Bulldogs tie up Gators
Most, if not all, high school football teams begin the season trying to win as many games as possible. There is no sense in approaching things differently at the start of August practice.
When the final game ends and seniors reflect on their career, the experience is measured by more than that.
That time came at the conclusion of Friday night’s game between the Ida Baker Bulldogs and Island Coast Gators. The visiting Bulldogs prevailed 31-15 in the first meeting between the schools.
“This school meant a lot to me,” Baker senior Mike Anderson said. “It helped me get on the right track.”
Anderson was among 29 seniors on the field between the teams. He overcame some struggles in the classroom and became a major contributor in his first season with the Bulldogs. His strong play continued Friday when he hauled in two long passes from junior quarterback Jake York, including a 40-yard touchdown in the first half.
While the Gators consisted mostly of freshmen and sophomores, they did have five seniors — Xavier Whitter, Joetavious Brown, Marco Lo Sauro, Terrence Hardaway and Anthony Martin.
“Our seniors never played high school football,” Gators coach Joe Bowen said. “They wanted that experience and they got it at this school.”
The Bulldogs (5-5) collectively were trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to North Fort Myers last week, eliminating them from playoff contention.
The Bulldogs’ focus shifted to trying to end with a victory. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead against their newest crosstown rivals and withstood a strong second-half rally.
“It was nice for them go out on a positive note,” Baker coach Brian Conn said. “We would’ve liked to have played better, but Island Coast is a very physical team. I was impressed by how hard they played.”
The Gators (3-3), in their first varsity season, were coming off a 47-14 victory over Moore Haven. They figured the Bulldogs would be among their biggest challenges when the season began.
Making matters worse, the Gators dug themselves in a deep hole in the first half. The Bulldogs wrestled the ball away on the opening kickoff and that set up a 22-yard field goal by Curtis Dean.
After a Gators punt, York lofted a deep pass over the secondary to Anderson, stretching the lead to 10-0.
In the second quarter, sophomore defensive end Aaron Lynch made his presence felt. He finished the game with two sacks and three tackles for losses. His first sack buried the Bulldogs deep in their own end, and the Gators eventually scored after getting the ball on a short field. Nelson Candelario’s two-yard run made it 17-7 at halftime.
The Bulldogs led 24-7 early in the fourth quarter when they fumbled for the third time inside their own territory. The Gators converted on a one-yard pass from Mike Dumas to Lynch, cutting it to 24-13.
Ida Baker 10 7 7 7 — 31
Island Coast 0 7 0 8 — 15
First Quarter
B — Curtis Dean 22 FG
B — Mike Anderson 40 pass from Jake York (Dean kick)
Second Quarter
B — York 1 run (Dean kick)
IC — Nelson Candelario 2 run (Kyle Fitzgerald kick)
Third Quarter
B — Marvin Riedewald 3 run (Dean kick)
Fourth Quarter
IC — Aaron Lynch 1 pass from Mike Dumas (kick blocked)
IC — Safety, Island Coast tackled Joseph Byrd in end zone on kickoff
B — Dallas Petrovich 1 run (Dean kick)