WEST PALM BEACH – How long is too long?
After not winning a game since 2019, the Berean Christian Bulldogs were able to capture a triumph moment against Miami Country Day Saturday night (Oct. 1) in a slugfest. It was a big sigh of relief for Berean Christian as it earned every bit of its 14-10 victory.
With only three seniors on the squad – Ormond Russell, Richtie Joseph, and Nathan Arevalo – this youth-laden team found a way to win.
Miami Day got on the board first on a 65-yard punt returned by freshman Aiden Atoa. But this did not make Berean Christian flinch at all.
On the ensuing kickoff, Russell answered right back with an 80-plus-yard return of his own. He was able to make a few guys miss and let his track speed do the rest.
“I watched film, but I didn’t really think he had a boot (strong leg) like that.” Russell said of the Miami County Day kicker. “My wedge was somewhere, but I was able to make something out of nothing and score at the end of the day.”
Junior quarterback Dominic Mastrogiacomo found open running lanes all night and got the Bulldogs into the red zone multiple times.
Mastrogiacomo scored on a 16-yard scramble out from the backfield where he made four guys miss on his way to the end zone. This gave the Bulldogs a lead that they would never give up.
“We’ve had a struggle finding a center and having good snaps tonight helped push our offense,” Mastrogiacomo said. “When I was able to tuck the ball and run, I was able to make some space with that and score. I want to send my prayers and thank the offensive line for blocking tonight.”
Micah Kemp put on a defensive showcase and was a complete ball hawk for the Bulldogs as he recorded two interceptions that contributed to Miami Day scoring only 10 points on the night.
“They were running slants across the middle. I’d read it,” Kemp said “I’d pick a side and see the quarterback sitting still.”
When asked how were they able to hold the Spartans to only 10 points, Kemp replied.
“Everybody fire off the ball and rally to the ball,” Kemp said.
The Bulldogs did not stop with Kemp.
Michael Nelms recovered a fumble for Berean that eventually led to a score, while Joseph led the surge up front with multiple tackles for loss and kept the defense hyped up all night with his high-energy play.
A name everyone will be very familiar with soon in Palm Beach County is eighth grader Jermonty Kimbrough Jr.
Playing at running back and defensive back for the Bulldogs, he tallied over 100 yards and recorded multiple tackles on defense, which led the charge to multiple goal line stands.
“This game means a lot to me,” Kimbrough said. “To bring a win back to Berean after that drought, it means a lot to us. We took pride, we took heart, and left it all out on the field.”
Berean Christian head coach Mario Jackson was very emotional in his post game interview as one could see the joy in his eyes from finally getting a well-deserved victory.
“I’m so happy and excited for these guys,”Jackson said. “When you go that long without a win, programs tend to go down a little bit. But I’m so thankful for the guys we have in our program and our administration never losing faith in us.”
Jackson continued as he spoke on the growth of his squad.
“Our guys are young but they are starting to understand what success looks like, feel, and the preparation for it,” Jackson said. “It’s been a long time coming and I’m grateful for it.”
The travel time was well over one hour for Berean Christian. But the team was all smiles as they represented well for Palm Beach County and captured their first win of the season and in three years.
The Bulldogs (1-5) will get some much-needed rest as they head into their bye week. It will also give them sometime to get some guys back that were injured prior to their Saturday matchup.
Berean Christian will be back in Miami on Friday, Oct. 14 to take on Archbishop Carroll at 3:30 p.m.
