The Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders have created their own opportunity to advance to the class 3A FHSAA state championship game. Slated as one of the top teams in Tampa Bay since the start of the season, the Marauders have convincingly grasped their spot in the playoffs.

A productive run attack and stingy defense have pushed CCC past the competition and into the driver seat, hosting University this Friday night in Round 3 of the playoffs. The stingy defense is led by junior LB, Ethan Thompson.

Thompson is quickly becoming a household name in Tampa Bay. 65 solo tackles, 49 assisted tackles, 114 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2PBU and 1 FR have made Thompson a guy the opponent must find every Friday night.

Since the end of the 2011 season, the goal for 2012 has been simple: Get to the playoffs. CCC lost a big game at the start of the season to 10-1 East Lake (36-21). The loss was probably the best thing that could have happened to highly confident Marauders. “The loss brought us back down to earth. We worked harder and got better” said Thompson. Behind the inspiration of teammate Bret Rein, CCC has been humble and hungry. “Most inspirational player would be Bret Rein. Broke his leg 4th game and he’s already able to dress for games again”.

Bret Rein’s inspiration helped CCC get over their biggest hump of the 2012 season thus far. Ethan says “Beating Tampa Catholic twice” was tough, but has made CCC playoff ready and playoff tested. In a one-sided game early October, CCC defeated TC 27-7. However faced a much more motivated Tampa Catholic team last week, inching past 10-7. The win bought CCC one more win and one game closer to the 3A state championship.

RECRUITING
Thompson expressed he has been highly impressed with Notre Dame even though they are not currently actively recruiting him. “Obviously Notre Dame impressed me the most. 12-0 is hard to do. Ohio State did also”. He is receiving recruiting interest from Duke and Florida Atlantic