VALRICO — Wharton's Chase Litton threw for two scores, and defensive end Antonio Joseph returned one of four Bloomingdale turnovers for a touchdown as the Wildcats won 28-14 to remain alive in Class 8A-6.
Wharton (5-2, 1-1) always had an answer for Bloomingdale (4-4, 0-2), which twice got within a score of the Wildcats. Joseph's 10-yard interception return of an Isaiah McIntyre pass gave Wharton a 20-7 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Litton, who threw for 215 yards on 11-of-23 passing, connected with Keith Hopkins for a 37-yard TD pass with five minutes to go after McIntyre's 30-yard strike to Adam Posateri (five receptions, 96 yards) had pulled the Bulls within 20-14.
"(Bloomingdale) was bringing six and seven people most of the time. I was shocked. This win keeps us in the (hunt). If we win out, we're okay," Litton said.
Don Jensen, Times correspondent