CCC Marauders Spring Into Action With Win Over Seminole

It was not a pretty game. There were at least five penalties on each side, several timeouts were used to get in plays, and fatigue set in early.

And while the Warhawks closed the gap to 16-13 in the fourth quarter, CCC’s offense got the ball and ran the clock out, gaining several first downs to end the spring game with a win.

“We were gassed out there by the mid third quarter," said head coach John Davis. "Our conditioning is not up to speed yet.”

Fortunately, it’s still May. CCC has more than three months to get into shape for the season opener against East Lake. However, the game was far from bereft of positives.

The running game looked very good and CCC seems like they have several backs that can pound the rock against opposing defenses.

Justin Goodloe returns for his senior year and will likely see the bulk of the carries.

“He’s one of the best in that area. He was a 1,000 yard rusher for us last year,”  Davis said.

Goodloe seemed very comfortable with the ball in his hands and showed good burst and was very difficult to bring down. Goodloe also lined up at wide receiver in the game and is purported to play defensive back in the future as well.

“The kid is a football player and he’s unselfish,” Davis said.

Leading the way for runners is full back Blair Vaughan, who returns for his senior year. Vaughan is a bruiser that leads the way in the ground game. He goes about 6 foot 3 inches and 230 lbs. Vaughan not only blocks but is dangerous in short yardage situations. He converted a key third down in the first half for CCC and scored their second touchdown by smashing right through the middle of the Seminole defense.

Also carrying the ball for CCC will be speedster, Michael Stevenson. Stevenson will be a junior in the fall and he will line up all over the field, even defense much like Goodloe. Stevenson also returns punts and kick offs.

Further down the depth chart is soon-to-be junior Eric Davis. Davis is a talented runner also. He scored the second of CCC’s two touchdowns but will have to compete for touches with the other three backs.

Key to the Marauders’ success this year will be the play of first year quarterback, Blake Gomez.

Gomez will be just a sophomore in the fall but will have a huge responsibility. Teams are going to know he’s a first year, sophomore and that CCC has four good ball carriers. They will load the box and invite Gomez to throw the ball. He won’t have to throw for 3,000 yards this year but he will be needed to come up with critical plays throughout the year as opposing teams will no doubt try to put the onus on his shoulders.

Moving earth on the front line will be returning senior Ian Koch. Koch goes 6’4” and 240lbs and according to Coach Davis is a, “pretty special” player. Koch scooped up a fumbled snap in the first half and took it twelve yards up the field, shedding tacklers all the way. He will appear on the defensive line as well.

Chris Stine is another of the big-heavies up front. He goes 6’5” and 255 lbs. He returns for his sophomore year and strengthens a formidable offensive line. It’s easy to see that CCC is going to be a running team this year.

The first half looked great for CCC. They scored two touchdowns, moved the ball when they needed to, ran for first downs when Seminole knew they were going to run, and kept the Seminole offense on their own side of the field, most of the half.

In the second half fatigue began to set in on the Marauders.

“We’re obviously not ready for the fall yet but we’ve got time,” said Davis.

The fatigue showed especially on the defense. All game they had bottled up Brandon Trezza. In the second half, Trezza burned them on two big, touchdown runs, one for about sixty and the other for seventy.

The Marauders will take a break and resume practice on June 8.