Marauder Minutes

Playoffs: Round 2 

Regional Semi-Finals

Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders (9-2)

vs

Victory Christian Academy Storm (5-5)

Where: James Brian Thomas Stadium, Clearwater, Florida

When: 7:30pm, November 21st, 2025

Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/5409735?schoolId=FL5818

Live Stream: Link soon, will be streaming on NFHS

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Notes:

For the 19th time in school history, the Marauders won a first round playoff game and have advanced to the regional semi-finals. 

Last week, the Marauders raced out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back in a 45-0 win over Indian Rocks Christian. In the game, CCC's offense racked up just shy of 500 yards offense, while the defense surrended less than 70 total yards and came up with 3 interceptions. 

Victory Christian Academy, home of the Storm, enter the game with a 5-5 record; however, defeated rival Lakeland Christian 33-31 last week. The game, one of the bigger rivalries in Polk county, was a rematch from a week 9 district contest that saw LCS win 29-24 in the last 35 seconds of the game. 

The Storm are coached by Brett Smith, in his first year as the head coach at Lakeland Victory Christian. In total, the Storm are a traditional playoff qualifier as they've made the playoffs each season since 2012.

==========

History:

Clearwater Central Catholic has never played Victory Christian Academy in a varsity football game in the regular or post-season; however, the teams did meet in an officials clinic (pre-season) in the mid 2010's.

Maxpreps incorrectly lists Victory Christian Academy as defeating CCC in 2004 36-15. The team that CCC played that night was Evangel Christian, which closed in 2006. 

Victory Christian Academy opened its doors in 1994, but would not start a football program until 2006. 

==========

Notes:

1) When the Marauders take the field on Friday night, this will be CCC's 15th playoff game in 4 years, breaking a tie with the East Lake Eagles (2011-2014). That makes the current Marauder football team the most playoff experienced team in county history.

2) Brett Smith, head coach of Victory Christian, previously coached at Victory Christian in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he graduated from.

3) CCC is 11-8 all-time in second round playoff games; however, this deserves some context. 

Pre-2024, only 32 teams would qualify for the playoffs in smaller school classifications, while 64 would qualify in bigger school classifications. Due to this, the 2nd round playoff games for the bulk of CCC history were regional championship games. 

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #11 SENIOR NIGHT!!

Clearwater Central Catholic (7-2)

Vs

Boca Ciega (4-5)

Where: James Brian Thomas stadium, Clearwater, Florida

When: Friday, October 31st, 2025

Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3859999?schoolId=FL5818 

Notes: 

Fresh off of a late season bye week the Marauders enter the final game of the regular season ready to celebrate senior night. All senior nights are special as it truly represents the current generation of student athletes participating in their final regular season home football game; however, this one might be a bit more special not only for CCC, but for Pinellas county as a whole. 

The Marauder senior class, with 3 more wins, can become the all-time winningest class in Pinellas county history, in addition, Coach Chris Harvey is currently 99-25 and is actively coaching in only his 10th season. 

For the first time in quite some time, the Marauders appear to be healthy after playing a significant schedule over the past few weeks that included games against Venice and Cardinal Mooney. 

Boca Ciega enters the game with a deceptive 4-5 record. In 4 of the 5 losses, the Pirates were knocking on the door at half-time, in fact, against rival Lakewood, the Pirates lead 14-7, and against Palm Harbor U, 3-0 at the half. 

The Pirates are coached by Kelvin Smarwt in his second year; coach Smarwt is currently 11-11 as the head coach. In his first year at Boca Ciega, coach Smarwt lead the Pirates all the way to the class 3A regional finals. The Pirates could potentially make another run in 2025 as well.

Last week the Pirates dropped the district championship game to Sarasota Booker. Even with that loss, Boca Ciega has still done enough to secure either the 6th or 7th seed in Class 3A, Region 3.

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #8

Clearwater Central Catholic (7-1)

at

Venice (4-3)

Where: Powell-Davis Stadium, Venice, Florida

When: Friday, October 17th, 7:30pm kickoff

Stream: https://www.youtube.com/@VibrantAspectMedia

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Notes:

The Marauders hit the road for the final time in the 2025 regular season, taking a trip on I-75 south to Venice, Florida. The game will feature a match-up between national powerhouse and defending 7A state champion Venice, and 3 time defending class 1A state finalist CCC.

The Indians come into the game with a record of 4-3, but don’t let that record fool you. Venice is very much the favorite to repeat in class 7A. Two of those losses came to national powerhouses (IMG Academy, Orlando First Academy) and the third all the way back in week #1 to Tampa Bay Tech. 

CCC’s sole loss came to the FHSAA #1 ranked team in all of Florida, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, a team many feel will ultimately end up in the top 50 in the US. Last week, the Marauders knocked off Zephyrhills Christian 51-12.

Venice defeated district foe and rival Sarasota Riverview 46-23 to secure the Class 7A, District 8 championship.

