Gators face new challenges
During this month’s spring football practice, Island Coast High School is preparing for its second varsity season – the first competing in the newly aligned District 2B-6.
Though the Gators are the lone Cape Coral school in the six-team district, they’ll also get acquainted with neighborhood rivals Cape Coral, Mariner, Ida Baker and North Fort Myers next fall during their first 10-game varsity slate.
The coming season overall figures to be much different and more difficult than the Gators’ inaugural campaign, which was filled with plenty of promise and ended with a respectable 3-3 record in varsity matchups.
“We did good for the first time,” said sophomore Aaron Lynch. “(This year) we’re looking to become a stronger team altogether – more speed, working hard and not a lot of pouting.”
The Gators play their spring scrimmage May 29 when they visit Lakewood Ranch in Bradenton.
The regular season kicks off Sept. 4 when the Gators travel to North Fort Myers. They also play at Ida Baker (Sept. 17) and host Mariner (Oct. 2) and Cape Coral (Oct. 16).
District 2B-6 is comprised of Clewiston, Dunbar, Gateway Charter, LaBelle and Lake Placid.
“It’s a good thing,” junior Brian Bosworth said of the new challenges. “We want to show people that we can play.”
In essence, the Gators are beginning their third season of organized football. Many of the individuals who will be juniors in the fall, laid the foundation by going 7-1 in their freshmen-only season in 2007.
Though the Gators continue to be a young team, with only three seniors next season, they have a large group of juniors and sophomores who have developed good continuity.
As expected, the Gators also are growing in numbers. Forty-three players are participating in spring practice compared to the 22 that dressed for varsity last season.
“We just want to keep building and trying to emphasize family,” Gators coach Joe Bowen said. “Our numbers were higher when we began this spring, but we had some individuals, and I can tell you right now this group is all about the team.”
Their cohesiveness has been established both on and off the field. The team often gathers for lunch together on Saturdays and during last season several players showed the willingness to move around and try different positions.
Bowen said versatility should be important as they move forward.
“There are guys out here who are going to play multiple positions,” he said.
Lynch, a 6-foot-4 defensive end/tight end, is one of the key returning Gators. He dominated in a 47-14 win over Moore Haven last year, racking up 6 1/2 sacks.
The Gators also return Bosworth, an anchor on the offensive and defensive lines, along with versatile juniors Phil Woolbright and Jimmy Stewart.
Sophomore Nelson Candelario moves around a lot as well. He could play quarterback or wide receiver on offense, in addition to playing in the defensive secondary.