Clearwater Central Catholic’s football season came down to a prayer.

And a play kids draw up in backyards. A play kids dream of. CCC quarterback Rory Hicks and his Marauders teammates got to live out that dream.

“I still get goose bumps," Hicks said. "It was just craziness.”

It’s called Hail Mary for a reason. It takes faith to try it and sometimes divine intervention to pull it off.

Former CCC head coach John Davis called the play – Hero – and the Marauders executed it. Hicks to Brett Seither for the game-winning touchdown in a first-round playoff win over Tampa Catholic.

“Whether you’re the guy throwing the ball, whether you’re the guy blocking for him, whether you’re the guy catching the ball, whether you’re the big fella on the sidelines that calls the play, it’s something that doesn’t happen for everybody," CCC head coach Chris Harvey said. "It was definitely something special.”

Hicks, a junior quarterback who helped lead his team to an undefeated regular season, transferred from Countryside. It’s a decision that’s paid off.

“I’m very happy," he said. "Just look where we are right now in the playoffs. It’s just been great.”

Hicks and the Hail Mary play kept Clearwater Central Catholic’s season alive, a season in which the team has been living on a prayer. The Marauders defeated Calvary Christian to advance to the Class 3A state semifinals Friday night.