The Indians are coached by John Peacock in his 27th year at Venice High School, 19th as head coach. Coach Peacock has lead the Indians to state championships in 2017, 2021 and 2024. 

Since both teams have already secured district championships, and the playoff spot that goes with it, this game is more to bolster each teams strength of schedule in their respective classifications.

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #7 HOMECOMING WEEK

 1A Clearwater Central Catholic (6-0)

vs

2A Sarasota Cardinal Mooney (4-1)

Where: James Brian Thomas Stadium, Clearwater, Florida

When: Friday, October 2nd, 2025. 7:30pm kickoff

Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3859989?schoolId=FL5818

Stream: https://tinyurl.com/4rzztmnf

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Notes:

CCC loves playing national teams for homecoming. Last year, the Marauders hosted St. Frances Academy from Baltimore, Maryland who would finish in the top 5 in the US.

This year the Marauders conclude a 3 game home stand against an old rival and current national powerhouse Sarasota Cardinal Mooney. Mooney enters the game as a top 80 team in the US, and is currently #10 in Florida according to Maxpreps. CCC is currently #21 according to Maxpreps.

HSFB America has CCC ranked as the #72 team in the US and Cardinal Mooney #204.

Cardinal Mooney is 4-1 on the season and is coming off of a impressive win over their diocesan rival Bishop Verot 49-14 down in the city of Palms (Ft. Myers). In the game, the Cougars feasted on Vikings turnovers in the first half to take a 35-0 lead at half-time lead and a 49-0 lead at the end of 3. 

The only loss that Cardinal Mooney has suffered this year was a game against another national power: Cherry Creek from Colorado. The game was played at Austin-Tillman Sports Complex in Orlando near Boggy Creek. 

CCC moved to 6-0 last week knocking off Indian Rocks Christian School behind a stellar effort in all 3 phrases of football. With the win, CCC took a huge step toward securing home field advantage throughout the regional rounds in the playoffs regardless if other teams finish 10-0 in the region or not. 

Cardinal Mooney is coached by Mooney alumni (and former QB) Jared Clark. Since taking over in 2020, coach Clark is 42-22 at Mooney and lead the Cougars to the 2023 state championship. 

Cardinal Mooney plays in Class 2A and is in a district with Lakewood and Tarpon Springs. 

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #4

Clearwater Central Catholic (3-0)

at

Clearwater High School (2-1)

Where: Jack. F. White Stadium, Clearwater, Florida

When: Friday, September 12, 2025. 7:30pm kickoff

Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3855802?schoolId=FL5819 

Live Stream: https://tinyurl.com/8fcuzbxw    
 
The link above is to the HUDL Fan account of Clearwater High School. 

Notes:

For the 4th consecutive season, the Marauders are off to a 3-0 start thanks to a 49-7 win last week over Tampa Catholic.  In the game, the Marauders defense set the tone and the offense quickly followed en route to a 42-0 half-time lead. 

Clearwater has had a road heavy start to their season; playing their first three games on the road.
 
 The Tornadoes opened with a quality 23-14 win at Bartow in Polk county ,and then traveled to Pasco and won 28-16 against a talented Wiregrass Ranch team. Last week, the Tornadoes lost for the first time in 2025 in a 28-7 game to Lakewood.

History:

Officially speaking CCC is 4-0 all-time against Clearwater High School. Unofficially? It’s a different story.

Between 2003 and 2009, CCC and Clearwater would meet every May in the yearly spring game. Since spring games are considered exhibition contests, there is little record of those games happening unless you were there. 

Each game was played at CCC as at that time in history, Clearwater played on a grass field and needed May/June to re-seed the grass. During this time period, the Marauders and Tornadoes would alternate wins.

After a multi-year break playing spring games, the teams would meet in the spring of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The teams officially met on the field for the first time in 2019, CCC won the first contest 48-42 in overtime. The Marauders would also win in 2020 in Clearwater,  42-20in 2023 ,and last year 42-14.

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week # 3 
 
 Clearwater Central Catholic (2-0)
 vs
 Tampa Catholic (0-2)
 
 Where: James Brian Thomas Stadium, Clearwater, Florida
 When: Friday, September 5th, 7:30pm kickoff

 
 Notes:
 
 For the 55th time in school history, the Marauders of CCC and the Crusaders of TC will meet on the gridiron in an early season match-up. For the Marauders, it’s the first home game of the season, for the Crusaders this is the second road trip to Pinellas county in as many weeks.
 
 Last Friday, the Marauders traveled to Sebring and picked up a strong 35-0 win in Sebring. The last time the Blue Streaks were shutout at home was back in 2016 to then Class 6A state runner-up, Lake Gibson.    
 
 In the game, the Marauders offense racked up just over 400 yards total offense, while the defense picked up 3 INT’s and limiting a good Blue Streak’s to 29 yards total offense. 
 
