TAMPA — Tampa Catholic tasted victory for the first time in 11 months. The Crusaders (1-4) had last won 45-10 on Nov. 22 against Melbourne Central Catholic in the Class 3A region final. A steady rain in the first half make an already soggy field worse as the teams combined for 11 of their 14 total fumbles.
Key drive: Down 13-7 in the third, Cardinal Mooney (4-1) faced fourth and 5 at the TC 11. Reese Vita threw toward a wide-open Blair Perry in the left corner of the end zone. But the wet ball fell 5 yards short.
Play of the game: With the game tied at 7 in the final seconds before halftime, TC junior linebacker Derek Ortiz intercepted a flare pass and sped 35 yards down the left sideline for the decisive touchdown.
Stars of the game: Ortiz also had four tackles-for-loss. TC’s Kevin Knox hit Darius Cornett with a 63-yard touchdown with 10:10 left. Trevon Townsend (two), Anibal Lominchar and Malik Barrow recovered fumbles for the Crusaders.
Stat of the game: TC allowed 40 yards and five first downs on 42 plays and forced five turnovers.
Final word:“I was in shock. When I scored, I slid down in the end zone. I was looking back, and I was like, 'Wow, I scored.’ ” — Ortiz on his interception