Barons throw it all at Crusaders to win 49-36

At the half, it was all SPC but Cardinal Newman made its run.

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published November 12, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Ladies and gentleman, introducing the "Greatest Show on Grass." At quarterback, David Girardi, running backs Jock Sanders and Darius Bellamy, and at wide receiver, Jermaine McKenzie and Andrew Harris.

St. Petersburg Catholic used every weapon, and then some, to outlast West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman 49-36, advancing to the region finals..

Girardi passed for 95 yards and two touchdowns as SPC jumped to a 28-3 halftime lead. Sanders scored on a 17-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter and added a 28-yard run in the third, while Bellamy ran 45 yards for a score in the second. McKenzie had two interceptions in the first half, including one he ran back 55 yards, that the Barons converted into touchdowns. One of those came just before the break on a Harris 15-yard reception.

It looked as if the hosts were in control, but the Crusaders opened the second half by recovering an onside kick, then scoring four plays later on a Paul Ihnken 1-yard run to make it 28-9.

That's when the fun began. SPC return man Gage Smith took the short kickoff 30 yards to the Newman 28 and Sanders scored on the next play. The Crusaders answered behind Ihnken. Cardinal Newman brought it to the SPC 38 and Ihnken rumbled from there to make it 35-16.

After a three-and-out by the Barons, the Crusaders put another drive together that led to Ihnken's third score. A blocked PAT made it 35-22. On the Barons next series, McKenzie took a reverse and flew 64 yards untouched down the sideline to score.

The Crusaders again put a drive together, but SPC's Donald Warren intercepted at his own 10 and took it back to midfield. That pick proved crucial as SPC scored, Harris taking a reverse 44 yards to put SPC up to stay, 49-28.

"We watched them on tape and prepared all week to use our weapons tonight," said SPC coach Dan Mancuso. "We knew we could exploit them using the skill guys we have and you saw what can happen when things are clicking on all cylinders."

[Last modified November 12, 2005, 00:55:15]