Benjamin gets leg up in playoff race

QB Travis, defense hand key region rival first defeat.

Jordan Travis and the Benjamin Buccaneers couldn’t have written a better homecoming script.

In a game with major playoff implications in Region 4-Class 3A, Benjamin routed St. Andrew’s 48-3 on Friday night, handing the Scots their first loss of the season.

The result means the Buccaneers (6-1) likely will move ahead of the Scots (6-1) and American Heritage — which lost to Glades Central — in the Region 4-3A standings with two weeks left in the regular season. The teams with the top four playoff points averages will make the playoffs. The Scots began Friday in second place, the Stallions fourth, and the Buccaneers fifth.

Travis, a senior quarterback who has committed to Louisville, rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two more. He wound up with 133 yards on only six carries. Travis completed 11 of 19 passes for 176 yards, including touchdowns of 52 and 60 yards, both to junior Kai Rosado. Rosado finished with three catches for 117 yards.

“My boys up front were blocking, and my receivers were catching everything I threw to them,” Travis said.

The Benjamin defense overwhelmed quarterback Wyatt Ruth and the St. Andrew’s offense. With lineman Josh Greene constantly in the backfield, linebacker Joseph LaBovick blitzing every third play or so, and Michael Lobosco and Addison Matevia applying pressure, Ruth could never get comfortable. He had minus-6 yards rushing on 21 attempts and completed 12 of 27 passes for 87 yards with an interception. The Buccaneers outgained the Scots 394-95.

St. Andrew’s started the game with the ball but went three-and-out, and Kaiir Elam returned the punt 23 yards to the Scots’ 35. On third-and-nine, Travis completed a 13-yard pass to Elam, then ran it in from the 21 on the next snap to give Benjamin a 7-0 lead only 3:40 into the game.

The Scots then drove from their 17 to the Buccaneers’ 12-yard line, and Harrison Newhouse’s 29-yard field goal got St. Andrew’s within 7-3.

The Scots tried a surprise onside kick, but Santino Marucci recovered it for Benjamin on its 48. On the next snap, Travis threw a deep pass, which Rosado caught behind the St. Andrew’s secondary for a 52-yard touchdown and a 14-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Two possessions later, Travis broke two tackles and found room along the right sideline for a 51-yard touchdown run and a 21-3 lead. Travis connected again with Rosado for a 60-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 28-3 with 1:03 left in the half.

Travis ended his night with an 18-yard touchdown run with 4:45 left in the third quarter.