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Chaminade-Madonna makes the plays it needs to make

One big defensive stand turned the tide in a 23-21 victory over Berkeley Prep.
 
Austin Dean (14) and his Berkeley Prep teammates fell to Chaminade-Madonna 23-21.
Austin Dean (14) and his Berkeley Prep teammates fell to Chaminade-Madonna 23-21. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Published Dec. 5, 2020

TAMPA — Simply put, Chaminade-Madonna made the plays that three-time defending state champions make.

Battling host Berkeley Prep evenly throughout Friday’s Class 3A state semifinal, one big defensive stand ultimately turned the tide, leading the squad from Hollywood to a 23-21 victory and its fifth straight championship game berth.

After playing field position with a late-third quarter punt that pinned Berkeley Prep (7-2) at its own 5-yard-line, Chaminade (8-1) saw its defensive line force a fumble — the Bucs’ second turnover of the night — with junior Brian Dilworth recovering at the 19. Three plays later, freshman Davion Gause took a Wildcat snap and bulled four yards over right tackle with 52 seconds left in the quarter for his third touchdown of the night and what would be an insurmountable 23-14 Lions lead.

“Every time my name is called, I try to make a big play,” said Gause, who produced in the clutch repetitively en route to a 111-yard rushing night. “I take a lot of pride in that.”

Showing the spirit that drew repetitive post-game praise from head coach Dominick Ciao, Berkeley Prep rode the strong arm of 6-3 senior Gavin Rupp (188 passing yards) to a pressure-packed but productive drive. Shaking off a 12-yard sack by Allan Haye, Rupp delivered strikes to R.J. Garcia and a 31-yard bomb to C.J. Hawkins on third-and-22. Moving 61 yards into the red zone, fullback Ross Miller bulled in from a yard out to get the Bucs within a pair with 5:13 left to play.

“We have great respect for (the Lions) and I’m proud of our football team,” Ciao said. “We competed every down, every second.”

Key plays from seniors Bryan Miller (five tackles, one for loss) and Austin Dean (three tackles for loss) forced a Chaminade three-and-out on its next possession, but Berkeley suffered the same fate via a Jamaal Johnson sack, the Lions’ fourth of the game. Gause’s final carry picked up a first down, allowing Chaminade to run out the clock.

“We take a lot of pride in our state titles, because we know how much hard work it takes to win these games,” Gause said.

The game appeared like it would be a high-scoring affair as the two squads scored on five of its first six possessions.

Chaminade struck first on a 30-yard Samir Atassi field goal, but Berkeley Prep answered on an 18-yard Rupp-to-Xavier Townsend connection. Gause’s 10-yard romp to the end zone put the visitors back on top, but the Bucs responded on a nine-yard Travis Bates run. The Lions took the lead to stay when Gause blasted 26 yards off right tackle midway through the second quarter.

“I just think we couldn’t sustain the ball on offense, and (Chaminade) put together a couple of drives,” Ciao said. “But it was a tremendous year and I’m so proud of our seniors and our team. We came here to win and we didn’t quite get it done.”