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No Doubting Thomas: Marauders Can't Stop Star Running Back

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By SCOTT PURKS Tribune correspondent

Published: November 24, 2007

FROSTPROOF - Clearwater Central Catholic boarded a bus Friday afternoon and rode a couple of hours to Frostproof, where the Marauders hoped to stop one of the best backs in the nation (Carlton Thomas), and flip the result they suffered a little more than a month ago on the same field (a 47-7 loss).

"We truly were confident," CCC coach Mike Jalazo said. "We believed if we played well, we'd have a chance."

Three touchdowns and 254 rushing yards by Thomas later, the Marauders boarded the bus back to Clearwater smarting from a 32-10 loss in the second-round of the Class 2B playoffs.

"But it's not like we still didn't have our chances," Jalazo said.

Most notably was when CCC (7-5) cut the gap to 18-7 early in the third quarter and appeared to have seized the momentum.

On CCC's next punt, however, Frostproof's Nickell Robey caught it at his 26-yard line and raced untouched for a touchdown.

"That play was the killer," Jalazo said. "That turned everything around."

The other significant play in Jalazo's mind was a 45-yard punt return by his own Michael Leandri, who would have raced in for a touchdown if not for Thomas, who jumped on Leandri's back at the Frostproof 18.

From there - with 7 minutes remaining and trailing 25-7 - CCC stalled on downs, and Jalazo said, "That was about it for us."

"That just goes to show how good of a player Thomas is," Jalazo said. "He never stops running. He never stops making plays. That was a little thing, a tackle on a punt return. But it was huge."

With his effort Friday night, Thomas, ranked the No. 11 all-purpose back in the nation by rivals.com, went over2,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season and secured a spot for the Bulldogs (10-2) in next week's state semifinals at Pahokee.

Overall, Frostproof coach Brad Metheney was pleased but not completely satisfied after his team was penalized for 165 yards on 18 flags, five of which had touchdowns called back.

"Even though we basically gave away five touchdowns, I still felt like we were in control," Metheney said. "I thought our defense was exceptional tonight.

"I think if we can clean up those penalties we should be in good shape."

In the end, CCC gained only 188 total yards (42 rushing) and collected only four first downs.

"But thing is, we never stopped fighting," Jalazo said. "I'm proud of the way we kept fighting right to the end."

F- Thomas 75 run (run failed)

F-Robey 7 run (pass failed)

C-Graziose 38 pass from Henderson (Ijjas kick)

F-Robey 74 punt return (Hurst kick)

C-FG Ijjas 43

F-Thomas 29 run (Hurst kick)

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