Three Hillsborough County teams — Berkeley Prep, Jesuit and Tampa Bay Tech — all were undefeated entering the state semifinals. They ended up keeping their perfect seasons intact by reaching the final. It is the first time since 2018 a local team has made a state title game appearance and just the third time three area teams have made it in the same season.
Class 7A
Tampa Bay Tech 42, Lake Gibson 14
The start of Friday’s state semifinals was not exactly what the Titans envisioned.
Quarterback Xavione Washington fumbled near the goal line on a fourth down attempt. Lake Gibson capitalized by driving for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Washington more than made up for the miscue.
The junior quarterback threw touchdown passes to Greg Gaines III and Javion McKay and had another pretty pass to Gaines that set up a short run by Ronald Sims for a score to give Tampa Bay Tech a 21-3 halftime lead.
On defense, the Titans’ biggest task was stopping Braves running back Jaylon Glover, a Utah commit who had rushed for more than 2,000 yards this season. Glover scored twice in the second half, but it was not enough to get Lake Gibson back in the game.
Washington was not done. He added another touchdown on the ground in the third quarter for a 28-17 lead that provided enough of a cushion for Tampa Bay Tech to its first undefeated season intact.
The win also puts the Titans in the state championship game for the first time. They will face Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in the final.
Class 6A
Jesuit 37, Miami Northwestern 12
Five times in the past six seasons, the Tigers made it to the state semifinals but never to the championship game.
On Friday, the drought ended.
Jesuit, ranked 12th in the nation by MaxPreps, ended years of frustration by demolishing perennial state power Miami Northwestern to reach the final for the first time since 1992.
The past three trips the Tigers made in the state semifinals were to Fort Lauderdale or Miami to face teams that would go on to win the title. Twice, it was Plantation American Heritage. The other losses were to Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons and Northwestern.
This time, it was different.
This time, Jesuit was at home.
The Tigers earned the trip by having the highest RPI in their region thanks in large part to beating Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas earlier in the season. That win not only helped Jesuit rocket up the national rankings but also gave the Tigers the confidence they needed to beat elite teams in South Florida.
Led by its passing game, Jesuit got off to a hot start. Luke Knight hit Jarriett Buie on a 20-yard touchdown pass and connected with Liam Conroy on another 15-yard pass for a score to build a 14-6 lead.. Caleb Williams followed by recovering an onside kick that led to a field goal that put Tigers up 17-6 at the half.
After that, Joquez Smith did the rest on offense.
Smith scored three rushing touchdowns in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Jesuit’s defense also did its part in keeping Bulls quarterback Taron Dickens in check. Dickens, who had thrown for more than 3,400 yards and 41 touchdowns entering the game, was held to just two touchdown passes, the last one coming in the fourth quarter when the outcome was already decided. .
Class 4A
Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons 36, Lakewood 18
For one half, everything went the Spartans way.
Montrevious Lloyd scored on a short run and Anthony Colandrea threw touchdown passes to Amari Niblack and Diezel Spann to give Lakewood an 18-13 lead at the half over the defending 4A state champions.
The Spartans were prepared for playing such a strong opponent thanks to a late season schedule that included games against Hollywood Chaminade and Lakewood.
Then everything fell apart.
Turnovers and special teams miscues were costly. The Chiefs took advantage, scoring the final 23 points of the game to reach the final for the second straight season.
Class 3A
Berkeley Prep 42, Lakeland Christian 14
The Buccaneers, who were in the state semifinals for the second straight season, took the next step by reaching the final for the first time in school history.
They did it in convincing fashion thanks to a devastating running game.
Relying on the 1-2 punch of Travis Bates and Xavier Townsend, Berkeley Prep racked up more than 400 yards on the ground through the first three quarters to build a commanding lead.
Bates, who had 1,500 yards entering the game, rushed for more than 300 and scored three touchdowns. Townsend added more than 100 and finished with two rushing touchdowns.
The win sets up a rematch with Hollywood Chaminade in the final. Last season, the Buccaneers lost a 23-21 heartbreaker to the 3A powerhouse in the state semifinals.
State final schedule
Class 3A
Friday (Dec. 10/Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee)
Berkeley Prep (12-0) vs. Chaminade (10-1), 7
Class 7A
Dec. 17 (DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale)
Tampa Bay Tech (14-0) vs. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 7
Class 6A
Dec. 18 (DRV/PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale)
Jesuit (14-0) vs. Pine Forest (12-1), 7
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