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Football: Clearwater Central Catholic 41, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 28

 
Published Oct. 29, 2016

SARASOTA — Cardinal Mooney appeared to be about to get within a point or possibly knot the score early in the fourth quarter, driving Friday night at home against Clearwater Central Catholic. But quarterback Tristan Hillerich's pass floated over the outstretched arms of his intended target and into the hands of Jerjuan Newton, who took it back 63 yards to set up the Marauders for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 34-20 en route to a 41-28 final that locked up the Class 3A, District 5 title for CCC (8-1, 3-0). Mooney (7-2, 2-1) finished as the runnerup.

"You can't turn the ball over and flip the field against an offense as good as Clearwater Central Catholic," said Cougars second-year head coach Drew Lascari. "The defense did what they needed to but you can't turn it over three times and expect to beat them."

That made seven straight times now Cardinal Mooney has come up short against their district rival, who amassed 291 yards, 164 of which came from running back Jervon Newton on a workmanlike 29 carries. The Cougars did hold the Marauders' passing attack to 97 yards on only six completions with one touchdown.

The Cougars played catchup most of the night, with the Marauders striking first less than a minute into the game when Jakob

Parks found CJ Cotman on a seam route for a 55-yard score and a 7-0 lead. But Mooney answered when Bryce Williams (25 carries, 97 yards) found the end zone from 4 yards out. Clearwater Central Catholic missed a field goal early in the second quarter, but traded it for a touchdown on their next series for a lead it never relinquished and built to 21-7 at the half.

Another thing that kept Cardinal Mooney in the game were 14 penalties for 128 yards on CCC, including three personal fouls in the third quarter and back-to-back late hits to extend a Cougar drive.