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Tampa Catholic 35, Inlet Grove 7

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TBO.com

Published: November 17, 2007

TAMPA - Ahead 14-7 late in the first half, Tampa Catholic's lead on Riviera Beach Inlet Grove was tenuous at best.

One pass changed that.

Christian Green's 65-yard touchdown bomb to Kenny Broadnax with 17 seconds left in the half propelled the Crusaders to a 14-point halftime lead en route to a 35-7 Class 2A regional quarterfinal victory Friday night.

Tampa Catholic (9-2) will travel to Clewiston next Friday for a regional semifinal. Clewiston defeated Fort Myers Bishop Verot 26-13.

The Crusaders took over at their 6-yard line with 1:13 remaining in the half. After grabbing an early 14-0 lead, the Crusaders had punted three times and thrown an interception on the four possessions before their final drive of the half.

"We just can't turn over the ball in big games like this," Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez said.

But Green's touchdown pass put the Crusaders in control. And the first two plays of the drive were instrumental in setting up the scoring heave.

First, tailback Drew Zink - who rushed for 78 yards on the night - took it 24 yards for a first down. Green followed that with a 10-yard pass to Matt Mudano. After a Tampa Catholic false start, Broadnax streaked down the middle of the field and Green hit him in perfect stride. Suddenly the Crusaders led 21-7.

"We dug ourselves out of a hole to give us a chance to take a shot," Henriquez said. "Kenny ran past their fastest player to make that catch. That sequence of three plays was the key to the football game."

The Crusaders came out in the second half and scored on their first two possessions, both rushing touchdowns by Henry McCloud, who gained 56 yards on eight carries in the game.

Green, who rushed for 25 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another 134 yards, loved the play-call on the touchdown pass.

"I think that play set up the momentum for the second half and gave our defense some energy and confidence," Green said.

The Crusaders' defense played well the entire game, not allowing the Hurricanes (6-5) an offensive point. Inlet Grove scored its only points on an 87-yard punt return by Keith Huff, cutting the Crusaders' lead to 14-7 with one second left in the first quarter.

In fact, the Crusaders held the Hurricanes to fewer net yards (68) than Huff's touchdown return.

That included stifling the Hurricanes' running game to the tune of minus-41 yards. Inlet Grove quarterback Terry Bradden threw for 109 yards, but completed fewer than half his passes, absorbed four sacks and threw two interceptions. Both turnovers led to Tampa Catholic touchdowns.

"We were back to our old ways of flying around and hitting the football," Henriquez said.

TC-Green 1 run (McLaughlin kick)

IG-Huff 87 punt return (James kick)

TC-Broadnax 65 pass from Green

(McLaughlin kick)

TC-McCloud 30 run (McLaughlin kick)

TC-McCloud 2 run (McLaughlin kick)

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