STATE FINALS: Clearwater Central Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After opening the season 1-1, there were many football fans that felt the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders would make the playoffs but going far would be tough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning eight times in 2021, head coach <strong>Chris Harvey</strong> and his football team looked to improve on last season. They did that and a lot more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riding an 11-game winning streak, including a 34-29 state semifinal win at Jacksonville University Christian, the program that many were given little chance to advance too far in the state playoffs are ready to climb the highest mountain of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When they take the field on Thursday night at Gene Cox Stadium in Hollywood, this team will be facing one of the nation's best teams – Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sporting a 12-0 record, Chaminade-Madonna is making an amazing seventh consecutive state championship final after winning four of the past five 3A state crowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with all that going against them, the Marauders are confident that they can stand toe-to-toe with a team that has outscored their opposition, 610-129, which includes six shutouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has plenty of talent – starting with the senior class where players such as <strong>Julian Allen</strong> (WR/DB, 6-0, 190), <strong>Ceddrick Cann</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 280), <strong>Shane Elam</strong> (OL/DL, 6-3, 290), <strong>Anthony Giordano</strong> (P, 6-0, 170), <strong>David Green</strong> (WR, 6-5, 195), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381588' first='Nate' last='Johnson'] III</strong> (DB/WR, 5-11, 175), <strong>Curtis Roberts</strong> (LB/WR, 6-4, 185),&nbsp; <strong>Luis Sanchez</strong> (WR, 5-10, 160) and versatile <strong>Lenwood Sapp </strong>(RB/LB, 5-10, 195) have led the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition, 2023 standouts <strong>Carson Schiavello</strong> (S, 5-10, 185), <strong>Kevin Terry</strong> (OL, 6-6, 270) and <strong>Noah Vick</strong> (DL, 6-0, 260) have been solid as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As gifted as the senior class is, the Marauders also boast a Class of 2024 junior group that has already proven what they can do. Prospects like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404498' first='Andy' last='Jaffe']</strong> (DB/WR, 6-1, 170)<strong>, Christopher Lee</strong> (OLB, 6-0, 190)<strong>, Tre McClellan </strong>(DB, 5-7, 160)<strong>, Drake Witt</strong> (FB, 5-10, 190)<strong>, Jake Wright</strong> (S/WR, 5-10, 150) and defensive lineman <strong>Jerek Yepez</strong> (5-11, 250).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even the Class of 2025 (sophomores) are impressive as well – with <strong>Andrew Burton</strong> (OG, 6-1, 270), <strong>Dujuan Davis</strong> (OL, 6-7, 380), <strong>Jackson Hollis</strong> (QB, 6-0, 190), <strong>Keo Jenkins</strong> (DL, 6-0, 230), ultra-talented <strong>Jershaun Newton</strong> (QB, 6-0, 205) and <strong>Duke Rich</strong> (DB/WR, 6-0, 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE MARAUDERS (12-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA BERKELEY PREP, W 24-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocala Trinity Catholic, L 35-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Catholic, W 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC, W 20-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>SEBRING, W 16-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Jesuit, W 23-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA CAMBRIDGE CHRISTIAN, W 40-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tampa Carrollwood Day, W 30-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seffner Christian, W 63-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BRADENTON IMG WHITE, W 63-35</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LARGO INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN, W 63-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAMPA CARROLLWOOD DAY, W 21-11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN, W 34-29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC FOOTBALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You Can Contact <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='111610' first='Larry' last='Blustein']</strong> with prospect or team information at: <strong>Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->