City rivals ready to settle 4A-12
The first season of the new District 4A-12 has seen the power slanted in the direction of the Cape Coral schools.
The Cape Coral Seahawks (8-0, 2-0) and Ida Baker Bulldogs (7-1, 2-0) each disposed of the two Collier County teams – Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge – in district play, setting up Friday’s clash for the outright title and a home regional quarterfinal playoff game.
For the Seahawks, it’s the latest chapter in their quest for an elusive district crown. They finished runner-up the past two seasons in 5A-12 after late-season losses to Fort Myers.
They entered this season with higher hopes, an abundance of talent, including four Division I recruits, and a clear goal to capture their first district title since 1993.
“For some of these guys they may never get a chance to be undefeated, to be a champion of any kind,” Seahawks coach Mike Goebbel said. “When it’s there you have to make the best of it.”
The Seahawks host Baker at Dave Warkentin Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Bulldogs are seeking their first district title in what already has been a breakthrough season for the fifth-year program.
The Island Coast Gators are in their first 10-game varsity season, but have grown up fast.
The Gators (5-4, 3-1) host LaBelle (1-7, 1-3) Friday. A victory assures the Gators of a playoff berth in 2B-6. A victory, plus a Dunbar win at Clewiston, gives the Gators the district title.
The Week 10 slate includes three 3A-11 contests – South Fort Myers (8-1, 3-1) at Mariner (1-7, 1-3), North Fort Myers (4-5, 1-3) at Riverdale (7-1, 4-0), and Fort Myers (3-6, 1-3) at Bishop Verot (6-3, 2-2).
Cape and Baker each clinched playoff berths Oct. 23 based on victories over Gulf Coast and Palmetto Ridge, respectively. The losing team Friday night plays at Charlotte in a regional quarterfinal playoff game Nov. 20.
Baker coach Brian Conn said his team is thrilled to be in the playoffs, but is far from satisfied.
“It was a great feeling when we clinched, but it didn’t feel like our kids wanted to just relax,” Conn said.
Baker started its varsity program in 2005. They went 0-20 the first two years, but have improved steadily since then. They opened this season with six straight wins, including three shutouts.
The defense has been a consistent strength, with the offense showing good diversity.
The Bulldogs were dealt a significant blow, though, when senior running back/cornerback Joseph Byrd injured his knee in a loss at South Fort Myers.
The Seahawks, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A in the latest AP state poll, are coming off three impressive wins over Island Coast, Gulf Coast and Stuart South Fork. They’ve rushed for more than 300 yards in each of the past two games and have swarmed to the ball defensively, creating turnovers.
Goebbel said his senior captains aren’t necessarily the big vocal leaders, but have provided leadership in recent weeks with their focus and preparation.
Though both teams want to win the district title, Goebbel cautioned that it’s not an all-or-nothing type of game.
The Seahawks, for example, made the playoffs as district runner-up in 2007 and still won two playoff games on their way to the 5A regional finals.
“I’ve made mention of that in our meetings,” Goebbel said. “There is a fine line where you put all your marbles into one basket, either district champs or nothing, or you approach it as game nine in a 10-game season.”
LaBelle Cowboys (1-7, 1-3) at Island Coast Gators (5-4, 3-1): Island Coast opened this season with a 45-27 loss to North Fort Myers. The Gators also dropped games to Ida Baker 20-3 and Cape Coral 32-0.
Despite the losses to those more established city rivals, Gators coach Joe Bowen said the difficult schedule prepared his young team for District 2B-6 play.
“We knew down the road it would help us,” he said. “We played Cape right before Dunbar and we figured that would help us. We played North and Baker, two very physical teams, and I feel like that helped us down the road.”
It shows. The Gators have won their last three district games over Lake Placid, Dunbar and Gateway Charter, placing them on the brink of their first playoff berth.
The Gators won primarily with defense in a 6-2 win over Dunbar, then racked up more than 500 yards of offense in a 66-6 win over Gateway Charter.
Sophomore quarterback Mike Dumas threw for a pair of touchdowns, giving the Gators some balance.
They’ve leaned heavily on the run, rushing for 250 yards per game this season.
“We run a lot,” Bowen said. “Our strength is our size and we have some guys that can run the ball.”
South Fort Myers Wolfpack (8-1, 3-1) at Mariner Tritons (1-7, 1-3): The combination of a challenging schedule and some costly turnovers in close games, were two key reasons why the Mariner Tritons opened this season with seven straight losses.
The Tritons persevered, though, showing much of the same enthusiasm and dedication through the losing stretch, and it paid off last Friday with a thrilling 7-0 win over Fort Myers, ending a 14-year losing streak to the Green Wave.
They host South Fort Myers Friday at Tony McKenna Field. The Wolfpack suffered their first loss of the season last Thursday, falling to Riverdale 27-24 in a game that decided the 3A-11 title.
North Fort Myers Red Knights (4-5, 1-3) at Riverdale Raiders (7-1, 4-0): The clubhouse leader for best game of the year likely occurred last Friday at Moody Field. The host Red Knights came out on the short end against Bishop Verot 31-30 in overtime.
Senior Tre Boston added four more rushing touchdowns for the Knights, including the game-tying score with 0.3 seconds left in regulation, but a failed extra-point sent the game to overtime.
The Vikings won with a two-point conversion in overtime.
The Knights conclude their season at district champion Riverdale.
Fort Myers Green Wave (3-6, 1-3) at Bishop Verot Vikings (6-3, 2-2): For the first time in 15 years, the Green Wave won’t be part of the postseason equation. They’ll play for bragging rights Friday at Verot, in the much-anticipated first meeting between the neighboring schools. The Wave and Vikings have built intense rivalries in volleyball and basketball.
The Wave have struggled to score points, being shut out in the last three district games.
The Vikings have momentum after their dramatic win over North.