Blowout win pushes Saint Stephen's into championship game

The Falcons are headed to the first championship game in program history.

Saint Stephen's blew out Boca Raton Christian, 43-0, in Boca Raton on Friday, punching its spot in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference's (SSAC) Florida Bowl on Nov. 14 in Oviedo.

Quarterback Fred Billy, who ran for 212 yards and five touchdowns in Saint Stephen's (9-1) quarterfinal win against Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian last week, followed up that dominant performance with 167 yards and two touchdowns, including a 78-yard run.

He was more effective as a passer this week against BRCS (7-3). After completing only 3-of-12 passes against Seven Rivers Christian, Billy went 8-for-14 with 160 yards and touchdown passes to running back Jordan Murrell and wide receiver Bobby Harrison.

"He was right where he needed to be," head coach Tod Creneti said. "More accurate, dialed in, made good decisions."

The SSAC championship will be a rematch between Coral Bay Division rivals Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic and the Falcons. Santa Fe Catholic dealt SSES its only loss this season.

BCS FORFEITS -- Bradenton Christian's season is over after the Panthers forfeited their final game of the regular season with St. Petersburg Admiral Farragut on Friday.

"Due to injury and illness we don't have enough guys to be able to play," head coach Brett Gerber said.

The Panthers finished last Friday's game, a 35-6 win against Fort Myers Canterbury, with only 14 healthy players after four were injured during the win. Gerber, who is also the athletic director, didn't feel comfortable bringing his team up to St. Petersburg to face the No. 2 team in Class 2A.

BCS finishes the season 3-7 and did not qualify for the postseason, finishing fourth in Class 2A-District 5. Admiral Farragut finishes the regular season 9-1 and the 2A-6 champion will host Tampa Carrollwood Day, the runner-up in District 5, in the first round of the postseason.

Boys soccer

MONTVERDE ACADEMY 3, PALMETTO 1 -- The Tigers held their own against national power Montverde, surrendering three goals in the first 20 minutes and then holding their opponent scoreless for the remainder of the match.

David Zuniga's goal put Palmetto on the board just before the half.

Keeper Danny Sanchez had 10 saves for Palmetto (1-1), which plays its district opener Tuesday at Venice.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Blowout win pushes Saint Stephen's into championship game ."