MELBOURNE It was a heavyweight battle of epic proportions, and in the ninth and final overtime period, Melbourne Central Catholic earned its first-ever Class 3A regional title in a dramatic, nail-biting 69-62 thriller against Clearwater Central Catholic on Friday night at Hustlers Stadium.

It was a game for the ages and most of the rabid fans who witnessed the back-and-forth contest probably felt they had aged quite a bit by the end. But it was worth the wait for the undefeated Hustlers (11-0), who advanced to host Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna Friday in the state semifinals.

MCC is one step closer to the Class 3A final to be played in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m., but it certainly didn’t come easy.

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State runner-up in 2013, the Marauders were going for their fifth consecutive regional championship. Much like the Hustlers, Clearwater Central Catholic (9-2) had an explosive offense that averaged more than 40 points per game, so a shootout was expected. But the contest was deadlocked at 21 after regulation, which served as a prelude to what would come in the overtime periods.

In the final overtime period, Hustler quarterback Joaquin Collazo scored his third short touchdown run – and second overtime TD – for the decisive points.  But in the ensuing series, the Marauders’ talented dual threat, C.J. Cotman, was stopped one yard short of the goal line on fourth down. Cotman has verbally committed to Tennessee.

The defensive stop by the Hustlers led to bedlam on the field and in the bleachers as the marathon contest came to a dramatic conclusion.

In addition to Collazo’s heroics, a quartet of MCC standouts scored during the overtime periods:  Running back Jovan Simon contributed a trio of touchdown runs while Lorenzo Hardy and Bryce Fielding had one apiece.

“When the defense didn’t get it done, the offense did; when the offense didn’t get it done, the defense picked us up,” said first-year head coach Stacy Sizemore.  “We came together tonight, we got a W and we lived to play another week.”

MELBOURNE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 69,  CLEARWATER CENTRAL CATHOLIC 62 (9 OTs)

Clearwater CC 14  7  0  7  0  7  7  7  0 7  7  6  0 — 62

Melbourne CC  0  7  7  7 0  7  7  7  0  7  7  6 7 — 69

HOW THEY SCORED

1st Quarter

C – Jervon Newton 1 run (Preston McDonald kick) 5:58.

C – Newton 5 run (McDonald kick) 2:42.

2nd Quarter

C – Amari Burney 32 run (McDonald kick) 7:51.

M – Levi Wilson 32 interception return (Will McKegg kick) 4:21.

3rd Quarter

M – Lavonte Valentine 37 run (McKegg kick) 9:33.

4th Quarter

M – Joaquin Collazo 6 run (McKegg kick) 11:18.

2nd Overtime

C – C.J. Cotman 10 pass from Jakob Parks (McDonald kick)

M – Bryce Fielding 10 run (McKegg kick)

3rd Overtime

M – Jovan Simon 1 run (McKegg kick)

C – Deandre Ferguson 10 pass from Parks (McDonald kick)

4th Overtime

C –Ferguson 10 pass from Parks (McDonald kick)

M –Simon 1 run (McKegg kick)

6th Overtime

C –Parks 9 run (McDonald kick)

M –Lorenzo Hardy 10 run (McKegg kick)

7th  Overtime

M –Simon 1 run (McKegg kick)

C –Parks 3 run (McDonald kick)

8th  Overtime

C – Parks 4 run (kick failed)

M –Collazo 1 run (kick blocked)

9th Overtime

M –Collazo 1 run (McKegg kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing:  CCC — Jervon Newton 19-52, CJ Cotman 3-25, Amari Burney 2-40, Rashaad Stewart 5-21.  MCC — Lavonte Valentine 12-69, Lorenzo Hardy 4-20, Joaquin Collazo 15-52, Bryce Fielding 1-10, Favian Galindo 1-2.

Passing:  CCC — Parks 14-26-1, 170 yards.  MCC — Collazo 23-35-1, 286 yards.

Receiving:  CCC — C.J. Cotman 2-33, Newton 3-22, Burney 3-87, Deandre Ferguson 4-55.  MCC — Zamari Walton 3-56, Hardy 10-140, Levi Wilson 6-72, Valentine 1-0, Bryce Fielding 2-9, Nate Flemming 1-9.

High school sports | floridatoday.com/sports/high-school-sports/

Class 3A Regional Final

At Melbourne Central Catholic, Melbourne

Top performers: Clearwater: Running back Jervon Newton scored a pair of first half touchdown runs for a 21-7 lead. MCC: Defensive back Levi Wilson tipped and caught an intended Marauder pass and returned it 32 yards for the Hustlers first touchdown.

Key play: Trailing 21-0, MCC scored three consecutive TDs to tie the game and send it to OT. It all started with a Levi Wilson INT that went 22 yards for the Hustlers’ first score.

Record: Clearwater (9-2); MCC (11-0).

Next week: Clearwater Central Catholic or MCC vs. Chaminade-Madonna

Full game report: http://on.flatoday.com/2f9vfo5

John Janokaitis, for FLORIDA TODAY