“I’m encouraged“ Trinity Catholic shows improvement in Florida High loss
The Trinity Catholic (1-4) and Florida High (4-1) football rivalry has brewed since the 2021 FHSAA regional final. Their annual matchup went to the visiting Seminoles 37-28 on Friday night.
There’s a deep respect between these two teams. Seniors and juniors remember suiting up for a game with state championship implications two seasons ago. Trinity Catholic head coach John Brantley and Florida High coach Jarrod Hickman have locked horns since 2003.
“I’m encouraged,” Brantley said. “I’m excited about the improvement, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but we can’t make mistakes; I don’t care who you’re playing. As good as Florida High is, you’re not going to make mistakes like we did tonight and win a football game, and we were still there at the end.”
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As for the on-field action, it was shrouded in a playoff atmosphere. Things got chippy, with helmets being ripped off and a punch being thrown by both sides. While the referees' flags flew high, they certainly let them play.
Both teams had big moments. Lineman Gerrick Gordon recorded a career first pick-six during a pivotal moment in the second half. Overall, the Celtics' offense looked much-improved from their week four matchup against Carrollwood Day, while the defense continued to make plays in pressure situations.
Celtics quarterbacks Preston Wright and AJ Cussins made big plays. Wright found his receivers downfield, throwing a touchdown, and Cussins flashed a power running game that included a rushing touchdown at the goal line.
No one came up as big as Florida High sophomore safety Gabriel Miley. He broke up Trinity Catholic’s final drive with a ball-hawking pick-six with a second left in the clock. The play sealed the game for the Seminoles, and Miley saw the play forming before the ball was snapped.
“In my head, I’m just thinking about what I can do to make the team successful and go down this trip we want to be on,” Miley said. “He took his steps, broke, and saw the quarterback looking, and I immediately thought, 'That’s mine.' The rest was history.”
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Underclassmen seals game with pick six in budding rivalry game
