Preps

SPC 35, Bishop Verot 28

By MIKE COLAPIETRO, Times Correspondent
Published October 20, 2007

At St. Petersburg Catholic's homecoming pep rally, Barons coach Tod Creneti was surrounded by seniors upset that they were considered the underdog to visiting Fort Myers Bishop Verot. Creneti knew this would motivate his team to win.

The Barons took advantage early after recovering Viking receiver Shawn Doyle's fumble on the game's second play. St. Pete Catholic running backs Courtney Feazell and A.J. Butler led a long drive commenced with Feazell's scoring leap over the goal line. After rushing touchdowns by Keelyan Bryant and Butler, the Barons tallied up 158 first-half rushing yards and a solid lead of 21 unanswered points.

The Vikings responded with three straight scores. The first came with 3 minutes left in the first half on Doyle's 11-yard reception from quarterback Butch Moore. Schon Thomas and Moore each scored a rushing touchdown.

Moore went down hard after being hit in the back on the last play of the third quarter. After missing a play, he returned to throw for 86 yards and a touchdown. Moore totalled 189 yards passing and 114 yards rushing but his efforts were not enough to defeat the Barons.

With both teams tied in the fourth quarter, Feazell broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run. When Bishop Verot was backed up close to its own end zone, Moore threw a botched backward lateral that defensive lineman Mike Davis recovered for a touchdown. The score securing an inspirational victory for St. Petersburg Catholic.

"The kids had being picked to lose on their mind," Creneti said. "Our mission, our goal has been to continue to get better and to let it start showing up in the win column."

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 02:28:40]