Tampa Catholic High School is a unique football program. In 2019, the Crusaders went to the Region 3 Final in the Class 4A Florida State Playoffs. This playoff run was off the back of a mediocre 5-5 season. Call it a fluke if you want, but I think it goes much deeper than that.
For the last 20 seasons, Tampa Catholic has been on the wrong side of a ruthless cross-town rivalry with Jesuit High School. That is right. Tampa Catholic has lost the past 20 consecutive years when playing in their annual game against Jesuit. This rivalry has overshadowed the potential greatness of this program.
After the 2017 season, the Tampa Catholic administration looked within its program to promote a new head coach. This selection was ex-NFL drafted wide receiver Jeris McIntyre. Interestingly enough, McIntyre was a part of the last team to beat Jesuit in the rivalry. Eighteen years later (at that point), he was given the program’s reins to conquer that one game on the schedule each year.
Coach McIntyre’s first two seasons were unsuccessful, but I think that 2020 could be the year. McIntyre has a plethora of returning talent. As of July, the Crusaders have four seniors that will be playing Division 1 football next fall. This talent level is rare for any program, and it does not stop there. Several of the underclassmen, such as sophomore Lewis Carter, have already been recognized by Power 5 programs with many offers. This group is ready for the 2020 season, and it will show that this is one of the most talented teams that Tampa Catholic has had in many years. Coach McIntyre stated that “in terms of talent we are there, if not more talented [than last year’s team].”
Tampa Catholic’s 2020 schedule yields itself to the potential of a record-breaking year. There are a few tough matchups. Week 3 against powerhouse Clearwater Central Catholic will be a necessary early test for this team, but besides the final game against Jesuit, the schedule is manageable. With the right preparation, the team’s health, and mindset, I can envision great things for the group of young men at Tampa Catholic High School.
Offense
The 2019 season was outstanding for the offense at Tampa Catholic. With many young skill positions, the expectations were blown out of the water early on. They finished the year averaging 26.2 PPG and settled into their groove. The offense is not based on any scheme as the Crusaders adjust to exploit any weaknesses that their opposition may have. This skill is hard to grasp for many programs but Tampa Catholic masters it. Look out for this group of the Crusaders in 2020 as they continue their dominance from all aspects on offense.
Young Talent Shining Bright
One of the most exciting and talented players on Tampa Catholic’s team is Class of 2023 standout, Lewis Carter. Carter is classified as an athlete because of his ability to play on any side of the ball that he is needed. As a freshman, Carter had over 500 yards from scrimmage. Any film of his breakout plays can be broken down to one strength of many coaches’ favorite attribute, speed. In addition to this speed, Carter is one of the strongest players on the team. Coach McIntyre describes Carter as “one of the strongest and fastest players on the team.” McIntyre also adds with “[Carter is] one of the most talented guys in the 2023 class in the county.” This is a big statement for McIntyre, but it is backed by Division 1 offers that Carter has already received. Carter’s offer list includes Penn St., UCF, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Arizona St. With only one year of high school football under his belt, I expect this number to grow exponentially.
Carter and the rest of Tampa Catholic’s 2020 offense is led by sophomore quarterback, Xavione Washington. Washington had a smaller role in 2019 and is looking to step into the spotlight this year. Coach McIntyre describes Washington. “He can run, he can throw, and a very smart kid.”
The Crusaders are going to need Washington if they want another shot at a lengthy playoff run. Now with one year of high school football under his belt, Washington is going to be that much better this year.
Out wide alongside Carter is another athlete Jaime Smiley. Smiley plays both wide receiver and defensive back for the Crusaders. Smiley’s impact will be larger in 2020 as more seniors leave gaps to be filled by this younger group of talent.
Backfield Depth
Coach McIntyre has been given a good problem to have at the running back position. Too many talented ball carriers. This problem has morphed into a rotation led by senior Raphael Ekechi and sophomore Antoine Hill. Ekechi plays all over the place for the Crusaders and is another player with the talent level fitting many positions. His home is in the backfield, where he rushed for over 500 yards last season and 2 touchdowns. Given the situation in the crowded running back group, these numbers are impressive. Hill, on the other hand, is a born running back with the potential to become one of the premier players in Tampa Catholic history. Hill rushed for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a freshman and scored 10 times for the Crusaders. These 10 touchdowns came in the form of both rushing and receiving over last year. Hill’s explosion as a freshman certainly put him on the map of recruits for 2023. Going into 2020, Coach McIntyre plans to utilize Ekechi, Hill, and even Carter in the backfield. This three-headed monster is going to be extremely hard to stop.
