TAMPA — With one of its main offensive weapons sidelined with an injury, Berkeley Prep went back to the basics in a win over Sarasota Booker. The Buccaneers used a stifling run defense led by linebacker Joe Schiano and defensive tackle Bo Peek, tying the Tornadoes’ hands behind their backs on offense and forcing a one-dimensional approach. Booker left itself no margin for error, committing more yards in penalties than it gained on offense in the first half. After a scoreless first quarter, Berkeley’s Brad Mayes got the scoring started and the Bucs didn’t look back from there. No Jacob Mathis? No problem for Berkeley Prep as running backs Gordon Stetson and Addison Grams ground out more than 200 yards rushing.
Key drive: Booker’s first two of the second half. On their initial possession, the Tornadoes went three and out. On their next drive following a Berkeley punt which backed the Tornadoes up to their goal line, Peek pounced on quarterback Jeremiah Henderson for a safety to make the score 16-0.
Play of the game: In the third quarter Henderson, Booker’s 6-foot-4, 245-pound quarterback, ran free on a scramble and directly in front of Berkeley’s Nicholas Kavouklis, standing at 6 feet and 225 pounds. The play ended with a loud hit and while Kavouklis was slightly dazed he made the stop, forcing a fourth and short that Booker could not convert.
Stars of the game: Berkeley Prep’s Gordon Stetson (26 carries, for 116 yards and a TD) and Addison Grams (11 carries for 81 yards, along with two receptions for 40 yards).
Stats of the game: Booker finished with just 1 yard rushing and Berkeley Prep controlled the ball for 27:35, piling up 20 first downs to Booker’s seven.