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TC Clears Hurdles In Return To State Semifinals

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By BILL WARD | TBO.com

Published: December 3, 2008

TAMPA - Hours after his squad had knocked off Mulberry High, 10-0, in Friday's Class 2A regional final, the full impact of that result finally hit Tampa Catholic football coach Bob Henriquez: For the second straight year, the Crusaders (9-3) have reached the state semifinals. And with one more victory, they will return to the championship game.

"I literally didn't have time to reflect on everything until I got home that night," Henriquez said. "It was like, 'Wow, we're on the verge again.' "

Henriquez believes part of his dismay at the Crusaders' status is due to all the things his squad has endured this season. That includes a rash of early season injuries, the loss of several key athletes to other sports at TC and an 0-2 start.

More recently, Henriquez's coaching staff went though a slight shake-up, with some of his assistants leaving the program.

Still, Henriquez says this season has "flown by," while last year seemed "like a marathon." Now, Miami's Gulliver Prep (10-1) is the only thing stopping the Crusaders from another trip to the 2A title game in Orlando's Citrus Bowl.

Unlike last year's semifinal, the Crusaders will be home for Friday's game. But Gulliver is a high-powered team averaging nearly 38 points a game, including two 40-plus performances in the playoffs.

The Raiders may not match up size-wise with TC (Gulliver has 11 players who weigh more than 200 pounds; the Crusaders have 17), but Gulliver is loaded at the skill positions.

Gulliver senior running back Darian Mallary has rushed for 1,602 yards and 14 touchdowns on 131 carriers, junior quarterback Michael Straus has passed for 2,817 yards and 29 TDs, and four of his receivers — Daniel Rodriguez, Conner Vernon, Tacoi Sumler and Justin Mills — have teamed up for 181 receptions, 3,032 yards and 31 TDs.

Keep in mind, however, that during the regular season, the Raiders played just four teams that ended the year with a winning record.

"Some might say, 'Who did they play to get those numbers?' But at the end of the day, it's all relative and doesn't matter," Henriquez said. "Clearly, Gulliver is a talented football team or they wouldn't be here. What we have to worry about is what we as a team need to do — control the clock, take care of the football and make them earn what they get."

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456.

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