FAMU DRS will get the chance to repeat as class 1B state champions after defeating Deltona Trinity Christian 38-6 Friday night at Bragg Stadium.
With a sound passing game and domination on the defensive side of the ball, the Baby Rattlers cruised passed Trinity Christian and will play Jupiter Christian Friday at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando for the 1B final.
Head Coach Ira Reynolds was doused with Gatorade as time expired and was given a hug and a kiss from his wife and daughter.
“It’s an awesome feeling right now. We worked all summer just to get here and now we just need to go finish it,” Reynolds said. In his last game at Bragg Stadium, senior running back Richard Watson found the end zone three times, twice on the ground and once through the air.
“We try to be balanced every week sometimes it doesn’t work out that way but we go into every game trying to be balanced and the offensive line blocked very well so we can do both things tonight,” Watson said.
Baby Rattler quarterback Rayvon Johnson finished 12-18 passing with 186 yards through the air and three touchdowns to three different receivers.
Last year, the Baby Rattlers did it with a vaunted rushing attack and this season they added to their passing package on offense.
“We entered some passing reads and we have a quarterback and receivers with time and able to execute,” Reynolds continued.
Wide-out Jerrod McGee constantly beat the Trinity secondary deep as he caught four passes over 25 yards totaling six catches for 134 yards.
On a night where the Trinity defense was able to hold Watson to just 41 yards rushing on 13 carries, it was running back Kenneth Bryant who ran threw the gaping holes provided by the DRS offensive line.
Trinity looked defeated by the second quarter as their offense strolled on and off the field. Ball jarring hits and takeaways by the Baby Rattler defense set the tone early.
The Eagles didn’t score until the fourth quarter with 9:53 remaining on a 7-yard touchdown reception by Demetrio Edwards from Kendall Miles.
Known for his stellar play on defense, standout junior Willie Ferrell found himself on the receiving end of a 9-yard touchdown reception after lining up at tight end on offense.
“It’s a normal play actually it was a tight end drag one of our best plays and it seems nobody can stop it and that was make second touchdown scoring on that play, Ferrell said.
Last year, the Baby Rattlers dedicated the season in memory of the former football player, David Gibson, who died in a car accident on his way to college.
Players say this season FAMU DRS has been motivated by the lack of respect given for their accomplishments on the field.
Back to back titles could put an end to that notion.
“Nobody respects us and we have to earn respect,” Ferrell continued.