Clearwater Central Catholic (Florida) cruises past Trinity Catholic (Florida)

The Marauders dominated on both sides of the ball in a battle of 2022 state runner-ups

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA- Not playing a game in Week 1 because of a Covid 19 outbreak within the team didn’t do Trinity Catholic any favors on Friday night facing Clearwater Central Catholic. 

Both team finished as state runner-ups out of their respective classifications in 2022 as the Celtics were second in 1S and Marauders taking second in 1M, respectively. 

On Friday night at James Brian Thomas Stadium, the Marauders found a way to pull away in a game that was in contrast to last year’s meeting, which totaled 64 points. CCC defeated Trinity Catholic 35-10 in what was supposed to be one of the better matchups around the state. 

We give you three takeaways from this game between the Celtics and Marauders. 

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Jershaun Newton continues to do Jershaun Newton things

If there was ever any doubts of what the dual-threat quarterback means to his team, he quiets doubters every Friday night. 

This time around, it was a pretty resounding performance from the standout quarterback. Newton didn’t have to do much with his right arm because the Marauders didn’t really need to throw at all. 

CCC (2-0) ran the ball effectively with Newton being the spearhead of it all, going for 275 yards on 37 attempts as a team. Newton led the way with four total touchdowns and 140 combined yards between the pass and the run. 

Being able to do the little things extremely well, not turnover the football makes Newton such a solid quarterback all around. If CCC wants to get back to the Class 1M state championship game, he will need to continue his high level of play. 

If you ask Marauders head coach Chris Harvey, Newton needs to be looked at as one of the best players in the state. 

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Quarterback platooning at Trinity Catholic 

Now we don’t want to stir up anything in the quarterback room at Trinity Catholic, but it’s definitely something to take a deeper dive at. 

Trinity Catholic (0-1) proved down in the Florida Keys in a 59-13 win over Key West that they can put up points. It looked like the offense found a nice rhythm with North Marion transfer AJ Cussins at the controls in the first half after he came in for Preston Wright. 

What Celtics head coach John Brantley actually does with his signal callers is obviously up to him at the end of the day, but there’s no doubt that Cussins (80 yards passing) and Wright bring different dynamics throwing and running the ball. 

Wright likes to remain more of a pocket passer and keeps his eyes downfield to find the open man. Now Wright obviously has the ability to lead this team back to states as he did in 2022, but the team fell 21-3 back in December. The junior led a couple nice drives in the second half, finishing with 146 yards passing and a touchdown. 

Maybe the two quarterbacks move into more of a platooning, which is something a lot of teams are doing all around the state. Either way, you can’t go wrong with either quarterback at the helm. 

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Chris Harvey always has his CCC prepared for the big game 

It’s no secret the former University of Miami (FL) lineman always has his boys ready on Friday nights. 

Even with just one practice during the week. 

Hurricane Idalia derailed every head coach’s plans of having a full week of practice and the Marauders were not immune to that. Though the Celtics were in the same boat, getting ready for a team that didn’t play in Week 1 can be tricky. 

Not for the man from Man, West Virginia. Harvey made sure his team was ready for the run-heavy style of Trinity Catholic, holding the Celtics to 61 yards rushing on 23 carries. 

Forcing the Celtics to be more of a passing team isn’t quite their forte, but the Marauders made them turn to the air attack sooner than they’d like. Back to back weeks CCC has been challenged by tough competition and they’ve answered the bell. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl