In a game closer than expected, flag football beat previously undefeated and #8 ranked Bloomingdale 19-14 in the regional semi-final game. Although they were scoreless the second half, the Knights held off the Bulls for their 34th straight win. The 2014 state champions were slightly off their form today, missing two extra points and allowing two touchdowns.

Before last week’s district match-up with Plant, Head Coach Joshua Saunders told his team it would be the hardest opponent they would face until the state series. When he talked to the team during halftime today, he told them that statement may have been wrong.

“From what people had told us and what we had seen ourselves, they just didn’t look like they could stay with our offense, but they [had] a pretty good defensive plan. They did exactly what they were supposed to do to stay in the game and they gave themselves a chance to win,” said Saunders about Bloomingdale. “They challenged us big time. They came after us.”

The unexpected challenge from Bloomingdale aside, Saunders said the mistakes made by the Knights were concerning.

“We’ve got to play better. We gave them seven points on offense by not playing very well in the secondary and we gave them seven points when we were on offense by pitching the ball to them and letting them score. Stuff like that can never, ever, ever happen,” he said. “We made some mistakes, some serious, serious, serious mistakes that will be corrected before [the next game].”

The Knights will play again Tuesday at 5 p.m. at home vs #7 Plant City for the regional title and berth to the state championships Friday and Saturday in Tallahassee.

“If we play like we play today, we’ll lose,” Saunders said about the upcoming game. “If we play like we’re capable of playing, we’ll win and the game won’t be close.”

This story was updated 5/3/15 at 9:58 a.m.