Football Friday

Top Performers
Cardinal Mooney linebacker Sam Leonard tackled ODA’s Najee Rhodes in the end zone for a safety in the first quarter. He also scored on a 49-yard run with less than a minute to play.

Lakewood Ranch quarterback Chad Rex rushed for 98 yards and scored the Mustangs’ lone touchdown on a 1-yard carry.

Cardinal Mooney defensive back Sean Morris Jr. intercepted a pass and returned it 91 yards for a touchdown.

Observer Game of the Week
Oct. 24 (7:30 p.m.)
Braden River at North Port
Braden River sits atop the Class 7A-District 10 standings alongside Palmetto at 2-0. The Pirates can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Bobcats, who have lost five straight games and are 0-3 in the district.

Game Changer
Blair Perry
Wide Receiver
Cardinal Mooney

Perry caught touchdown passes of 20 and 14 yards on Cardinal Mooney’s first two possessions to give the Cougars the early lead. Perry finished with five catches for 74 yards.

+ Cougars clinch playoff berth
The Cardinal Mooney High football team cruised to a 64-0 victory against rival The Out-of-Door Academy in its Class 3A-District 6 opener Oct. 17.

The Cougars scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 possessions and took a 43-0 lead at halftime. Quarterback Reese Vita threw for 164 yards and three touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Blair Perry.

Cardinal Mooney linebacker Sam Leonard recorded a safety and also scored on a 49-yard run in the final minute of the game.

With the win, the Cougars clinched a berth in the playoffs. Cardinal Mooney will seek to defend its district title Oct. 31 versus Bishop Verot.

“It was probably one of the best feelings of my life,” Leonard says of his touchdown.

“We were all really excited the whole week in practice to come out and go 1-0 in the district to begin with,” Leonard says. “That’s got our motivation really high to beat Bishop Verot now.”

SCORE BOARD
Week 8 // Oct. 17

Cardinal Mooney 64
ODA 0

Palmetto 31
Lakewood Ranch 7