Although the Strawberry Crest Chargers kept things close early on, the Bloomingdale Bulls eventually outmatched them on Friday, Oct. 28.
Playing in front of a lively homecoming crowd, the Chargers tried to recapture last week's offensive success, but ended up taking a 43-3 loss to the Bulls.
Bloomingdale struck first at the end of the first quarter, when Jadarrien Quails broke off a 33-yard run and the Bulls' two-point conversion attempt worked. Crest answered immediately, returning the ensuing onside kick to Bloomingdale's 14-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Shortly afterward, Bloomingdale made it a 14-3 game with a 70-yard touchdown run out of the wildcat formation by D.J. Williams.
The Chargers did show flashes of promise on offense, using players such as Zion Carr, Frank Murphy and Jaquell Narine to make big gains from time to time. But penalties, Bloomingdale awareness and bad luck prevented Crest from putting any more points on the board, while the Bulls were able to cruise to more touchdowns.
After Quails closed out the first half with a short rushing touchdown, the Bulls opened the second half with a 45-yard pick six and, shortly afterward, a safety. Bloomingdale scored two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, using Quails and fullback Colin Errity, and the Chargers closed things out by reaching deep into the playbook for some trick plays.
In other area action, Plant City traveled to Lennard and made it out with a 10-8 win.