Berkeley Prep to lean on talented defense in 2022

TAMPA, FLORIDA- No defense could forget about the two-headed monster that Berkeley Prep came at teams with every week with Xavier Townsend and Travis Bates.

Now both running backs have graduated and moved onto playing college football, but that’s left gaping holes in the backfield for the Buccaneers and on the flip side, opportunities for new faces to star on Berkeley Prep‘s offense.

Two-sport athlete star Joseph Troupe, who is also on the school’s baseball team as a top player, returns for his sophomore season as the most experienced running back. Troupe rushed for 318 yards on 35 carries and scored seven touchdowns. The other experienced player in the backfield for Berkeley Prep is starting quarterback Troy Reader, who threw for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns on 36-of-81 passing in 2021.

Where the Buccaneers should be elite in is their defensive front seven, as they return a bevy of players at linebacker and on the defensive line. Leading the way at defensive end is 5-star rated, Notre Dame commitment Keon Keeley, who made 61 tackles, 34 for a loss, 16.5 sacks and deflected three passes at the line of scrimmage.

Keeley leads the defensive front along with middle linebacker Johnny Ferrelli (68 tackles in 2021) and senior nose guard Brice Stevenson (56 tackles in 2021). The secondary will be a more youthful unit, but do return senior cornerback, Harvard commit Damien Henderson (33 tackles in 2021).

When taking a look at the road to prosperity for the Buccaneers, it will not be easy by any means with the new district classification they will be partaking in. Berkeley Prep will be playing out of the new Class 2A-Metro, District 7 with Clearwater (reached Class 5A region final), Calvary Christian and Dunedin. There’s no easy road for the Buccaneers getting back to a state championship, as head coach Dominick Ciao is looking to make his return to a third state title game (1992, 2021 appearances), school’s second. 

Berkeley Prep’s 2022 regular schedule kicks off on August 26th when they face Clearwater Central Catholic at home before they take on a tough slate of games. The Buccaneers’ schedule also features games against Plant, Tampa Catholic, East Bay and Clearwater. Ciao has a talented bunch and getting through the challenging 10-game schedule could have the Buccaneers right back in position for a deep playoff run this fall.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.