Celtics season ends with loss to Florida High, 17-12

Trinity Catholic’s quarterback Cole Gonzales (1) leaves the field with Tommy Kinsler (62) as they lose to Florida High during the 3A-1 Regional Final at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. The Celtics lost 17-12 to the Seminoles. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

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Posted November 27, 2021 | By Joel Bronson
joel@ocalagazette.com

In what would be a fiercely contested playoff football game, the Florida High Seminoles from Tallahassee outlasted the Trinity Catholic Celtics by a score of 17-12 at Al Dunlap Field.

Trinity Catholic took the early 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by junior kicker Justin Arroyo.

Kicker Brooks Hickman nailed a 34-yard field goal for the Seminoles to tie the game 3-3 late in the first quarter.

Seminoles senior quarterback Tre Donaldson, an Auburn University football commit, would connect with junior running back Rhyder Poppell on a 54-yard touchdown pass, putting the Seminoles ahead 10-3 with 5:17 left in the first half.

The Celtics would cut into the Florida High lead on an Arroyo 37-yard field goal to make the score 10-6 at the half.

Donaldson would break free for a 42-yard scramble to the Celtics 4-yard line late in the 3^rd quarter. Two plays later, sophomore running back Micahi Danzy would punch it in from four yards out to put the Seminoles ahead 17-6.

The Celtics would score their lone touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run by Marquis Jones. The drive was sparked by a 30-yard pass to from senior quarterback Cole Gonzales to sophomore receiver John Hayes.

The failed 2-point conversion attempt left the score at 17-12 with 9:32 left in the 4^th quarter.

The Celtics defense was able to stop the Seminoles offense on third down with 1:11 left in the fourth quarter, but a disastrous personal foul penalty would give Florida High the first down.

Trinity Catholic was out of time outs and could not stop the clock.

Celtics junior running back Beau Beard led his team with 69 yards rushing but was corralled by the Florida High defense for much of the night.

Donaldson ended the game with 87 yards both rushing and passing for Florida High, overcoming two first-half interceptions to lead the Seminoles to a hard-fought road playoff win.

Florida High will move on to play in the 3A state semifinals next Friday at 7:30 p.m.