Mariner fumbles it away 28-21
NORTH PORT – Christmas came early for the North Port High football team Friday night at The Preserve.
The Bobcats secured their first win of the season, 28-21, thanks largely to 21 points off turnovers as the Mariner Tritons lost five fumbles.
Things looked shaky early as Mariner’s Andrew Dukas returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a quick touchdown.
North Port simply dominated the time of possession with 34 minutes, 22 seconds of offense compared to just 13:88 for Mariner.
While the Bobcats finished with 305 yards of total offense it took Mariner’s first fumble to generate a spark. Following a three-and-out marred by a holding penalty, North Port punted from its own 24-yard line. Anticipating excellent field position, Tritons coach Chad O’Brien could only watch as North Port junior Alex Callahan recovered the muffed punt at the 48.
The Bobcats tied the game six plays later on a 1-yard plunge by junior Jerome Marion.
Two plays and 10 seconds later, Tyree Roundtree scored on a 20-yard jaunt for a 14-7 Bobcats’ lead thanks to Mariner’s second lost fumble on the kickoff.
“We can’t turn the ball over. You just can’t fumble five times,” O’Brien said. “We have to play better fundamental football; that’s all it comes down to.”
The Tritons (0-2) managed just 10 total yards on six offensive plays in the first quarter, but seemed to regroup in the second with 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns – both courtesy of senior Eric Mitchell.
Mariner hosts Charlotte Thursday.