The Berean Christian School varsity football team traveled to Tampa on Friday, Oct. 16 to play Cambridge Christian School, coming away with the Bulldogs’ first loss of the year.
Cambridge was a replacement game added at the last minute, since the scheduled Bayshore Christian School team was suffering from injuries and could not field a team. The Bulldogs have stepped out of conference two previous times this year and found victory. But the Cambridge Lancers’ size, talent and speed proved to be too much for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and started from their own 15-yard line. Quarterback Chris Mauck hit on seven of eight passes, and two middle runs put the Bulldogs at the Cambridge 14-yard line. The Bulldogs were in the red zone with control the ball for the first six minutes of the game. Then, a penalty, a sack and an incomplete pass stopped the drive. The field goal was blocked, and Cambridge took over.
With a dominant running game, Cambridge put three touchdowns on the board before Berean could adjust. Once the Bulldogs starting loading the box to prevent the run, the Lancers dialed up a couple of long passes and led 28-0 at the half. Berean moved up and down the field all night, but could not finish the drives.
The Lancers continued a running game that pushed Berean into a deeper hole. Cambridge headed into the fourth quarter with a 42-0 lead. However, the Bulldogs did not give up and managed to avoid the shutout. Late in the fourth quarter, Mauck found his speedy receiver Nick Doucette racing down the right side line and connected on a 67-yard touchdown pass to get Berean on the board. The final score was 42-6.
While Berean suffered its first loss of the season, the team had already clinched the top seed in the SSAC playoffs. The Bulldogs went undefeated in their division and won the Gulf Atlantic Championship for the second year in a row. Mauck will lead the Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. against Christ Church School. The game will be played at Wellington High School, and the entire community is invited to come out and support the Bulldogs. Admission is free.
