Tampa Bay Tech posts third straight shutout

TAMPA — After completing a 21-yard pass against Tampa Bay Tech in the second quarter, Wharton had another set of downs and an eventual possession at the Titans’ 7-yard line with the game still within reach. The action.

But as it has so often this season, Tampa Bay Tech found a way to keep the opposition out of the end zone.

The Titans punted Walton on two of the next four plays to keep the Wildcats (5-2) off the board. Tampa Bay Tech was shutout for the third straight time and tied for fifth place this season after going 28-0.

“It’s nice because you don’t have to worry about the offense when you know you can stop at any time. It doesn’t put as much pressure on your offense,” said Rod Gainey Jr. “You don’t have to score every time, but you want to score.”

And the Titans scored, thanks mainly to Gainey.

The 5-foot-11 junior — who returned to Tampa Bay Tech for his freshman season after spending a year at Bradenton IMG Academy — rushed for 193 yards and did his best to lead the offense. The Titans defensive prowess.

Quarterback Xavione Washington scored a short touchdown on the first possession of the night to put the Titans (8-0) on the board. The next ended with a Wharton interception, but the Titan defense forced a turnover on the Wildcats’ next drive. The Titans wasted no time getting the ball back. Gainey ran for 17 yards on the first play to set up his 35-yard touchdown run on the following play.

“It definitely makes things easier when you know you have a stud in the backfield who can go from 0 to 60 and take a long time,” trainer Jason Roberts, who now has more than 1,000 wins, said. yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on the season. “It’s always a risk that the other team has to blame.”

There was plenty of time left for another quick Titan score after he took Wharton off the board on a trip to the red zone late in the first half. Washington connected with Johnny Roseberry on a 77-yard pass and set up a 16-yard scoring pass from Jaden Roseberry to Sinker Stiles to give the Titans a 21-0 halftime lead.

After halftime, Tampa Bay Tech’s defense continued to put on a show, forcing back-to-back punts, then intercepting Wharton quarterback Jackson Jensen twice, the second of which gave the Titans a short field and quickly turned it into a 5-yard rush. Going out of style.

Tampa Bay Tech is known for its strong defense; The Titans haven’t missed a regular season game in over two years.

And while the defense can win games with its physicality, Roberts said Tech’s success on Fridays starts with a different job on Mondays.

“Guys are completely locked into our game plan week in and week out. Paying attention to details. … We’ll do very little physical work on Monday, it’s all about going above and beyond, breaking down the opponent and just taking what we want to take away,” Roberts said. “Our kids are very happy to do this.”