Preps

Football County Roundup

By BRYAN BURNS
Published October 20, 2007

Tampa Cath. 17, Mulberry 16: Tampa Catholic pulled out a come-from-behind victory in the game's waning seconds to remain undefeated in district play.

Trailing 16-10 with a little over two minutes remaining, Tampa Catholic's Eric Gerken - playing for Christian Green who cramped up earlier in the drive - ran in from 8 yards out on a quarterback draw for the winning score.

The teams were deadlocked at 10 going into the fourth before Mulberry (3-4,1-2) went ahead 16-10 on a fake field goal. Mulberry tried to fake the extra point but the Crusaders (6-1, 3-0) thwarted that attempt. TC's winning drive was set up by a Mulberry fumble at its 45, and after converting twice on fourth down, the Crusaders found the end zone.

Sarasota 22, Riverview 21: Riverview saw its playoff hopes dashed with a hard-fought loss to district foe Sarasota on the road. The Sharks (2-5, 0-2) took a 21-9 lead after Jahmile Addae's 38-yard TD run, but Sarasota outscored the Sharks 13-0 the rest of the way.

"It was a slugfest, like our game with Sarasota Riverview," Riverview coach Dan O'Regan said. "The game went back-and-forth all night. Both teams played well."

Sarasota's Taylor Violette kicked a 45-yard field goal in the third, and Roody Johnson ran in from 1 yard to get the Sharks within two. Violette followed with his second field goal, from 27 yards out, which proved to be the winner.

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 00:52:08]