 Tampa Catholic dropped a 47-7 contest at St. Petersburg Catholic. Tied 7-7 at the end of one, the Barons were able to separate themselves in the 2nd quarter.  In week #1, Tampa Catholic dropped a competitive contest 7-6 to visiting Ocala Trinity Catholic.
 
 History:
 
 The all-time series record currently stands at 29-25 in favor of CCC. With few exceptions, the teams have met each season since 1965. Of the first 23 contests, CCC was 5-18. TC would dominate the mid to late 80’s until the late 90’s winning 11 in a row from 1986 to 1996. The teams did not play in 97 or 98. 
 
 1999 was the turning point; this was the year CCC finally defeated Tampa Catholic 16-14 in the regular season. The teams would meet again in a 2 quarter, 3 way shoot out and defeat TC again 7-0. 

Starting with the 2000 season, the Marauders have compiled a 22-7 record against Tampa Catholic. Currently, CCC owns a 4 game winning streak. Tampa Catholic’s last win in the series came in the covid season of 2020, a 35-0 win over CCC in week #1.  Last year, the Marauders won 48-7.

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #2

Clearwater Central Catholic (1-0)

at

Sebring High School (1-0)

Where: Fireman’s Field, Sebring, Florida

When: Friday, August 29th

Kickoff: 7:30pm
 
 Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/3987391?schoolId=FL6044 
Live Stream:  None
 
Marauder Minutes: 
 
Notes:
 
For the 7th consecutive season the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders and Sebring Blue Streaks will meet on the high school football gridiron.  This will be the 4th meeting in Sebring.
 
Last week, the Marauders picked up a gritty road win over the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers 20-21. In a game littered with big moments, the defense would not let a talented Bucs team into the endzone on a potential game-winning 2pt conversion play.
 
Sebring, like CCC, was also on the road last week; traveled east to Martin County high school in Stuart, Florida.  Down 10-0 at half-time, the Blue Streaks would start turning the tides due to a blocked punt. Late in the 4th quarter, the Streaks would take the lead thanks to a 35 yard field goal giving them a 13-10 win.

History:
 
 CCC lead’s the all-time series 5-1. Last year, the Marauders won 43-8. Sebring’s win came back in 2020, Sebring defeated CCC 21-16 in Clearwater. 
 
 This contest is the start of a new two year cycle with Sebring scheduled to return to Clearwater in 2026.
 

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #1: 

Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders

at

Tampa Berkeley Prep Buccaneers

Where: Stanford J. Newman stadium, Tampa, Florida 

When: Friday, August 22nd, 7:00pm

Tickets:  Will update once it becomes available

Stream: https://www.berkeleyprep.org/school-life/bbn/bbn1/

Marauder Minutes Podcast: https://marauderminutes.buzzsprout.com

Notes:

The regular season is officially upon us. Everything counts going forward! 

For the 6th consecutive year, the Marauders open the regular season against the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers in a much-anticipated regional match-up between two of the better teams in the state.

Last week, the Marauders dropped a 0-27 decision to Armwood in the kickoff classic. CCC showed flashes, but couldn't sustain drives against a veteran Hawks defense. The Berkeley Bucs won 28-0 on the road against Boca Ciega. The Bucs defense recorded 3 turnovers in the first half en route to a 21-0 HT lead.

The Buccaneers are coming off of a 6-5 2024 season, advancing to the regional semi-finals before running into national power Cocoa.

The Bucs are coached by Dom Ciao going into his 19th season at Berkeley. Ciao has lead the Bucs to a 140-59 record, including the 2023 Class 2A state championship. 

History:

There's a lot here; however, CCC leads the all-time series. Since 2007, the Marauders are 11-8 against Berkeley Prep, including 2-1 in the playoffs.  From 2020-2021, the Bucs won 3 in a row with that 3rd win coming in the 2021 regional championship game. Currently, the Marauders have won the last 3.

Trivia:

1) With the exception of 2020 (Covid season), the Marauders and Bucs have opened the season against each other every year since 2015. 

2) CCC Sr. Tyrique Harris is 1 sack away from setting the school record for sacks in a career, currently held by Keo Jenkins. 

3) In CCC school history, Berkeley Prep ranks #3 in teams that the Marauders have played the most in Varsity football. The last time that a Berkeley/CCC match-up did not happen in a season was 2014.  

The CCC J.V team kicks off their season this Thursday at JBT against Tampa Catholic. Kickoff is set for 6pm.

Go Marauders!

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Week #1

Clearwater Central Catholic (0-0)

vs

Tampa Berkeley Prep (0-0)

Where: Stanford J. Newman Stadium

When: Friday, August 22rd, 7:00pm

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!

Kickoff Classic

Clearwater Central Catholic

at

Armwood High School

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/5n6pmexw 

Stream: https://tinyurl.com/2ramrzve

Friday, August 15th 

7:30pm

Credit to Cole Thomas @cole_thomas64 on X for the awesome graphic!