Jacksonville Fl- It’s playoff fever in Jacksonville, and the Bishop Kenny Crusaders delivered one of their hottest performances of the season, overwhelming the Wakulla War Eagles 43–19 to advance in the postseason. What began as a tight, back-and-forth contest turned into a dominant display of physical running, explosive plays, and opportunistic defense as Bishop Kenny seized control late in the second quarter and never looked back.
Wakulla opened the scoring, striking first on their opening possession with a strong touchdown drive. But Bishop Kenny responded with a methodical answer of their own. The Crusaders marched 73 yards in nine plays, leaning on the legs of star running back Caleb Mattison, who powered into the end zone on a 3-yard score. Christian Lopez drilled the extra point to give Bishop Kenny a 7–6 lead with 3:43 left in the first quarter.
The Crusaders take the lead! A 3-yard run by Caleb Mattison tops off a 9 play, 73 yard offensive attack. The extra point by Christian Lopez puts Kenny up 7-6 with 3:43 left to play in the 1st.#DefendTheRiver pic.twitter.com/x2lRrzo79i
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) November 15, 2025
Wakulla briefly regained momentum with another touchdown, but the Crusaders’ offense was hitting its stride. Facing a crucial fourth down in the second quarter, James Davis took a direct handoff, hit the sideline, and broke the plane to tie the game at 13. Bishop Kenny elected to go for two, and Davis delivered again, pushing the Crusaders ahead 15–13 with 2:18 left before halftime.
James Davis with a 4th down run to tie the game at 13. After a 2pt conversion BK takes a 15-13 lead with 2:18 left in the 2nd Q. #DefendtheRiver pic.twitter.com/rplj0ErpCj
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) November 15, 2025
The next sequence changed the game completely. With the Wakulla secondary creeping toward the line to stop the run, quarterback Gavin Hawkins dropped back and fired a perfect strike to Davis streaking down the sideline. Davis outran two defenders for a 57-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 22–13 after Lopez’s PAT with just 1:02 left in the half.
The very next play from scrimmage swung the momentum permanently. Wakulla fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Crusaders recovered deep in War Eagle territory. Two plays later, Hawkins kept the ball on a read-option and bullied his way into the end zone for another score, ballooning the lead to 29–13 with 15 seconds remaining in the half.
After a fumble on the kickoff, BK punches it in on a QB keeper to extend lead to 29-13 with 15 sec left in half. #DefendtheRiver pic.twitter.com/8bhWHeIz48
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) November 15, 2025
Coming out of the break, Bishop Kenny continued to lean on its workhorse. Mattison, who had already scored once, broke free on a dazzling 40-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, pushing the Crusaders ahead 36–13. But his night wasn’t done.
Caleb Mattison from 40 yds out to put BK up 36-13 with 4:37 left in 3rd Q. #DefendtheRiver pic.twitter.com/HsOLAuwSOO
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) November 15, 2025
In the fourth quarter, Mattison delivered the knockout blow — a breathtaking 57-yard run in which he broke multiple tackles, kept his balance along the edge, and sprinted untouched to the end zone. Lopez’s extra point made it 43–13 with 8:59 left, sealing the victory and setting off celebrations on the home sideline.
Wakulla added a late score, but the outcome had long been decided. Mattison’s monster performance — 3 rushing TDs and 210 yards on the ground — combined with Hawkins’ efficiency and Davis’ two-touchdown night, powered Bishop Kenny to one of its most impressive wins of the season.
Caleb Mattison somehow stays on his feet and rips off a 57-yard run! Crusaders are up 43 – 13 after the extra point by Christian Lopez with 8:59 left to play in the 4th!#DefendTheRiver pic.twitter.com/4SYrHq6Gmi
— Bishop Kenny Athletics (@BKHS_Athletics) November 15, 2025
With the 43–19 triumph, Bishop Kenny advances with confidence, momentum, and an offense playing its best football at exactly the right time. They’ll face Godby this Friday in the Class 3A Regional Semifinals. Mattison makes a difference in a dominant running game that’s perfect for playoff football in November.
