Eyes turn to Black-And-Blue
All eyes will be on the annual Black-n-Blue Bowl game tonight at Cape Coral’s Dave Warkentin Stadium where the Seahawks square off with the crosstown rival Mariner Tritons.
The Seahawks (7-2, 3-2 District 5A-14) have dominated the series in recent years, winning nine in a row to lead the series overall 14-13. In that nine-game stretch, only one game was decided by less than seven points and six by double-digits.
“We have to play our best game, that’s the biggest thing,” said Seahawks coach Larry Gary. “Like all season, we have to go out every week and limit our turnovers, limit the big plays and foolish penalties, and protect our quarterback.”
From the beginning in 1987, the series has been one of streaks. The Tritons (1-8, 1-4), which started their varsity football program in its very first year as just the second high school in the city, won the first six meetings. They enjoyed a four-game streak four years later and a three-game streak that ended in 2004 with a double-overtime victory.
“Mariner knows what is riding on this game. It’s our homecoming and senior night, I just hope it’s not a big distraction, but an incentive to play our butts off in front of the student body,” said Gary.
Tonight’s game holds more meaning for the Seahawks, who are trying to scrape back into a playoff spot with a victory and a loss by Dunbar (3-5, 3-2). When they take the field tonight they will know if that is even possible because the Dunbar-North Fort Myers (3-5, 2-3) district finale was played Thursday night. Dunbar holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks as a result of the Tigers’ upset victory two weeks ago.
“We have to win to have any chance at the postseason, we have to win,” said Gary.
Island Coast (8-1, 6-0) observes its bye week tonight after locking up the 5A-14 championship last week. The Gators travel to Naples next week to close out the regular season.
In other area matchups tonight, Bishop Verot (5-3, 1-0) travels to District 3A-6 rival Cardinal Mooney (6-2, 1-0) to decide the championship. Both teams advance to the playoffs regardless of the outcome.
Also, Oasis (2-4) hosts Spring Hills and Fort Myers (8-0, 2-0) hosts Riverdale (4-4, 0-2) in the District 7A-11 finale. District rivals Port Charlotte (6-2, 1-1) and Charlotte (5-3, 1-1) duke it out for Charlotte County bragging rights and the district’s other playoff berth.