Tampa Catholic Gets Over The Hump

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after their monumental win against defending state champion Tampa Jesuit, there was a feeling that Tampa Catholic's football team had indeed arrived.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With head coach <strong>Jeris McIntyre </strong>putting the pieces together over the past five years, there was a belief that once the prospects started to see what the one-time Auburn University and NFL standout was all about, they would buy in – and they have!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the state playoffs start this Friday at home against Tampa King (3-7), the Crusaders are really beginning to believe that they have a chance to make something happen in 2M.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a No. 1 seed, this team feels that not overlooking anyone – especially King – and taking each game one at a time, this could be the season where the Crusaders are being taken seriously, especially in the Tampa Bay area – which is something that has never been easy to do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Region 2 alone, they have gone 3-0 against Tampa Blake, Tampa Robinson and Tampa Berkely Prep, so confidence and optimism is warranted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a team that has a great mix of seniors, juniors and young sophomores and freshmen, which have grown and matured – with a year-round commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among those seniors include heavily recruited<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='128036' first='Lewis' last='Carter']</strong> (RB, 6-1, 215), who has been an impact performer for 4 seasons, and will be counted on in a major way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, Class of 2023 seniors <strong>Giovanni Amisial</strong> (DT, 6-1, 305), <strong>Baraka Andrews</strong> (DT, 6-1, 300), <strong>Troy Black</strong> (OC, 6-2, 240), <strong>Mike Brown</strong> (OG, 6-2, 290) and fullback <strong>Carnell Herring Jr.</strong> (FB, 5-11, 230).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders also boast <strong>Chris Luna</strong> (OT, 6-3, 270), <strong>Mario Mayo </strong>(RB, 5-10, 170), <strong>Jeremy Patterson</strong> (DE/P, 6-3, 225) and receiver <strong>Jamal Rutherford</strong> (6-3, 180).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>GIFTED UNDERCLASSMEN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Catholic is not only in great shape with the senior class, but the underclassmen have also stepped up as well. Class of 2024 juniors such as major recruits <strong>Trey Hedden III</strong> (QB, 6-3, 205) and <strong>T.J. Moore</strong> (WR, 6-4, 190) are leaders and producers. So are <strong>Michael Allen</strong> (OLB, 6-1, 160), <strong>Cyrus Chappell</strong> (SS, 5-11, 205), <strong>Malek Darthard</strong> (WR, 6-0, 180) and <strong>Phil DeSousa</strong> (PK, 5-10, 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other juniors to keep an eye on in the playoffs include <strong>Joseph Dotson</strong> (DE, 6-3, 220), <strong>Eddie Pierre-Louis</strong> (NG, 6-4, 320), <strong>Ziah Matos</strong> (OG, 6-5, 315), <strong>Tre Pompilus </strong>(CB, 5-11, 175),<strong> Jaylin Torres (</strong>WR, 6-0, 195) and safety <strong>Chrystian Ware</strong> (6-1, 180).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2025 student/athletes<strong> L.J. Elwin </strong>(WR, 5-9, 170), <strong>Charles Quintas</strong> (CB, 5-11, 160) and tight end <strong>Tyler Tuel</strong> (6-3, 200) are future impact players. So are 2026 freshmen<strong> Terran Bell</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 200), <strong>Townsend Evans</strong> (RB, 5-10, 170) and versatile athlete <strong>Cayden Marti</strong> (6-0, 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>THE CRUSADERS (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Myers Cypress Lake, W 73-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC, L 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CLEARWATER AMERICAN COLLEGIATE ACADEMY, W 28-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA BERKELEY PREP, W 23-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winter Haven, W 37-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Blake, W 54-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA ROBINSON, W 70-35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Jefferson, W 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA JESUIT, W 20-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>You Can Contact [player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein'] with prospect or team information at: <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->