Cooper punt return sparks Marauders
The CCC star dashes 75 yards to break a scoreless tie and get the host team going.
By DOUG KATES
Published November 12, 2005
CLEARWATER - Even though Clearwater Central Catholic entered postseason play on an eight-game winning streak, it was a much needed second-quarter spark that got the Marauders fired up Friday night.
CCC (9-2) advanced to the region semifinals playoffs with a 35-7 victory over the Crescent City Raiders (5-6).
Senior Riley Cooper supplied the spark for CCC. A 75-yard punt return for a touchdown broke a scoreless tie.
"It sort of got us going," Cooper said. "We have a tendency to come out flat. Once (the Raiders) started mouthing off at us and the hitting got more intense, we started going after it a little more."
The CCC ended the regular season with a 70-point game last week, but against Crescent City the Marauders were shut out in the first quarter. In fact, they had to punt on their first two possessions and the offense gained only 26 yards.
Everything changed after the punt return.
With the enthusiasm up, the Marauders scored three touchdowns in the second period.
Ron Harris had a 14-yard run and Andrew Nowels completed a 26-yard pass to Cooper for his second touchdown of the game.
In the second half, Harris added two more touchdown runs to seal the win.
The Marauders finished the game with 165 yards rushing and 141 yards passing. Harris had 108 yards on the ground and Nowels was 11-for-18 for 141 yards.
Even more impressive was the defense. Crescent City had 63 yards on offense in the first quarter, but the Raiders finished the game with 69 yards overall. In the second half, Crescent City only ran seven offensive plays and did not collect a first down. The Raiders' lone score took place on a 94-yard kickoff return by Chevelle Taylor.
"We played great defensively," said Marauders coach Mike Jalazo. "(The Raiders) came down on their (first) drive and we stopped them. After that point we just settled down and played good ball."
CCC was guilty of 14 penalties for 107 yards. Jalazo said the penalties were something to work on before the semifinals next week.