Berkeley Prep's Dallas Golden, Joseph Troupe are a backfield to remember
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA- There's a list a mile long when it comes to running backs that were great on the high school level.
Then you take a look at Berkeley Prep's tandem of Dallas Golden-Joseph Troupe and neither come off as imposing.
No one will say they're not elusive, as the two are primary reasons why the Buccaneers are heading back home with the program's first-ever state championship after leading the way in a 28-20 victory over Miami Norland.
"It was very satisfying (getting the win), but nothing happens without my offensive line," Golden said. "Nothing is possible without them."
The two backs combined for a total of 292 yards rushing in an all-time effort against a Vikings' defense that features a slew of Power 5 level players. When you think of Tampa Bay-area players that have etched their name in state championship lore lately, the last team to win it all was the Jesuit Tigers in 2021 behind a stellar offense led by quarterback Luke Knight.
That team had plenty of talent at the skill positions and especially up on the line of scrimmage.
What Golden and Troupe did, however, on Saturday morning couldn't have been done without a total team effort offensively. But these two have to receive their proverbial flowers when it comes to the kind of day they both had.
A Norland defense that knew all week what would be coming downhill at them and featured over a half dozen Power 5 level talent. That didn't matter to Golden and Troupe.
"That's that one, two punch," Troupe said after the championship win. "Whether it's me or Dallas (Golden), it's going to be a problem. That's why I love my brothers."
The final statistics for the two running backs would make anyone a fan of downhill, run-heavy football crack a smile afterwards. Golden led the Buccaneers with a game-high 162 yards on 24 carries and scored once. Troupe wasn't too far behind his teammate, tallying 130 yards on 23 attempts, with a long of 49 yards.
Though Troupe didn't find the endzone, the junior back did get the pleasure of sealing the state championship win for Berkeley Prep. Buccaneers head coach Dominick Ciao called upon Troupe on a critical fourth and inches situation to get the first down to secure the victory and he came through.
Not only did Troupe get called on to secure the win and come away with state championship gold, he also received an offer from Florida A&M after the game.
"Whenever we got into the huddle is when I found out," Troupe said about finding out he would be the one running the ball on fourth and inches to seal the victory. "I was trying to communicate to coach to let me eat because I knew I was going to get it (first down)."
Whatever your feeling on the two running backs of Golden and Troupe, great or just good, you'll have to refer to them and the rest of the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers as state champions of Class 2M.
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
