ORLANDO-Despite another district title and solid regular season, Trinity Christian heard the talk all year but ignored it.
The gossip around town was what is wrong with Trinity. A loaded schedule featuring Cocoa (4A state champs), Columbia (7A playoff team), University Christian (Class 2A state champs), Tallahassee Lincoln (7A team), Tallahassee Godby (5A team), Fort Pierce Central (8A team), IMG (national power), Pine Forest (6A team) had the Conquerors 7-3 and ready for the playoffs.
That wasn’t good enough for most people. Trinity didn’t care and reeled off four straight wins in the playoffs to capture their fourth straight state title. Trinity capped their season with a 24-13 win over Hollywood Chaminade at Camping World Stadium.
It wasn’t easy though as Chaminade made them work for it.
Beginning with the first play from scrimmage, Chaminade sent a message they weren’t scared either.
Auburn commit Shaun Shivers took a handoff and raced 80 yards untouched giving the Lions a shocking 7-0 lead just 45 seconds into the game.
Trinity didn’t waste any time responding either as Rasheed Martin (181 yards, 1 TD on 28 carries) ran 45 yards on the Conquerors first play of scrimmage. Which led to DJ Matthews 13 yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Washington tying the game at 7-7 four minutes in.
Both teams settled down after that and began to play defense as three consecutive drives ended with three straight three and outs.
Jordan Williams picked off backup Trinity quarterback Austin Thomas pass which led to a Chaminade 23 yard field goal giving Chaminade a 10-7 lead minutes into the second quarter.
That would be the last lead for Chaminade as Trinity went on a 17-3 run from that point on.
Martin’s 13-yard run and DJ Matthews 21-yard run put Trinity ahead 21-10.
Matthew’s score was set up by Wade tight rope interception at the 25-yard line.
A game changing bizarre play middle in the middle of the third quarter not only changed the game but made things a bit heated.
As Trinity lined up for a field goal, the Conquerors pulled out a fake and threw a pass backwards which fell incomplete. Chaminade picked up the loose ball and ran it back 80 yards for a score believing they had just cut the lead to 21-17.
However, officials ruled the holders knee was down and the play was dead and the touchdown was called back. Setting off the Chaminade coaching staff and players.
As the clock began to wind down and head into the fourth quarter things began to get a bit chippy as both teams traded personal fouls.
Minutes after the takedown and flag fest, Derrick Smith lit up a Chaminade receiver setting the crowd off again.
Both teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring at 24-13.
Derrick Smith picked off Henry Columbi’s pass with under a minute remaining to close out the game as well.
Trinity now joins Miami Central, Booker T Washington, Suwannee and North Florida Christian as teams to win four state titles in a row.
The Conquerors can now become the first team to win five in a row with a state title next season. For now they will enjoy their fourth in a row and worry about five come August.
Trinity Christian 24, Chaminade 13
Scoring Summary
1st
C: Shaun Shivers 80 yard run (Daniel Longman kick) (7-7)
T: DJ Matthews 17 pass to Isaiah Washington (Frank Onate kick) (7-7)
2nd
C: Daniel Longman 23 field goal (10-7)
T: Rasheed Martin 17 yard run (Onate kick) (14-10)
T: DJ Matthews 21 yard run (Onate kick) (21-10)
4th
C: Daniel Longman 30 yard field goal (21-13)
T: Onate 52 yard field goal (24-13)
State title game appearances
1999: Frostproof 6, Trinity 0
2002: Trinity 42, American Heritage 7
2003: Trinity 17, Fort Meade 7
2009: American Heritage 30, Trinity 20
2010: Trinity 27, American Heritage 10
2013: Trinity 34, Clearwater Central Catholic 7
2014: Trinity 27, American Heritage 7
2015: Trinity 30, American Heritage 3
2016: Trinity 7, Chaminade 7
