Amer. Heritage 17, Berkeley Prep 9, Final

Dominick Ciao told his Berkeley Prep football players to expect a dogfight.

And for one half, they fought the good fight.

The Bucs took a nine-point lead against American Heritage into halftime, prepared to shock their doubters.

"We were all so excited. We were on top of the world,'' Berkeley senior wide receiver/defensive back Christian Hardegree said. "We knew we had a four-quarter ballgame and we just didn't come out and play four quarters.''

American Heritage (11-1) scored 17 consecutive points in the second half to defeat Berkeley, 17-9, in the Class 3A state semifinals. The Stallions will play Madison County for the 3A title next Saturday.

While American Heritage's best player, junior running back Greg Bryant, turned on the jets in the second half, Berkeley's best player, senior athlete Nelson Agholor, stood on the sideline with a shoulder injury.

Agholor didn't produce his normal big numbers in one half of action, but his 43 yards of offense helped the Bucs (12-1) take the early lead.

"We had some chances, and in a game like this and (against a) team like this, you've got to capitalize on those chances,'' Ciao said. "They played their hearts out tonight, that's all you can ask. I'm really proud of our seniors, to get us to this game.

"(Nelson's) our big-play guy, but those things happen in games and you just keep on battling and our kids did.''

In building its 9-0 first-half lead, Berkeley took advantage of several American Heritage miscues, including a first-quarter fumble it turned into a touchdown. Schyler Miles plowed in from the 1 for the Bucs' first score of the night, which was set up by Hardegree's diving 15-yard catch from senior quarterback Destin Nichols.

After forcing its second three-and-out in the first half, Berkeley drove to the Stallions' 1, but failed to get in the end zone and turned the ball over on downs.

On the next play from scrimmage, Berkeley's defense gang-tackled Bryant for a safety to take a 9-0 lead.

As it has done all season, Berkeley's defense was strong in the first half and shut down a potent ground game. Bryant was held to 45 first-half rushing yards. Overall, American Heritage managed 38 total yards in the first half and crossed midfield only once.

That all changed at the beginning of the third quarter. American Heritage blocked a Bucs punt after Berkeley's first possession, and two plays later, Bryant scored the Stallions' first of two second-half touchdowns.

American Heritage adjusted to Berkeley's blocking scheme and Bryant plowed ahead for 169 second-half rushing yards. His total (214 rushing yards, one touchdown) would have been much higher, but holding calls negated two touchdowns.

B—Miles 1 run (Vogel kick)
B—Safety, tackled in end zone
A—Bryant 7 run (Cordero kick)
A—FG Cordero 40
A—Gaskins 1 run (Cordero kick)