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Strong 2nd Half Lifts Crusaders

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By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 22, 2008

TAMPA - Having reached the Class 2A state championship game a season ago, Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez knew a two-point halftime deficit was no time to panic. Especially in the regional semifinals.

A suffocating defense and junior quarterback Christian Green proved the coach correct.

Tampa Catholic held visiting Inlet Grove to just 31 yards and no points in the second half and Green factored in a pair of touchdowns as the Crusaders (8-3) pulled away for a 27-9 victory Friday.

"Experience means a lot, especially this time of year," Henriquez said. "These guys have been in tough ball games before and this is a heady group, so they don't respond to a lot of rah, rah stuff.

"We were pressing a bit in the first half and let a few opportunities get away. I said if we could score to open the second half, we'd be in good shape."

Tampa Catholic, which will play host to Mulberry in the regional final, actually waited until its second possession of the second half to re-take the lead. Green's 3-yard keeper with four minutes remaining gave the Crusaders a 14-9 advantage. His 36-yard scoring strike to a wide-open Kenny Broadnax early in the fourth put the game away.

Green is "so capable of making plays that he often tries too hard," Henriquez said. "I told him to let the game come to him in the second half and he did."

TC-Joiner 5 pass from Green (McLaughlin kick)

IG-Haynes 37 pass from Braddenn (pass failed)

TC-Green 3 run (McLaughlin kick)

TC-Broadnax36 pass from Green (McLaughlin kick)

TC-FG McLaughlin 29

TC-FG McLaughlin 31

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