Reese breaks passing mark

SARASOTA — After completing an 18-yard pass for a first down on Cardinal Mooney’s opening possession, quarterback Reese Vita ran up to the line of scrimmage and began calling out the next play.

But, before the East County resident could get the play off, Cardinal Mooney coach Josh Smithers called a time out — he had something to tell Vita.

It wasn’t until the Cougars’ public announcer came on with 9 minutes, 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter of last Friday’s non-district contest that the news broke. Vita, an East County resident, had just surpassed Jamie Burke as Cardinal Mooney’s all-time leader in career passing yards. Burke set the mark of 3,375 yards back in 2001.

A roar of applause filled Austin Smithers Stadium at John Heath Field, as Vita’s teammates congratulated him.

“I know a ton of really great quarterbacks have come through here, and it’s just an honor to be at the top of that right now,” Vita says. “I’m sure it will be broken one day because that’s what records are for — they are meant to be broken, but it’s a huge honor to be holding a piece of history like that.”

The news came as a shock to Vita, who had no idea he was even close to the mark even though he had personal aspirations of breaking the record before leaving Cardinal Mooney.

Vita finished with 209 yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars’ 49-7 homecoming victory over St. Pete Catholic.

Vita achieved the milestone in only two-and-a-half years as a starter.

“I was surprised, but I’ve been preparing myself and working hard to get to a point like this,” Vita says. “My coaches have all pushed me toward that goal, and now I’m living it, which is pretty awesome.”

“His leadership is crucial to the success of our offense,” coach Josh Smithers says of Vita. “He’s been a great leader for us, and its nice for him to get some accolades too.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].