Preps

Clearwater Central Catholic 22, Cardinal Mooney 7

By SCOTT BECKER, Times Correspondent
Published November 3, 2007

CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders are going back to the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year after defeating Cardinal Mooney.

Anthony Cochran ran 33 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns to lead the rushing attack. He also had a game-clinching interception in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Cochran scored from 3 yards out in the first quarter to put the Marauders up 7-0. Jeff Ijjas kicked a 24-yard field goal early in the second to put them up 10-0.

The Cougars then drove all the way to the Marauder goal line only to be stopped on fourth down, preserving the 10 point lead.

The Cougars had a pair of mistakes early in the second half when a 65-yard touchdown pass was called back because of a penalty, and then fumbled the ball away a couple of plays later. The Marauders turned the miscues into a 32-yard Ijjas field goal.

Things didn't get much better when, on the first play after the Ijjas field goal, the ball was snapped over the head of the quarterback, resulting in a safety. Cochran's second touchdown run of the night put them up 22-0, and it was up to the defense to hold the lead in the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Cougars were able to connect on a touchdown pass from Robby Lyons to Clayton Hazeltine to close the gap to 22-7. The Marauders then recovered an onside kick, and later added an interception by Cochran to crush the comeback and clinch a spot in the playoffs.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 23:43:23]