Chamberlain 35, Middleton 14

TAMPA — For a Chamberlain team with sights on a deep postseason run, coach Billy Turner wants to see his team already in midseason form in the season's early weeks.

Past Chamberlain teams have sputtered in September. And Friday's game against Middleton — and its stingy defense — offered a solid second-week test. And the Chiefs passed with a commanding 35-14 victory over the Tigers at John Adcock Stadium.

Despite the score, it didn't come easily. Chamberlain (2-0) struggled with its passing game, and three touchdowns that came off Middleton turnovers ended up being the difference.

"Our defense played great," Turner said. "We play about 15 guys on defense and we played well tonight."

Up 7-0 late in the first quarter, senior defensive back Chris Frierson recovered a bad punt snap on Middleton's third possession and returned it for a 6-yard touchdown to give Chamberlain a two-touchdown lead.

The Tigers' offense, led by freshman quarterback Greg Windham, drove deep into Chamberlain territory on its next possession, but Chiefs cornerback Rico Valdez returned a Windham fumble 67 yards for a 21-0 lead.

"We kind of helped them along," Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said. "Something here and something there and before you know it, it's a lopsided game."

Down 28-7 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers (1-1) drove into Chiefs territory with a 15-yard pass interference call, then Windham's pass was intercepted by Frierson. Two plays later, running back Kenny Allen's 81-yard run set up a 4-yard score by Dontae Aycock that sealed the win.

Though the Chiefs offense managed just three first downs in the second half, Chamberlain's triple-option racked up plenty of yards. Allen finished with 156 yards on 12 carries and Aycock had 71 yards on 11 carries.

Tigers running back Rodney Johnson led Middleton with 84 yards on 22 carries.