CLEARWATER — Clearwater Central Catholic is not only advancing in the playoffs, but making history as well.
“We’ve only had two teams in 50 years of football that has won 10 games in one season, so to do that here was a goal for them,” said CCC coach John Davis after his squad shut out Frostproof 35-0 in a Class 3A region semifinal Friday night.
“It was another win for them, our seventh shoutout of the year, and to beat someone with a tradition that Frostproof has is a great win for us.”
Defense and special teams led the way for the Marauders (10-1), starting with a 35-yard interception return from senior defensive back Michael Stevenson late in the first quarter that put CCC up 21-0. Then, in the second quarter, Trey Larry returned a punt 65 yards after a near fumble.
Larry wasn’t done. Junior quarterback Blake Gomez connected with him just as the fourth quarter started on a 52-yard pass that sealed the game at 35.
“We were against the wind (in the third quarter), and so we waited until we were able to start the fourth before we passed again,” Davis said.
The throw seemed to clear some of the cobwebs forming inside the Marauder offense after the special teams and defensive scores pushed the team out of synch a bit.
Diquan Walker had CCC’s other two touchdowns, finishing his night with 18 rushes for 84 yards. Only Xavier Gaines for Frostproof (6-5) came close to those totals with 11 rushes for 48.
Gomez was 4-of-8 for 68 yards while Gaines was 4-of-17 for 36 and three interceptions.
CCC has not lost since opening week to East Lake and has outscored opponents 361-56.