Berkeley Prep 21, Fort Meade 0, Final

The dream season will continue.

With a 21-0 shutout victory against Fort Meade in the Class 3A-Region 3 finals on Friday night, undefeated Berkeley Prep advanced to its first state semifinal and will play at Delray Beach American Heritage next week for a chance to play in the state championship.

American Heritage defeated Fort Lauderdale University, 31-20.

The win marked the first time since 1985 that a Berkeley Prep football team has been one game away from playing for the state championship. In 1984 and 1985, Berkeley went undefeated to reach the region final four, only to lose both seasons to Belle Glade Day High.

Last year, Fort Meade eliminated Berkeley from the state playoffs at Fort Meade, 35-14. This year's meeting was a different story.

Senior running back Nelson Agholor rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns and the defense pitched its fifth shutout of the year, collecting three sacks with a fumble recovery in the process. Fort Meade (9-3) was forced to punt eight times.

"Our defense was tremendous tonight," Berkeley Prep coach Dominick Ciao said. "We got them off the field and did a good job of corralling them and made some plays. I'm just really proud of our football (team)."

Senior quarterback Destin Nichols threw for 55 yards with a touchdown, a 10-yard connection to Vic Pellegrino in the end zone in third quarter for the final score of the game.

"To do it at home in my senior year is just awesome," Nichols said. "It's the best feeling in the world, in all honestly. It's amazing and there is no feeling to beat this and I just love it."

After a scoreless first quarter, Agholor scored two touchdowns on plays of 9 and 2 yards to give the Buccaneers (12-0) a 14-0 lead entering halftime.

"I think we got it done by being tough," Agholor said. "Preparation was key all week and we prepared well like we always do. I think tonight, it came down to how tough we wanted to be and just willing ourselves to victory."

"He's just a big-time player and he made some big plays tonight," Ciao said of Agholor.

Junior running back Devonte Clark led the Miners with 55 rushing yards.

"This is just a great team win and I'm so proud of our seniors to get us to this point," Ciao said. "We're in the hunt, it's a new season and we're 2-0. We'll probably have a tremendous football team, whoever we play, (that) will be a challenge next week."

The Berkeley-American Heritage winner will play the winner of the Madison County-Ocala Trinity Catholic game in the state championship on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.

B – Agholor 9 run (Vogel kick).
B – Agholor 2 run (Vogel kick).
B – Pellegrino 10 pass from Nichols (Vogel kick).