By Andy Warrener
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Carrollwood Day School (CDS) football team traveled to Naples First Baptist Nov. 23 high off the program’s first playoff win.
The Patriots (10-2) left with their worst loss since 2009, falling 56-28 in the Class 2A regional finals.
“We got shell shocked tonight,” said CDS coach Lane McLaughlin. “They were the better team tonight, there’s no doubt about that.”
The Lions’ (12-0) power run game ground down the Patriots starting on the opening possession, which the host took 66 yards on five plays for a touchdown.
CDS answered with a touchdown drive, capped by a 58-yard pass from senior quarterback Vidal Woodruff to senior Andy Embody to make it 7-7.
That was as close as the Patriots would come.
The Lions read-option offense could not be stopped, scoring touchdowns on all six drives of the first half to enter halftime ahead 42-7.
Things went downhill for CDS even before kickoff. Senior linebacker Dominiq Sicardo injured his ankle in warm-ups, and senior athlete Nate Lewis also couldn’t play with injuries. Senior lineman Adam Morse and senior running back Robert Davis missed time with head and abdominal injuries, respectively.
“At one point we were down nine guys,” McLaughlin said. “You can’t keep up when you’re losing guys like that.”
The methodical running of First Baptist consumed the shorthanded Patriots defense. Quarterback Jonah Bueltel and running back Chris Dorrill had more than 300 rushing yards in the first half.
CDS never rolled over, scoring on its opening drive of the second half finished with a 43-yard touchdown grab by Embody. The Patriots’ hopes were dashed as First Baptist answered with another score that stretched the lead to 49-14.
CDS recovered three forced fumbles in the second half, which turned into rushing touchdowns by Davis and Embody to close deficit to 49-28 in the fourth quarter.
The comeback unraveled from there.
Woodruff threw an interception on a fourth-and-11 and was sacked and fumbled on the next possession. The Lions knelt out the clock with just more than two minutes left.
First Baptist rushed for 479 yards on 44 carries and eight touchdowns. They only attempted one pass.
Davis had 101 rushing yards to finish his career with a Hillsborough County record 5,576 for his career. Woodruff completed 13 of 22 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. Embody had 11 catches for 204 yards and two scores.
The Patriots outscored the Lions 21-14 in the second half. McLaughlin reminded his team about the context of the game and their accomplishments this season.
“This is one night of your life,” McLaughlin said. “I know it stings. It’s gonna sting for a while … But the seniors and this team have raised the bar for CDS football.”
