Naples pounds Island Coast 63-0
Naples takes losing pretty hard. Just ask Island Coast.
After an especially intense week of practice following last week’s season-opening loss, Naples took its frustration out on the Gators Friday night. The Golden Eagles routed the Gators 63-0.
The charge was led by the Eagles’ offensive line, which sprung runningbacks Antonio Carbonaro and Carlin Fils-Aime loose for 263 yards and seven touchdowns combined on just 18 carries. Those numbers came in just 2 1/2 quarters, as the starting offense didn’t play after going up 49-0 on its first possession of the third quarter.
Naples lost 20-14 at home to American Heritage, last year’s state runner-up ranked No. 2 in Class 3A. Since the Eagles ended 2014 with a loss in the regional semifinals, it’s the first time Naples lost two in a row since 2000.
Carbonaro ran for a career high 143 yards. His previous personal best was 120 yards in last year’s final regular season game, also against Island Coast.
Almost from the start, it was clear the Gators’ defense was overmatched. Fils-Aime had 79 yards and two touchdowns on his first four carries, as Naples ran for 141 yards on 11 rushes in the first quarter.
Fils-Aime finished with 120 yards and four touchdowns. He ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s season opener.
The entire second half was played under a running clock, which is triggered when one team goes up by 35 points in the third or fourth quarter.
Six months ago, when Naples made its schedule, the Eagles expected Island Coast to be one of their tougher opponents. The Gators went 10-3 last season and made it to the Class 5A regional finals.
However, the Gators went through a ton of turnover this summer. Coach Wayne Blair resigned in January. His replacement, Rashad West, resigned just a month after being hired in March.
Former South Fort Myers defensive coordinator John Schwochow was hired in June. By then, eight players had transferred. The Gators also graduated 19 seniors, including two 1,000-yard rushers.
“John’s going to do a good job. They’re going to be a good team,” Naples coach Bill Kramer said. “They had some kids, some free agents, who were selfish. They cared more about themselves than their team.”
Naples held Island Coast to 111 yards. The Gators only had one play longer than eight yards.
Island Coast 0 0 0 0 – 0
Naples 21 21 14 7 – 63
N Fils-Aime 8 run (Nunez kick)
N Fils-Aime 50 run (Nunez kick)
N Carbonaro 19 run (Nunez kick)
N Fils-Aime 17 run (Nunez kick)
N Carbonaro 20 run (Nunez kick)
N Carbonaro 1 run (Nunez kick)0
N Fils-Aime 14 run (Nunez kick)
N Marcelino 40 run (Nunez kick)
N Hanlon 1 run (Nunez kick)