’t an upset, regardless of the Vikings #2 ranking–(aka the “chip-on-the-shoulder” mentality.)