Tampa Bay Tech edges out rival Armwood in Class 3M region semifinal

The Titans' defense holds the Hawks to 261 total yards and picks off five passes

SEFFNER, FLORIDA- A 51-34 loss to Armwood back on October 27th still weighed heavily in the minds of Tampa Bay Tech players, coaches heading into Friday night's Class 3M, Region 1 semifinal. 

The Titans felt obliged to pay back the Hawks for beating them for the first time since 2019. 

Tampa Bay Tech's secondary took over the game, picking off five passes as the Titans narrowly edged out the Hawks 27-22 at Lyle Flagg Stadium. With the win, the Titans will host Orlando Jones, a 28-24 winner over Edgewater, in next week's 3M, Region 1 final. 

There were early indications the Titans' defense would be in for a big night as they intercepted Rhys Brush (13-of-24, 202 yards) in the opening quarter, with Rukeem Stroud took it back for a touchdown. Armwood answered right back on its very next opportunity as running back Girard Pringle returned the kickoff back for a touchdown. 

Tip drill results in a Pick-6 for the Titans!! Rukeem Stroud takes it to the house. With 10:26 remaining in the 1st Quarter, @TBTFootball leads @ArmwoodFTBL 7-0. @Andy_Villamarzo @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL pic.twitter.com/IJeCrCtph9

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) November 18, 2023

The Titans' front seven defense stepped up to the occasion in slowing down Pringle on the night, holding the running back to 49 yards on 18 carries. Armwood on the night couldn't get much going offensively whatsoever, totaling 261 yards for the game. 

Armwood (10-1) went into intermission with a 13-7 lead after Brush found wide receiver O'Lontae Dean on a 15-yard touchdown pass. It would be turnovers that started turning the tide in the second half for the Titans. 

Camren Campbell intercepted a Brush pass in the third quarter, setting up a Xzavier Jackson (10-of-25, 224 yards) 57-yard touchdown pass to Trevon Moore to put the Titans up 14-13. The Hawks briefly had retaken the lead on a field goal, but Jackson would strike again and hit Santonyo Isaac on a 23-yard touchdown pass to pull ahead 20-16. 

The game looked over when defensive back Se'an Sheffield intercepted a Brush pass back for a touchdown to put Tampa Bay Tech ahead 27-16. Brush kept hopes up for Armwood on a 60-yard touchdown to Mekhi Anderson to close the gap to 27-22. 

The Hawks got the onside kick and had a chance to still win with 45 seconds left, but a last gasp heave from Brush was intercepted. 

Armwood’s last second heave ends with INT No. 5 for @TBTFootball. @Andy_Villamarzo @SBLiveSports @SBLiveFL pic.twitter.com/4icHni736a

— Alejandro Tamayo (@AlexTamayo22) November 18, 2023

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FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl