TAMPA — The bond seems tighter, and the appreciation never higher, this season at Tampa Catholic. So many things to be thankful for.
“We’re just happy to be practicing,” coach Jeris McIntyre said. “It feels good to be out here again.”
At the same time, there is an undercurrent of inspiration, flowing from the sadness of losing beloved longtime coach David Lewis, who died July 14 after many complications with his heart.
“We knew (Lewis) had some health issues, but when we got the news he was gone it was a big shock for all of us,” said McIntyre, who played for Lewis at Tampa Catholic in the late 1990s. “It was hard to think that he wouldn’t be out here with us. We met with the team and broke the news to them and it was tough, really tough. Right then we dedicated the season to him. It brought us closer together.”
The spirit showed last week in the first game of the season, a 43-7 victory over the IMG White team, where mistakes were made but not as many as you might think after the limited practice time because of the COVID-19 shutdown.
“There are plenty of things we need to work on, but yes, overall, not bad,” McIntyre said. “We saw a lot of things that were encouraging.”
The optimism most certainly includes sophomore quarterback Xavione Washington, who completed 6 of 8 passes for 124 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown pass, while also rushing for two touchdowns, one for 2 yards and another for 55.
Overall, Tampa Catholic’s ground attack — with running backs Tone Hill, Raphael Ekechi, AJ Williams, Lewis Carter and KJ Covington — was stout, finishing with 215 yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, Carter led the way with eight tackles, but ultimately, gang tackling was key.
This week, however, is a completely different deal against a perennially tough opponent, Clearwater Central Catholic, which has beaten the Crusaders three straight years.
“We look forward to the test,” McIntyre said.
Tampa Catholic senior defensive back and captain DD Snyder said his team is ready to make great things happen because they are united like never before and want to honor “Coach Lewis.”
“He wanted us to be the best we could be in every way possible,” Snyder said. “We have him in mind.”
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Explore all your optionsLewis' former teammate at the University of Southern California and with the Bucs, TC coaching assistant Richard Wood, stood in the middle of the practice field Wednesday. “He may not be here in person, but David Lewis is here, he most definitely is here, every day, every minute. I feel it. We all feel it.”
A little while later practice ended and the players sprinkled around and listened for the coaches' last words for the day. On the back of every helmet was a sticker, capital “DL” over “#57” in a black circle: Lewis wore No. 57 for the Bucs from 1977-1981.
“We gotta do it for Coach Lewis,” Snyder said. “He was always there for us.”
Tonight’s games
Boca Ciega at Tarpon Springs, 7
Dixie Hollins at Countryside, 7
Northeast at Seminole, 7
Friday’s games
Keswick Christian at Bishop McLaughlin, 7
Zephyrills Christian at Bradenton Christian, 7
Cambridge Christian at Northside Christian, 7
Calvary Christian at Carrollwood Day, 7
Indian Rocks Christian at Northside Christian, 7
Dunedin at St. Pete Catholic, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic at Tampa Catholic, 7
Cypress Creek at Osceola, 7
Gibbs at Lakewood, 7
Pinellas Park at Largo, 7
Wiregrass Ranch at St. Petersburg, 7
Southeast at Berkeley Prep, 7:30
Leto at Alonso, 7:30
Armwood at Bloomingdale, 7:30
Middleton at Blake, 7:30
Brandon at Robinson, 7:30
Chamberlain at Gaither, 7:30
Durant at Newsome, 7:30
Sickles at East Bay, 7:30
Wharton at Freedom, 7:30
Strawberry Crest at King, 7:30
Lennard at Plant, 7:30
Riverview at Plant City, 7:30
Spoto at Sumner, 7:30
Tampa Bay Tech at Steinbrenner, 7:30
Clearwater at Jesuit, 7:30
Anclote at Hudson, 7:30
Fivay at River Ridge, 7:30
Sarasota Riverview at East Lake, 7:30
Pasco at Auburndale, 7:30
Sunlake at Wesley Chapel, 7:30