2025 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: Clearwater Central Catholic finds a beefed-up schedule in front of them for 2025

OVERVIEW

Clearwater Central Catholic will enter the 2025 season looking to build on their third consecutive trip to the state championship game, where they have finished as the state runner-up in the same number of trips. With a challenging schedule with several top-tier teams lined up, the Marauders will see if they can reach the state championship game for a fourth straight season as they hunt for the program's first state championship.

2025 SCHEDULE

Kickoff 7:30 pm unless noted

* – District

Week 1 – Fri. 8/22: at Berkeley Prep (Tampa), 7 pm

Week 2 – Fri. 8/29: at Sebring

Week 3 – Fri. 9/5: vs. Tampa Catholic

Week 4 – Fri. 9/12: at Clearwater

Week 5 – Fri. 9/19: vs. Gadsden County (Havana)

Week 6 – Fri. 9/26: vs. Indian Rocks Christian (Largo)

Week 7 – Fri. 10/3: vs. Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota)

Week 8 – Fri. 10/10: at Zephyrhills Christian, 7 pm

Week 9 – Fri. 10/17: at Venice

Week 10 – Fri. 10/24: BYE WEEK

Week 11 – Fri. 10/31: vs. Boca Ciega (Gulfport)

STRENTGH OF SCHEDULE

Clearwater Central Catholic enters the 2025 season with an SOS of .569 which is a formula that look at the past three years of win-loss records, which would put them in the midrange of strength of schedules. While it is too early to compare SOS with other teams around the state right now, this team could be among the top in Class 1A. Defending Class 7A state champion Venice will be the toughest opponent on the schedule; however, with the addition of Cardinal Mooney and Gadsden County – last year’s Class 2A state runner-up- this is a big reason why we feel the schedule will be even harder. Zephyrhills Christian, the third new addition to the schedule, certainly looks to be the easiest game on the schedule, but there are other games like Indian Rocks Christian – a district foe – and Boca Ciega that could be potential other games that are easier for the Marauders. When it comes to comparing the 2024 schedule, we say that this year’s schedule is even harder.

KEY GAMES & MUST-WATCH MATCHUPS

Considering that the Marauders have a difficult time keeping a grouping of opponents on the schedule, Tampa Catholic has become that rivalry game that will come in Week 3. As such, there is always hype around the game each year. Now, when it comes to the district game, what can you say when your district is a two-team district? If anything, the district game against Indian Rocks Christian is the most important game of the season if a district championship is to be hoisted, which will come right at the midway point of the season in Week 6. As for that Week 9 matchup with Venice? Easily the biggest non-district matchup that is going to test the ends and outs of Clearwater Central Catholic’s entire team.

HOME VS. AWAY BALANCE

Like most high school football teams in the Sunshine State, the balance of home games and away games on the schedule is traditional, with five each. However, there will be some instances of traveling that will start off the season as the Marauders will not have their home opener until Week 3 against Tampa Catholic. The longest road trip for the Marauder stands at 116 miles, with the trip to Sebring in Week 2. As such, during that first few weeks of the season, the Marauders will transition from being on the road to having more of their fans at home.

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN

Seven playoff teams appear on the Marauders schedule, with Venice being the most notable, having won the Class 7A state championship. Gadsden County, the Class 2A state runner-up, and Cardinal Mooney, a Class 2A state semifinalist, are also two other notable teams on the schedule. Unlike in 2024, there are no out-of-state opponents on the schedule, but there are three new teams on the schedule; Gadsden County and Cardinal Mooney are the two most notable teams as well. Of the playoff teams that are opponents, Boca Ciega could potentially be the weakest of those opponents, despite reaching the regional finals last year.

BYE WEEK PLACEMENT

When looking at the placement of the bye week, the Marauders will see their bye week come in Week 10. Unlike last year, where the bye week came in Week 8 prior to the Venice game, which gave the Marauders some rest and preparation time before matching up with the Indians, there will be no comfort this year in having that bye week prior to the biggest game of the season. Honestly, the bye week does not help nor hurt Clearwater Central Catholic if injuries do not pile up earlier during the season – something that can be unpredictable for any team.

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

District games matter the most, considering that winning a district championship is the only guaranteed way to secure a playoff berth. With the Marauders having only one district opponent with Indian Rocks Christian, they know this is the sure way into the postseason again. Key non-district games like Venice, Gadsden County, and Cardinal Mooney are the best games that will certainly boost the resume of the Marauders. Given the way the region looks, seeing Clearwater Central Catholic land the No. 1 seed again in Class 1A-Region 2 is a high probability regardless of what their record looks like – outside of a losing record.

PREDICTED RECORD & FINAL THOUGHTS

When looking at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the season, we feel that Clearwater Central Catholic could finish with a best-case scenario at 9-1 as we feel the Venice game is going to be the most difficult game on the schedule. When it comes to the worse-case scenario losses to Venice, Gadsden County and Cardinal Mooney is where we feel a 7-3 record could happen. However, at the end of the day, we feel that the Marauders will finish the 2025 regular season at 8-2, with losses likely coming against Venice and Gadsden County. Overall, Clearwater Central Catholic is setup for success in 2025 and the schedule will help with setting up for another deep playoff run.