{"id":410374,"date":"2026-09-25T14:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T14:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/410374\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T14:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T14:40:09","slug":"tampa-catholics-turnaround-faces-major-test-against-unbeaten-clearwater-central-catholic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/410374\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Catholic’s Turnaround Faces Major Test Against Unbeaten Clearwater Central Catholic"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampa Catholic<\/a> doesn’t have to look far to measure how much its football <\/a>program has changed in a year.<\/p>\n

Just look at what happened the last time the Crusaders played Clearwater Central Catholic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Marauders led 42-0 by halftime and won 49-7 last September on their way to a season in which Tampa Catholic finished 1-9.<\/p>\n

A year later, the Crusaders get another shot.<\/p>\n

Tampa Catholic enters Friday night’s rematch 4-1 under coach Mike Gregory, already quadrupling last season’s win total. Clearwater Central Catholic remains one of Florida<\/a>‘s top teams, bringing a 4-0 record and the No. 24 spot in the latest High School On SI Florida Top 25 to Tampa.<\/p>\n

There’s also more at stake than measuring Tampa Catholic’s improvement.<\/p>\n

Both teams are 1-0 in Class 2A District 6.<\/p>\n

Tampa Catholic’s Turnaround Starts With Protecting the Football<\/p>\n

Tampa Catholic opened the season with four consecutive victories over Jefferson, St. Petersburg Catholic, Nature Coast Tech and Berkeley Prep before suffering its first loss, 27-10 against Killian.<\/p>\n

Senior quarterback Chance Houston has been one of the keys to the turnaround.<\/p>\n

Through the four games represented in MaxPreps’ individual statistics, Houston has completed 48 of 71 passes for 843 yards and 10 touchdowns with only one interception.<\/p>\n

Senior Mannie McKinney has emerged as his leading receiver, catching 13 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. He’s averaging 24.9 yards per reception.<\/p>\n

Eric “EJ” Douglas has provided production in multiple roles, rushing for 290 yards while adding another 159 receiving yards.<\/p>\n

The challenge Friday will be maintaining that efficiency against a Clearwater Central Catholic defense capable of creating negative plays and turnovers.<\/p>\n

The Marauders have recorded 17 sacks and six interceptions through four games.<\/p>\n

Sophomore Na’im Jefferson leads CCC with 3.5 sacks, while junior Kellan Jackson and senior Dicarieze Williams have three apiece. Senior Daveon Belhomme has intercepted three passes.<\/p>\n

Tampa Catholic has largely avoided the mistakes that can quickly change a game.<\/p>\n

CCC has shown it can create them.<\/p>\n

Khayse Barrett Gives CCC Two Ways to Move the Ball<\/p>\n

Clearwater Central Catholic presents a different problem offensively.<\/p>\n

Senior quarterback Khayse Barrett has produced almost identical numbers with his arm and his legs.<\/p>\n

Barrett has completed 36 of 49 passes for 451 yards and four touchdowns. He has also carried 61 times for 461 yards and four scores.<\/p>\n

Through four games, Barrett has actually rushed for 10 more yards than he has thrown for.<\/p>\n

The Marauders as a whole have leaned toward the ground game, rushing for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns compared with 725 yards and six touchdowns through the air.<\/p>\n

When CCC does throw, junior Luke Wilson has emerged as Barrett’s primary target with 21 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n

CCC \u201828 QB Khayse Barrett finds \u201828 WR Luke Wilson across the middle with space as he takes it to the house<\/p>\n

XP NO GOOD. CCC up 6-0 middle of the 1Q @CCCMaraudersFB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QSeuLCbOW9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jaret Rojas (@RojasTalksTampa) August 21, 2026<\/a>Khayse Barrett Gives CCC a Dual-Threat Quarterback<\/p>\n

Clearwater Central Catholic creates a different challenge for Tampa Catholic’s defense.<\/p>\n

Senior quarterback Khayse Barrett has been nearly as productive running the football as he has throwing it.<\/p>\n

Barrett has completed 36 of 49 passes for 451 yards and four touchdowns while rushing 61 times for 461 yards and four more scores.<\/p>\n

Through four games, he has actually rushed for 10 more yards than he has thrown for.<\/p>\n

The Marauders have leaned heavily on their ground game overall, rushing for 976 yards and 14 touchdowns compared with 725 yards and six touchdowns through the air.<\/p>\n

Junior Luke Wilson has been Barrett’s leading target, catching 21 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n

Stopping Barrett and the CCC running game will be a significant test for Tampa Catholic.<\/p>\n

The Crusaders have intercepted seven passes in the four games represented in their MaxPreps statistics, including three by senior Carl Jones Jr., but have recorded only four sacks.<\/p>\n

Against a CCC offense averaging 244 rushing yards per game, Tampa Catholic’s first priority will be preventing Barrett and the Marauders from controlling the game on the ground.<\/p>\n

District 6 Stakes Add Importance to the Rematch<\/p>\n

Both teams have already taken an important first step in the Class 2A District 6 race.<\/p>\n

Tampa Catholic defeated Berkeley Prep 24-14 in its district opener.<\/p>\n

Clearwater Central Catholic opened district play with a 42-7 victory over Calvary Christian.<\/p>\n

That puts both teams at 1-0 in the district heading into Friday night’s matchup.<\/p>\n

For Tampa Catholic, however, this game carries an additional measuring stick.<\/p>\n

A year ago, the Crusaders were down 42 points to CCC before halftime.<\/p>\n

They went on to finish 1-9.<\/p>\n

Now they’re 4-1, protecting the football, producing explosive plays in the passing game and competing for position in the district race.<\/p>\n

Friday night will provide the clearest indication yet of just how much has changed.<\/p>\n

Clearwater Central Catholic (4-0) at Tampa Catholic (4-1)
When: Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: Tampa Catholic High School, Tampa<\/p>\n

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