Eagles own 2nd half, rip Gators 49-24
The featured matchup between playoff-bound teams, didn’t go the way the Island Coast Gators had hoped Friday night, as the Gators lost to the Naples Golden Eagles 49-24.
With the help of turnovers, and a rushing attack that totaled almost 290 yards in the first half alone, Island Coast hung with the traditional powerhouse, leading the Eagles 24-21, but Naples’ defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Gators (8-2) to less than 65 total yards offense in the finaltwo2 quarters of play.
“Unfortunately, I can’t think about that,” said first-year coach Wayne Blair. “Dedication (to winning in the playoffs) is something we talk about a lot this week.”
It looked as if Island Coast would put the Eagles away early in the second half after recovering a fumble 3:05 into the third quarter, but Naples defensive back Tyler Byrd came up with a big 36-yard conversion from quarterback Michael Walker, leading to the Eagles into the lead and never looking back.
Leading the Gators in rushing was Zelan Lambert who ran for 175 yards on 12 carries.
Standout runningback Van Edwards carried the ball 10 times for 121 yards and was helped off the field briefly in the second quarter.
Island Coast 7 17 0 0 – 24
Naples 7 14 7 21 – 49
IC – Edwards 74 kick return (Curtis kick).
N – Hayes 22 catch (Nunez kick).
IC -Edwards 14 run (Curtis kick).
IC – FG, Curtis 36.
N – Walker 5 run.
IC – Lambert 70 run (Curtis kick).
N – Joseph 34 run (Curtis run).
N – Walker 4 run (Nunez kick).
N – Carbonaro 53 run (Nunez kick).
N – Walker 5 (Nunez kick).
N – Joseph 33 run (Nunez kick).