Special teams play big role in preseason games
It took all of one play Friday night for the Mariner Tritons, and particularly their coaching staff, to discover an area they need to address at their next practice.
Before some spectators found their seats, Cypress Lake’s Chad Redenius found a seam through the middle of the Mariner coverage unit and returned the opening kickoff from his own 13 to the Tritons’ 38.
While the Tritons did manage to bring him down, some other high school football teams weren’t as fortunate during a Friday night filled with special teams fireworks.
Bishop Verot trailed 6-0 quickly in its preseason game against East Lee County after James Holland took the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.
“We usually expect the first game or two to be a little rough until they get more reps and more opportunities to do those things,” Verot coach Phil Dorn said.
If there is a positive it’s that last Friday’s preseason games served as a dress rehearsal. The regular season begins Friday night across Southwest Florida and teams realize that a miscue in the kicking game could be the difference between winning and losing – or a tie – in last Friday’s case.
In Cape Coral’s thrilling battle with Riverdale, which ended in a 32-32 draw, the Seahawks had their 15-point fourth quarter lead evaporate. A blocked punt by Riverdale sparked the late rally.
“That allowed them to get back in the game,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “You don’t want special teams to beat you. You have to make sure you have the right people on the field and lined up correctly.”
The Seahawks, like several area teams, are also trying to replace proven kickers and punters from last season.
Departed senior Kenton Beal handled all three responsibilities – field goals, kickoffs and punting – last season. Goebbel said senior Larry Gary Jr. performed well as the punter last Friday and the Seahawks expect newcomer, junior Simon Perez, to help out with the kicking duties.
Mariner is in a similar situation after the graduation of standout kicker/punter Renato Proia, who is a freshman walk-on at South Florida.
Proia handled all of the responsibilities last season and in addition, was one of the area’s top goalkeepers in soccer.
Senior Matt Isherwood, who also plays soccer, made all three extra point tries in Friday’s 33-7 win over Cypress Lake, though the Tritons had one extra-point attempt blocked in the second half.
“We have some special teams work to do,” Mariner coach Chad O’Brien said after Friday’s game. “That’s why we play the (preseason classic).”
Though Bishop Verot allowed the opening kickoff return in their 46-28 loss to East Lee County, the Vikings got a lift from Hugo Delapenha in the return game.
He returned the second half kickoff 87 yards for a score, and had seven returns for 236 yards.
“Hugo did a real nice job,” Dorn said. “You hate to be the best kickoff (return) team, though, because that means you’re giving up a lot of points. We’ll have to pull together and get better in a lot of areas this week.”
n Lynch leads Gators in defensive struggle: In a game that consisted of a muddy field and rough footing – and few points – Island Coast junior Aaron Lynch seemed to fit right in.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end put the Gators on the board with a safety in the second quarter, and finished with four sacks and a forced fumble, spearheading an 8-7 win at Port Charlotte.
Lynch, who registered six sacks in a victory last season against Moore Haven, didn’t rest on his standout performance as a sophomore. Coach Joe Bowen said he’s impressed at the way Lynch dedicated himself to the weight room in preparation for this season.
“When he was a freshman, he weighed 160 pounds,” Bowen said, “and the last two years he has grown and is up to 240. (Aaron) is a special specimen.”
With Lynch already starting to command extra attention, Bowen said it’s important for the rest of his defense to make plays when they have the opportunities.
Junior defensive tackle Bryan Bosworth and senior nose guard Lakeith Williams each turned in strong performances Friday, along with sophomore linebacker Willie Fleming, who had an interception late in the game.
n North faced good test at Dunbar: There was no need for the North Fort Myers Red Knights to be focused on the scoreboard in their preseason classic game at Dunbar.
If it did work properly they wouldn’t have had any points to show for their effort until the fourth quarter.
The deep and talented Tigers, who are coming off a 10-2 season, defeated the Knights 20-7 behind a dominant defensive effort.
North coach Barry Goettemoeller said he judged the performance on other factors, knowing the quality of opposition.
“It was a great team for us to play. They’re very talented,” he said. “I thought our kids showed a lot of heart and character putting together a 90-yard drive when we were down by three touchdowns.”
Quarterback Nathan McIntosh engineered the scoring drive, capping it off with a short sneak. Senior Tre Boston also had some key runs and McIntosh mixed in some short passes.
Goettemoeller said they have some positives they can build on heading into Friday’s season opener against Island Coast at Moody Field.
“We learned some things about our offense and defense, and what we like and don’t like,” he said.