Cougars capture district crown

The Cardinal Mooney High football team captured the Class 3A-District 10 crown with a 35-10 victory over Fort Myers Bishop Verot Nov. 1.

Trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, running back Demardre Patterson scored on a 10-yard run to give the Cougars a 7-3 lead. Patterson added a 4-yard run later in the first quarter to extend Cardinal Mooney’s lead to 14-3.

After a scoreless second quarter, quarterback Reese Vita ran in from 3 yards out to give the Cougars a 20-3 lead in the third quarter.

Bishop Verot responded with a 42-yard touchdown pass to open the fourth quarter.

Later in the fourth quarter, Patterson scored a 37-yard touchdown and Vince Sellars added a 5-yard touchdown run to secure the victory for Cardinal Mooney.

Patterson carried the ball 36 times for 257 yards and three touchdowns to lead the way for the Cougars. Alex Sobczak and Sellars each had an interception for the Cougars.

With the win, Cardinal Mooney will host St. Petersburg Catholic in the Class 3A-Region 3 semifinals Nov. 15.

The Cougars will close out the regular season Nov. 8 at Booker.  

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].