Tritons look at positives
The enthusiasm, determination and senior leadership displayed by the Mariner Tritons during the summer months suggested a team that likely would win more than one regular-season high school football game.
The Tritons entered the campaign with optimism and a goal to at least be a factor in deciding the new District 3A-11.
A difficult schedule and untimely mistakes, though, are among the factors contributing to Tritons’ unpleasant 1-8 record as they head into Friday’s season finale at Ida Baker.
Tritons coach Chad O’Brien said despite several tough losses, his players can take pride in the way they’ve stuck together and continued working, particularly after being eliminated from playoff contention.
They were rewarded in Week 9 with a 7-0 victory at Fort Myers. O’Brien said the work ethic is what they can take with them after football.
“They do not quit,” O’Brien said. “They have played every minute of every quarter and that is going to pay off for these kids in the future.”
The Tritons plan on carrying that same intensity into Friday’s game.
In other Friday action, Cape High (9-0) goes for a perfect regular season as the Seahawks host Lehigh (5-4) at Dave Warkentin Field.
Cape and Baker (7-2) have secured playoff berths, meaning they’ll play at least one more regional quarterfinal game Nov. 20. Cape hosts Lakewood Ranch, while Baker makes the trip to Punta Gorda to take on Charlotte, the 4A-11 champion.
After capturing the District 2B-6 title, the Island Coast Gators have completed the regular season and host Orlando Lake Highland Prep in a regional quarterfinals game Nov. 20.
Mariner’s season is over Friday night. The Tritons won the first three meetings in this city series, but the Bulldogs prevailed 17-0 last year.
“I think the fact that this game is against Baker is extra motivation for our kids,” O’Brien said. “I want to see our kids go out and execute their technique and play with the same effort and intensity they have all year.”
Senior defensive tackle Michael Swearingen has provided both leadership and inspired play.
Swearingen (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) has started all nine games for the Tritons, bringing a high level of production to the defense. He’s third on the team with 5 1/2 sacks.
After his freshman year, Swearingen was diagnosed with a form of cancer known as Ewing’s sarcoma. It caused him to miss his sophomore year as he endured more than a dozen chemotherapy sessions.
Swearingen returned to the field as a junior, playing on the JV team, before emerging this season on varsity as one of the Tritons’ most consistent players.
“He really dedicated himself and became stronger and better,” O’Brien said. “He always gives 100 percent and does his job.”
While the Tritons try to add one more win to their season total, the Bulldogs hope to gain some confidence heading into the postseason.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 25-0 loss to Cape in a game that decided the District 4A-12 title.
The Bulldogs opened this season 6-0, but have dropped two of their last three to South Fort Myers and Cape.
Bulldogs coach Brian Conn said the familiarity with Mariner should help his team bounce back.
“That’s always a big one for us,” he said. “Our kids and their kids know each other. We know we have to regroup.”
The Bulldogs not only need some confidence going into their first-ever playoff game, but will try to find some offense after a sputtering display at Cape.
With leading rusher Joseph Byrd out for the season with an ACL injury, the Bulldogs need other sources of offense against Mariner and, more importantly, to present a legitimate challenge to powerful Charlotte in the regional.
Lehigh Lightning (5-4) at Cape Coral Seahawks (9-0): By beating Baker, the Seahawks captured the District 4A-12 title – their first district championship since 1993.
The Seahawks also can match the ’93 team with a victory over Lehigh to earn their second perfect regular season in the program’s 30-year history.
Under coach James Hale, the 1993 Seahawks went 10-0 and won two playoff games before losing to Deerfield Beach 12-10 in the 4A state semifinals.
Coach Mike Goebbel views this as a dangerous game given that the Seahawks are coming off a spirited win over the rival Bulldogs.
“There’s always that hangover you have after a game like this,” he said. “You can only get up for so many a year.”
The Seahawks run many different options out of their spread attack and early in games they see what the opposing defense is doing, and then make adjustments from there.
On the ground, senior quarterback Jaylen Watkins and senior running backs Spencer Boyd and Jeremy Davis provide three explosive threats.
In addition, Watkins has shown the ability to strike down the field.
One of the pivotal plays in Friday’s win over Baker was a 75-yard TD pass to Prince Holloway, who went up over a defender at midfield, snatched the ball out of the air and sprinted the rest of the way to put the Seahawks in command.
“In our offense it’s like pick your poison,” Goebbel said. “If you’re going to take away this, you’re going to get this. When we execute it’s beautiful and fun to watch.”
On the defensive side, the Seahawks have picked up their play over the past few games.
They’ve posted two shutouts in the past four games and have allowed only 14 points during that span with the starters in the game.
They’ll try to continue their strong play against Lehigh, which is one of the most improved area teams.
Under first-year coach Pete Fominaya, the Lightning have reeled off five straight wins, including a 34-14 win over Naples, and secured the runner-up playoff spot in 3A-12.
Breeze Area
Football Poll
Breeze sports staffers rank area teams each week. Rankings are listed with record through Nov. 6 & last week’s ranking:
Rec. Prev.
1. Cape Coral 9-0 1
2. Riverdale 8-1 2
3. South FM 9-1 3
4. Ida Baker 7-2 4
5. Evangelical Christian 8-1 5
6. Island Coast 6-4 6
7. Bishop Verot 7-3 7
8. Dunbar 6-3 8
9. Lehigh 5-4 9
10. North FM 4-6 10
11. Fort Myers 3-7 11
12. East Lee County 2-7 12
13. Mariner 1-8 13
14. Cypress Lake 0-9 14
15. SWF Christian 3-6 15
16. Estero 1-8 16
17. Gateway Charter 0-9 17