Prior to the season, Clearwater Central Catholic coach Mike Jalazo suggested that if the team remained healthy, it has “a chance to be pretty good,” Jalazo said at the time.

The last time he made such a prediction, the Marauders advanced to the Class 2B state semifinal before losing to Pahokee.

But this season almost became a nightmare for CCC as the Marauders were riddled by injuries, including starting quarterback Brett Henderson and top defensive players Kyle Rettig and Anthony Cochran. At one point, the Marauders had eight starters out with injuries. As a result, the team sputtered and needed a district win over Sarasota Cardinal Mooney to secure a playoff berth, it’s XXX consecutive trip to the postseason.

But the team is starting to get healthy now, as evidenced by CCC’s 23-0 win over previously undefeated Crescent City in the Class 2B-3 region semifinals last week.

Part of the reason for the win is that Jalazo noted, now healthy, the team is starting to get used to playing with each other again.

“It almost feels like we’re starting the season, only we’re in November,” Jalazo quipped.