Banged-up Tampa Catholic needs the week off

Posted Sep 15, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 15, 2011 at 03:18 PM

The open week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Tampa Catholic football team.

Four Crusaders starters on defense, some of whom see duty of offense, went down with injuries following last Friday’s victory over Zephyrhills. The fifth player, linebacker Alec Maughan, was already sidelined with a separated shoulder suffered in the previous week’s game.

Those injured against Zephyrhills include defensive back/receiver Tyree Holder, who has a bruised knee, linebacker TJ Harrell and safety Willie Conley, who both have high ankle sprains, and defensive back/running back/receiver Zach Dyer, who has rolled his ankle and appears to have a partially torn ligament in the joint.

Crusaders coach Bob Henriquez says the ankle injuries could require more than the open week to recover from, but he says the setbacks will offer other players on his squad opportunities.

“This is where we need guys to come in and step up,” Henriquez said. “Every football team is going to have injuries. You have to have guys willing and able to step up their game and keep the team going.”

TC, 2-0, returns to action next week against Class 8A opponent Bloomingdale, which enters its game Friday against East Lake 2-0. It’s the first 2-0 start by the Buls in 17 years.