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© St. Petersburg Times, published May 29, 2002
CLEARWATER -- This used to be a delightful sight for John Davis: placekicker Joey Ijjas trotting onto the field in the closing seconds for a game-winning kick.
But Tuesday night, the former Clearwater Central Catholic coach had to adjust his eyeglasses.
"It's hard for me to stand on that sideline and root for Joey to miss a field goal," said Davis, the new coach at Countryside. "I've known those guys a lot longer than I know my new team."
That new team, however, eased its coach's pain by blocking Ijjas' 39-yard attempt, sealing a 16-14 jamboree victory at home.
Countryside trailed for 16 seconds in the game but faced defeat after CCC drove 67 yards on its final drive. On third and 15 from the Cougars' 35-yard line, quarterback Orlando Rivas scrambled for 13 yards to the 22, setting up a field goal attempt for Ijjas.
Sophomore Rob Scanell saved the day for the Cougars, streaking in from the left side to block the kick.
"You can't complain," said CCC coach Mike Jalazo, also making a new start after three years at Admiral Farragut. "We got ourselves in a position to win. Unfortunately, it didn't happen."
CCC trailed 16-7 midway through the third quarter after Countryside kicker Chase Hobby connected on a 43-yard field goal. But the Marauders answered with an impressive nine-play drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown toss from Rivas to tight end Jim Campbell.
Rivas, the county's fourth-leading passer last season with 1,326 yards, completed 3 of 4 passes on the drive for 42 yards.
CCC held Countryside at bay twice on the next possession. The Cougars went three-and-out, but got a first down on a holding penalty at the end of the third quarter. Five minutes into the fourth, Countryside punted and CCC began its final drive.
Countryside built its lead behind sophomore running back Isaiah Gwyn, who scored on a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 99-yard kickoff return in the second.
With 6:41 remaining in the first half, a Dan Petillo pass glanced off Gwyn's hands and was grabbed by CCC defensive back Matt Wirth, who dashed 32 yards to give the Marauders a 7-6 lead. But Gwyn atoned right away, taking the ensuing kickoff for a score.
Gwyn finished with 142 yards rushing on 21 carries.
"I knew (about Gwyn). He's special," Davis said. "We've got to figure out different ways to get him the ball."