Ocala Fl- It was lots of offense in the Class 3A FHSAA state semifinal Friday night, when Trinity Christian (Jax) visited Trinity Catholic (Ocala) for the chance to go to the championship game. Ironically, it was a glaring contrast to how both teams arrived to the game. Trinity Catholic’s Head Coach John Brantley entered the State Semifinals having defeated two previous playoff opponents by a score of 96-0.
While Head Coach Verlon Dorminey’s Trinity Christian Conquerors had set precedence on defense as the the only team in the state to hold opponents to one touchdown or less in eight consecutive games prior to last week. In the beginning it seemed as if this trend would continue for the Conquerors.
After a nice run by Trinity Catholic’s Jamarian Samuel on their first drive, Trinity Christian’s C.J Ross, Lucius Lattimore and Christian Ellis would stuff the run forcing an early punt.
Trinity’s offense would go to work quickly as Kaleb Killian executed two nice runs for first downs on the first drive. Marcus Burke would also get in on the action with three catches on the first drive to move the sticks.
The drive would end with Killian plowing in for a 1-yard score to give Trinity Christian an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. It would be a sign to come for the Celtic defense on the night.
After another stop by the Trinity Christian defense, their offense would pick up where they left off on their first drive. Jordan connected with Fred High Smith on a zip line pass across the middle for a first down. Killian would again gain yardage in the run game, which set up a touchdown pass to Burke in the corner of the end zone. With 5 minutes left in the first quarter, Trinity Christian held a 14-0 advantage.
Trinity Catholic was billed as a tough team that keeps coming at you and that’s exactly what the Celtics did. Trailing by two touchdowns they didn’t abandon their game plan, instead sticking with the run. It paid off when Jamarian Samuel banged his way into the end-zone. The extra point was blocked as the Celtics trailed 14-6 in the second quarter.
In games earlier this season, Trinity’s offense might’ve struggled at this point in games but not anymore. With a healthy Marcus Burke and Kaleb Killian, the Conqueror offense operated like a well-oiled machine. So much so, that it was able to catch the Celtic defense focusing on those two weapons which opened up other options. None bigger than an incredible pitch and catch from Jordan to wide receiver L.J Kelley, who took it 80 yards for the responding score. Trinity Christian held a 21-6 advantage in the second quarter.
The Celtics answered with a quick score of their own when T.J Snowden got open in space for a big catch from quarterback Cole Gonzales. The play set up Samuel’s second touchdown of the night, following the blocks of Florida commit 6’5 Jake Slaughter and Notre Dame commit 6’7 Caleb Johnson.
Yet Trinity Christian had a bruising offensive line as well anchored by 6’7 300 pound Austin Barber. Barber and his fellow linemen would open gaping holes for Killian as he did the rest. The senior put Trinity Christian up 28-12 after a run off the left side. At the half ,Trinity Christian led 28-12.
In the early third, Trinity’s offense would stall giving way to Trinity Catholic’s run game. After a sack by DE Jaylen Williams, and a fumbled snap Trinity Christian was forced to punt the ball back to Trinity Catholic. The Celtics capitalized as Samuel scored his third touchdown of the game.
However Kaleb Killian would shut the door on any comeback attempt on the evening. The talented athlete would score on a 40-yard touchdown run extending his team’s lead to 35-19 and killing any momentum the Celtics tried to muster.
Killian would score two more times in the game on run plays of 40 and 13 yards to cement a memorable night for the embattled senior. Killian, who suffered a season ending knee injury early last season, and who missed the first three games of this his senior season, made up for lost time with a monumental effort. He finished with 175 yards, and 5 touchdowns on the night.
Trinity Christian (11-1) won it’s 11th game in a row, defeating Trinity Catholic 56-33 and avenging a playoff loss to the Celtics just a year earlier. The Conquerors are set to face #7 ranked Chaminade-Madonna (8-1) who defeated (7-2) Berkley Prep 23-21 in their state semifinal contest.
Said Coach Dorminey after the game ” we knew we wanted to get to this game, it’s big , just getting a little revenge”. Speaking of the rematch with Trinity Catholic. “We did enough and now we get to go to the state championship game”
Trinity Christian Stats:
Kaleb Killian- 21 carries, 190 yds, 5 TD.
JaCory Jordan 13 for 16, 204 yds, 2 TD; 7 carries, 85 yds.
Marcus Burke 9 receptions, 104 yds, TD
LJ Kelley 2 catches, 83 yds, TD