Huge Offensive Line
Adding to the talent in the backfield, the Crusaders offensive line is in safe hands in 2020. Led by the 6-6 305-pound Sandlin twins, both committed to Florida Atlantic, and the protection will give Washington plenty of time to make plays in the pocket. Also yielding plenty of room for the three running backs to make game-changing plays, the offensive line will be an excellent foundation for the offense. Complementing Jordan Sandlin and Jaden Sandlin is another Division 1 bound senior, Cole Essek. Essek is committed to Appalachian St. and is another Crusader that plays on both sides of the ball. Listed as a tight end, the 6-7 athlete is more of a second offensive tackle than anything else. Always sealing the edge on offense, Essek will be another key to this morphing offense throughout the season.
All aspects of any great offense are covered in depth for the Tampa Catholic Crusaders. I expect to see another record-breaking year from this talented group as they look for that regional title in 2020.
Defense
The Tampa Catholic defense was unbelievably strong in 2019. They were the anchor of the team and held quality offenses to limited outbursts of points. Coach McIntyre is an offensive-based coach, as he played wide receiver professionally, but the Tampa Catholic defense is one of the program’s strengths. The Crusaders’ defense takes a very similar approach to the offenses scheme. They do not have a strict 3-4 or 4-3 look, but instead, they shift to whatever will put their opponent at the largest disadvantage.
A Veteran Leads the Way
With several 2 way athletes on defense, the talent is there for the Crusaders. There are few holes left from the 2019 seniors and many talented young athletes coming back. The most talented player on defense is a toss-up between DD Snyder and the familiar Lewis Carter. Playing in his final year with Tampa Catholic, Snyder has been through the recruiting process for playing at the next level. The 3-star hard-hitting defensive back is committed to the University of Illinois and is the only Crusader to be going to a Power 5 program next fall. Snyder pairs exceptionally well with the very athletically talented defensive back Lewis Carter. Carter is a menace on defense as he has a natural knack for football (as seen when he gets the ball on offense).
Moving to the defensive line, there are going to be some familiar faces. With tight end and defensive end Cole Essek on the edge, the pressure will be on the opposing quarterback all game long. On the other side of the line is 2019 standout sophomore, Kentrell Covington. Covington had 45 total tackles and 4 sacks in his first year on the Tampa Catholic squad. Covington is looking to compete with Essek for a top defensive lineman in 2020.
The linebacker core for the Crusaders is the heart of this defense. Led by senior middle linebacker Edward Zanato, the young linebackers have a great mentor. Zanato led the team in tackles last season with 123 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack. Zanato plans to improve his ability to catch the football this season as he believes that he can compete with many of the defensive backs for team interception leader.
The defensive backs for the Crusaders are led by prominent stars, DD Snyder and Lewis Carter. Carter had a fantastic year from safety as he racked in 79 total tackles. This feat is impressive for many senior linebackers, let alone a freshman two way player. DD Snyder fell into a lot more coverage as he intercepted 2 passes and had 42 total tackles. Among these two are athlete Jamie Smiley and pure defensive back Adrian Ramsey. Ramsey is a rising junior that is one of few pure positioned players on this Crusaders team. This clear focus on his craft will result in head-turning stats this season.
The 2020 group of defensemen for the Crusaders will be very similar to the lockdown squad that anchored last year’s regional runner-up team. Many of these players are maturing fast and, in the process, becoming outstanding athletes. Tampa Catholic’s defense is ready to produce big plays in 2020.
Overview
Coach Jeris McIntyre has quite a talented group of players this season. Many of the returners were starting standouts last year and will continue their dominance. This experience will make a difference as the long gauntlet of the season wears weaker teams down. I am excited to see the Crusaders hopefully standing atop the Region 3 tournament and bringing their skills to that player-favorite Class 4A Florida State Tournament.
