2002 Cayley Problem 19

The sum of the digits of the integer equal to 777\,777\,777\,777\,777^2 - 222\,222\,222\,222\,223^2 is

\textbf{(A)}\ 148\quad \textbf{(B)}\ 84\quad \textbf{(C)}\ 74\quad \textbf{(D)}\ 69\quad \textbf{(E)}\ 79

If there are no answer choices shown, enter a numerical answer.

Full credit to this problem is given to the CEMC, you may view all Cayley contests here.