Cougars bound for the postseason

The Cardinal Mooney football team clinched its first playoff berth since 2008 with a 62-0 victory over Class 3A-District 6 rival The Out-of-Door Academy Oct. 18.

With the loss, ODA (1-6) was eliminated from playoff contention.

Cardinal Mooney (5-1) racked up 473 yards of total offense in a game that was decided at the end of the first quarter, as the Cougars took a 35-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Cardinal Mooney took an early 7-0 lead on a 7-yard run by Demardre Patterson.

The Cougars extended their lead on ODA’s ensuing possession when Clark Horne recovered a fumble and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

Patterson added a 15-yard touchdown run and quarterback Reese Vita connected with Austin Leach for a 45-yard touchdown.

A series later, Leach returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown to give Cardinal Mooney a 35-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Patterson found the end zone twice on runs of 26 and 43 yards.

Cardinal Mooney scored its final two touchdowns of the night in the second half. Vince Sellers ran for a 76-yard touchdown and Eric Kreger, who had an interception earlier in the game, added a 12-yard touchdown run.

Patterson carried the ball seven times for 148 yards and four touchdowns. Sellers had five carries for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Vita completed 4-of-5 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Leach hauled in three catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Cardinal Mooney returns to non-district action Oct. 25 versus Victory Christian before traveling to Fort Myers Bishop Verot Nov. 1 for the district championship.

Meanwhile, ODA will travel to St. Stephen’s.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].