The Berkeley Buccaneers started their season off scorching hot. Winning three of their first 4 by an average margin of twelve points, the boys looked unstoppable. Sadly, the season is not won in the first four games and the Bucs fell to rival Calvary Christian in a heartbreaking loss 28-21.
BULLY BUCS: Jojo Troupe ’25 runs with the football (Photo Credits: Riley Zophin ’25)
This season the Buccaneers’ offense has looked unstoppable, boasting 25.8 points per game which is over 5 points higher than the national average of 20.1. This offensive approach has been led by a stellar offensive line and a dynamic backfield, sporting players such as Dallas Golden ’25 and Jojo Troupe ’25. This season alone Golden, a 4-star recruit on 247Sports, has rushed the ball 61 times for 512 yards and hauled in 9 receptions for 118 yards and 9 total TDs. If Golden is lightning, Troupe is his thunder, rushing the ball 65 times for 488 yards. While Berkeley likes to run the ball on the ground, they aren’t shy about airing it out either. Led by Quarterback Rico Garcia ’25, the Bucs have passed the ball for 220 yards averaging 10.5 yards per pass. This has raised the team’s average yards per game to over 300 yards, 60 over the national average.
The Buccaneer defense is no slouch, either. Led by seniors Nikhil Jefferson ’24 and Titus Bullard ’24, the Bucs’ defensive line averages 2.6 sacks per game which is double the national average. This stout defensive line provides the talented Bucs secondary with plenty of opportunities, as the Bucs have six interceptions and 14 pass breakups this season. Golden leads the team with 3 interceptions, followed by Darius Green ’24 with 2 and Dion Cooper ’24 with 1. Golden and Green have been a dynamic duo in the secondary this year, giving opposing QBs nightmares about throwing to their wide receivers. Green has recently committed to playing Division III at Carnegie Mellon University. Linebackers Cooper and Gavin Holman ’24 have also been terrorizing opposing runners and receivers alike, averaging 7.2 tackles per game each.
A special highlight goes out to Kicker and Punter Brad Paxton ’24. Paxton has been automatic this season, 7/7 on field goals and 18/18 on PATs. This electric season so far has tied him in career kicking points with Berkeley alumni, former NFL punter and Pro Bowl alternate Justin Vogel. Paxton has recently committed to playing Division III at Johns Hopkins University.
The Bucs hope to continue their winning ways after a bounce-back win against Riverview and make their way to a second state championship in four years. Under esteemed Head Coach Dominick Ciao, the Bucs seem primed to have another fantastic season and make a deep playoff run.
