TAMPA — With its quarterback on the sideline on crutches, Chamberlain was forced to rely on its running game even more than usual. Behind the running of Nick McNeal and Xavier Johnson, Chamberlain jumped out to a lead Thursday and was never really threatened in a 32-3 Class 7A, District 7 win against Wiregrass Ranch.
But the win may prove costly for the Chiefs (3-4, 2-1), who lost starting quarterback Ronnie Scott on the opening drive to an ankle injury. The severity isn't known. That shifted backup Dakarai Highsmith into the lineup and the Chiefs' running game in high gear.
McNeal ran for 58 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the opening and closing scores, and Johnson added 55 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bulls (0-7, 0-3) managed just 49 yards of offense while turning over the ball twice, being stopped on downs twice and having a punt and a field-goal attempt blocked. Wiregrass Ranch's lone score came on a 35-yard field goal Bryce Wilson that narrowed the gap to 6-3 in the first quarter.
Rod Gipson, Times correspondent