Class 3A, District 4 Champion: Lakeland Christian (8-1, 3-1) sat at home as
Berkeley Prep (7-2, 2-2) hosted Fort Meade (6-3, 2-2) and Tampa Catholic (3-6, 2-2) for the right to be named district runner up and advance to the playoffs. Berkeley was the number 1 seed. So Tampa Catholic and Fort Meade squared off first. It looked bleak to say the least for TC as the first two scores of the game came in 46 seconds and were scored by the Miner defense. Stripping TC RB Devan Barrett for a TD and sacking TC QB Kevin Knox for a safety.
The balled bounced in TC’s direction as Tyler King fumbled on the kick off return and TC recovered at the -47. TC moved the ball inside the red zone and Barrett did the rest, scoring from 8 yards out. TC trailed 9-7 with 8:18 left.
Big KOR by Tyler King gets the ball to the -40. FM gets out of trouble with fake punt. Throws a lateral on the next play that’s fumbled and recovered by TC. 5:44 left. Tampa Catholic would give it to Barrett again after shaky start and he went “Beast Mode” carrying team, scoring his second TD of the game.
TC LB Cody Endris made the play of the game with a huge TFL on 4th down and 5 around midfield. The Crusaders would get the ball back and kill the clock to win the game 14-9.
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Tampa Catholic advanced to play the top seeded Berkeley Bucs and it was all Bucs from the start. Berkeley’s defense forced a three and out on TC’s first possession. Berkeley started their first drive at midfield. QB Brad Mayes did much of the damage on the ground before hitting his TE on 1st and 15 to get the ball inside the red zone. Mayes to Mathis on 2nd and 15 for a gain of 12. Mayes rush for first down and then Mayes to Mathis for TD on 3rd and goal. Bucs killed 6 mins off the clock.
BP 7
TC 0
5:50 left
TC’s third possession started at the -37. Grant Watson sacked Knox on first down. On 3rd and 13, Knox throws and incomplete pass. But on 4th and 13, TC converts. Last chance for TC with the clock ticking when Knox scrambled on 2nd and 5 at the 42, and fumbled. BP recovers and that’s “All she wrote.”
Final
Berkeley Prep 7
Tampa Catholic 0
District Champ: Lakeland Christian
Runner Up: Berkeley Prep