Not many programs come out of a regional final looking for a bounce-back season. Clearwater Central Catholic is not most programs.
The Marauders return one of the area’s most dynamic quarterbacks, their top three receivers and a senior-heavy defense, all pointed at a deeper run after a two-point loss to Carrollwood Day ended the 2025 season in the elite eight.
That counts as a setback here. Under coach Chris Harvey, one of the best in Pinellas County, CCC made three straight trips to the state championship game, running into state powerhouse and personal nemesis Chaminade-Madonna each time. Harvey also has three straight final four appearances, from 2017 through 2019, and three regional final berths in 10 years at the school.
“We have big expectations,” Harvey said at a recent preseason media event at the Buccaneers’ training facility. “We show our players how to step up and be better. We show them we don’t play around at CCC.”
The quarterback is the biggest reason to believe. Khayse Barrett has started since stepping in as an injury replacement during his sophomore playoff run, and the 200-pound senior took his game to another level last season, completing 75% of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while running for 604 yards and five more scores. He slid to running back during the regional final against Carrollwood Day, with senior Sean Hickey II (663 passing yards, five touchdowns) taking snaps to give the offense another look.
Barrett throws to a deep group. Junior Luke Wilson caught 31 passes for 583 yards and five touchdowns last season, senior home run threat Pharoah Tillman added 21 catches for 560 yards and five scores, and classmate Malik Newton chipped in 27 catches for 382 yards and three TDs.
An aggressive, athletic offensive line has been a hallmark of CCC’s offense, and this year is no exception. After a season in which the Marauders leaned more on the run, senior guard Jaxson Edds expects a more balanced attack.
“I love run blocking. There’s no better feeling than to dominate the other team,” Edds said. “This year, we’ll see a lot more passing. Our O-line is pretty balanced and we have a lot of weapons. I take a huge amount of pride in our work, because without us it doesn’t happen.”
The defense brings back its two most productive players. Senior J.J. Schiavello paced the secondary with more than 90 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
“We all have a great relationship,” said Schiavello, who has been around the program for seven years, since tagging along with older brother Carson. “I like to lead by example, it’s the best way. I go 100 percent all the time.”
Classmate Dicarieze Williams supplied the punch up front and in the box with 127 tackles and two sacks.
“Last year, we had lots of young players and they’re coming back more developed,” Williams said. “I’m a leader and we’ll be better on defense than before.”
Junior Kellan Jackson, who had two interceptions in 2025, lines up alongside him. “We communicate well and we have a strong brotherhood between us at linebacker,” Williams said.
The pair gets help from two East Lake transfers, linebacker Larkin Dudley (104 tackles last season) and defensive back Desmond Lee (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries), who arrive as pass rusher Kamryn Andrede departs for Armwood.
CCC will need every bit of that depth. Final four participants Palmetto and Port Charlotte open the season, Class 2A state champion Cardinal Mooney waits at midseason, and new district foes Calvary Christian, Berkeley Prep and Lakewood are in the mix.
Edds has a simple key to it all.
“We have to have belief as a team,” he said. “We’ve really bonded, we have a lot of weapons and a lot of opportunities to show how good we are.”
Clearwater Central Catholic
District: Class 2A-6
Schedule: Aug. 21 vs. Palmetto; Aug. 28 vs. Port Charlotte; Sept. 11 vs. Calvary Christian; Sept. 18 at St. Petersburg Catholic; Sept. 25 at Tampa Catholic; Oct. 2 at Cardinal Mooney; Oct. 9 vs. Berkeley Prep; Oct. 16 at Boca Ciega; Oct. 23 at Lakewood; Oct. 30 vs. Clearwater