Cambridge Christian
At a glance
Coach: Chad Walker (first season)
Class: 2A, Region 3
Last season: 8-3 (lost in region semifinals)
Key players: S/RB Jaiden Bivens, Jr.; C Josh Campbell, Sr.; WR Noah Froelich, Sr.; G Sakai Hall, Sr.; LB Noah Kent, Sr.; WR Gavin Martinez, Sr.; DL Josiah Massie, Sr.; LB Kyle Pierre, Sr.; WR Preston Snider, Sr.; QB Chris Stephenson, So.; DL/OL Dyquan Vance, So.; QB Connor Zaragoza, Jr
Schedule
Sept. 4 at St. Petersburg Catholic W 42-7
Sept. 11 at Northside Christian
Sept. 18 at Trenton
Sept. 25 at Fort Myers Evangelical Christian
Oct. 2 Bye
Oct. 9 vs. Seffner Christian
Oct. 16 at Auburndale Jordan Christian Prep
Oct. 23 vs. Carrollwood Day
Oct. 30 vs. Orlando Christian Prep
Nov. 6 at Lakeland Victory Christian
Things to know
Road warriors
Cambridge Christian was unable to play at Skyway Park this month after Hillsborough County health officials and administrators decided to hold off scheduling games due to coronavirus concerns. With their home field temporarily off limits, the Lancers scheduled their first four games on the road in hopes of returning to Skyway Park for their home schedule in October. Cambridge Christian got off to a solid start, beating host St. Petersburg Catholic 42-7 in the season opener.
Offensive balance
Chris Stephenson emerged as the starter at quarterback and threw for 113 yards in the win over the Barons. The sophomore has plenty of targets with three returnees — Noah Froelich, Gavin Martinez and Preston Snider — who combined for more than 1,000 yards receiving last season. Cambridge Christian found another playmaker in Pate West, who had four receptions for 60 yards in the opener. But the ground game really set the tone against St. Petersburg Catholic. Stephenson and Kaden Brown each rushed for more than 100 yards. They were able to move the chains thanks to the paths cleared by Josh Campbell and Sakai Hall, the team’s top two returning offensive linemen. In all, the Lancers rushed 318 yards.
De-fense! De-fense!
Walker said one of the biggest strengths of this team is its defense, particularly the play of returning linebackers Noah Kent and Kyle Pierre. Kent had a monster game against St. Petersburg Catholic, finishing with 10 tackles and a sack. Jaiden Bivens, who moved to safety in the new defensive scheme, also played well (six tackles).
