Class 2M

2022 FHSAA Football State Championships 2 M

Friday’s area region semifinal matchups

No. 4 Lakewood (7-4) at No. 1 Tampa Catholic (9-1), 7

This is the first time the teams have met since the 2020 region semifinals. The host Crusaders jumped out to a 14-0 lead in that game, only to watch the Spartans come roaring back to tie it at the end of regulation. Tampa Catholic ended up prevailing 17-14 in double overtime in an epic showdown.

Lakewood, which reached the state semifinals last season, started this year 2-3. Since then, the Spartans have won five of their past six games, the lone loss coming against Lakeland during that span.

Tampa Catholic, meanwhile, has won eight straight, six by double digits. The biggest win during this streak was against Jesuit (20-19) in the regular season finale, marking the first time the Crusaders beat their rival in 22 years.

The big matchup could be how much Lakewood’s defense can slow down a Tampa Catholic offense that is averaging 40 points per game.

Stat leaders

Category	Lakewood	Tampa Catholic
Passing yards	Anthony Colandrea, 2,090 (17 TDs)	Trey Hedden, 1,662 (22 TDs)
Rushing yards	Tra’quan Johnson, 691 (5 TDs)	Lewis Carter, 555 (13 TDs)
Receiving yards	Aviyon Mack-Smith, 787 (5 TDs)	TJ Moore, 941 (11 TDs)
Tackles	Jeremy Willoughby, 55	Lewis Carter, 91
Sacks	Taveon Wheeler, 11	Jeremy Patterson, 11
Interceptions	Gage Nix, 2	Charlie Quintans, 3

No. 3 Berkeley Prep (8-3) at No. 2 Calvary Christian (9-2), 7

This is a rematch from a game the host Warriors won 42-10 two months ago.

Since that loss, the defending state finalist Buccaneers have won six straight. Their recent success is due in large part to a defense that allowed a combined 33 points during this recent win streak.

The strength of the defense is the line, led by five-star prospect Keon Keeley and Brice Stevenson, who has a team-leading 63 tackles.

That unit will have to find a way to slow down the Warriors, who have won five straight thanks to a prolific offense that is averaging 41 points per game.

But do not sleep on Calvary Christian’s defense, which has allowed 14 points or less in four of its last five wins.

Stat leaders

Category	Berkeley Prep	Calvary Christian
Passing yards	Troy Reader, 505 (4 TDs)	Jacob Drackett, 2,233 (30 TDs)
Rushing yards	Dallas Golden, 1,166 (15 TDs)	Sean Cuono, 1,448 (15 TDs)
Receiving yards	Damien Henderson, 152 (2 TDs)	Joshua Robinson, 750 (10 TDs)
Tackles	Brice Stevenson, 65	Callahan Blair, 113
Sacks	Keon Keeley, 17	Callahan Blair, 8
Interceptions	Rico Garcia, 6	Daylan Moore, 4