Bucs hold on, win Division 2 state title

Holding an off a late surge in the 4th quarter, Caravel's impressive Thunder and Lighting combo of Pierce Ripanti and Darnell Savage Jr. brought the Division 2 state title back to Bear 39-29 to cap a perfect 13-0 season.

The Bucs didn't have to do much through the air, rushing for nearly 450 yards on the ground on 59 carries. Ripanti hard up the middle to the tune of 250 yards and 2 touchdown breaking off a 48 yard run and 30 yard run in the 2nd half to help set up scores. Savage went for 160 yards and 3 touchdown with the first being an electric 68 yard jaunt on a double reverse.

The Bucs were especially dominant in the first half, scoring easily on their first possession which consisted of a 68 yard drive capped by a Ripanti 4 yard run. Savage's 68 yarder gave the Bucs their 2nd score and Aaron Hudson, also impressive scored on a 28 yard catch from Derrick Groomes just before halftime open up a 19-0 lead.

After a Savage 3 yard touchdown run, the Silver Eagles would finally answer on the ensuing kickoff as senior Jeff May raced back 85 yards to finally put Hodgson on the board. Savage would answer May with a 9 yard touchdown run to end the 3rd quarter.

Although they were down 31-7 Silver Eagles weren't done as a Raymond Jones pass to May went 59 yards for a score and suddenly Hodgson was back in the game in the early 4th quarter. Ripanti and the Bucs would put the game away on the ensuing drive as Ripanti carried the Bucs downfield, punching in their final score, a 9 yard run with 7 minutes left to play.

In a span of 3 minutes, a 25 yard touchdown pass to Ruben Sanders from Jones followed by a 68 yard fumble return by Dakota Atley pulled Hodgson within ten points 39-29.

But like the Bucs had been doing all night behind Ripanti and Savage, a final 60 yard drive minus points put the game away.