North escapes with win
NAPLES — Call it ugly or workman-like, but a win is a win and that’s what the North Fort Myers Red Knights accomplished Friday night, defeating the Golden Gate Titans 18-7.
“Any win is a good win, especially on the road,” said Red Knights coach Barry Goettemoeller. “We didn’t play very well, really, in all phases of the ball. We had some big penalties on offense, but a win is a win.”
Goettemoeller’s complaints mostly were on special teams and the defensive side of the ball where the Red Knights had trouble with tackling, and giving the Titans extra yardage by penalty. A pair of interceptions by starting quarterback Mike Nelson raised the coach’s ire.
The Red Knights still managed to hold the Titans to less than 200 yards of total offense, while his own offense controlled the clock.
The Red Knights got on the scoreboard on their first possession when running back Carlton Huggins sprinted 20 yards to the end zone.
North took control in the second quarter, thanks to a nine-minute-plus drive resulting in their second TD for a 12-0 halftime lead.
The Titans scored late in the third quarter after recovering a Nelson fumble at North’s 30, but the Red Knights answered with a nine-play, three-minute drive capped by Robenson Merci’s nine-yard TD run.
For the night, Nelson completed 10 of 14 passes for 90 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Huggins rushed for 33 yards on four carries and caught a TD pass.
North (3-3) hosts Charlotte (5-0) next Friday at Moody Field.
North Ft. Myers 6 6 6 0 — 18
Golden Gate 0 0 7 0 — 7
First Quarter
NFM — Merci 9 run
Second Quarter
NFM — Huggins 12 pass
Third Quarter
GG — Mouton 1 run (Moreno kick)
NFM — Huggins 20 run