Cardinal Mooney rallies past DeSoto County in preseason football

Briefly

The Cougars turned three DeSoto County second-half turnovers into 17 points in a 29-15 win. Quarterback Tristan Hillerich gave Mooney a lead with a 19-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, while freshman Daryl Crenshaw and sophomore Rees Swink scored on a 2-yard run and 13-yard reception, respectively, within a 2-minute, 15-second span.

Key to the game

The turnovers the Cougars forced in their territory, including an interception by senior Vinny Conetta at his goal line with 3:32 left in the second quarter.

Turning point

One play after a lost fumble by the Cougars, Mooney junior Jack Koscho intercepted a Malcolm Smith pass and raced 54 yards to the DeSoto County 34 with 4:03 left in the third quarter. The play led to a 34-yard field goal by Ryan Blechta.

Stars of the game

Cardinal Mooney

Hillerich: 167 yards of total offense, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown

Bryce Williams: a game-high 88 yards on 16 carries

DeSoto County

Cesar Barrajas: two field goals (45 and 30 yards), 1-for- 1 on extra-point kicks.

In their words

Cardinal Mooney coach Drew Lascari: “I’ll be flat-out honest. I’m disappointed. I thought our execution would be a lot better than what we displayed. I understand that it’s a preseason game and we have to work some kinks out, but quite frankly I’m disappointed.

Records: DeSoto County 0-0, Cardinal Mooney 0-0

Up next: Sebring at DeSoto County, Friday, 7 p.m.

Cardinal Mooney at Fort Myers Bishop Verot, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

CHAD BROCKHOFF, Herald correspondent

This story was originally published August 20, 2016 at 12:10 AM with the headline "Cardinal Mooney rallies past DeSoto County in preseason football."