Gators outduel Red Knights 44-41
Asking Island Coast (1-3) players prior to kickoff against district rival North Fort Myers (1-3), the Gators all had one response to what they wanted to do on Friday night. Win.
In a game that undoubtedly will go down as an all-time classic between the two schools and could also be called an early favorite for game of the year, Island Coast out-dueled and out-gunned the Red Knights, 44-41.
Up five points late in the game, the Gators (1-3, 1-0 district) took over at midfield following a superb return by Marlon Gaymon. Following two negative yardage plays, the Gators converted a 49-yard screen play on third-and-long, moving the ball to North’s 15.
Following a penalty on second down, running back Antonio Greaves broke through the line untouched and scored the eventual game-winning touchdown.
North refused to go-away. Two long pass plays by QB J’Ravien Anderson allowed the Red Knights to set-up shop inside the Gators’ 10-yard line.?The critical blow came on third-and-goal when Anderson found Joe Wilkins Jr. on a six-yard TD pass. North converted the two-point attempt, bringing the Knights within three points.
With the ensuing onside kick recovered by Island Coast, the Gators took advantage and ran the clock all the way down to the 32-second mark before punting back to the Red Knights.?Taking over at midfield, North moved the ball all the way to the Gators’ 8. With 3.7 seconds remaining, Anderson’s pass was batted down in the end zone as time expired, handing Island Coast the shootout victory.
While Island Coast earned the victory, the start of the game was not all good for the Gators. From the opening possession, North asserted its authority on offense. Using a potent rushing attack, North looked almost certain to run away with the victory.
North advanced the ball 65 yards, capping the drive with a 17-yard rushing TD by runningback Zachary St. Amand.
Following Island Coast’s field goal, North took over at its own 20. Breaking through a barrage of would-be tackles, Lucious Stanley broke open the biggest play of the night with an 80-yard scoring run.
Though North jumped out to an early lead, it was the Gators who showed determination from the second quarter on. Starting the second quarter with the ball, the Gators traveled deep into North’s red zone. Settling for a field goal, Kory Curtis continued to showcase his powerful leg, converting the 41-yard kick.
Stopping North on its next possession, it was Gaymon’s turn to showcase his big-play ability. Fielding the Red Knights punt at his own 27, Gaymon escaped a pile of defenders before sprinting around the edge and down the field for a 73-yard score.
Ending the first half down by two points, the Gators unleashed their rushing attack, moving the ball into North territory. Two plays later Antonio Greaves’ 15-yard TD run gave the Gators their first lead.
With North unable to get any offensive output in the third quarter, Island Coast began to pull away. Quarterback Kory Curtis capped a drive when he rolled outside the pocket and scrambled through the defense for an 18-yard score.
Following another Island Coast score, the Gators found themselves with a staggering 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter. However, it was the Red Knights’ turn to battle back.
Following an offensive pass interference penalty, Anderson found Luis Alfonso wide open on the sidelines. Breaking one tackle, Alfonso ran 46 yards for the TD to bring the Knights within 11.
While North managed to fight it way back, it proved to be too little, too late. Earning their first win of the season, the Gators find themselves with a perfect 1-0 district record to begin the real campaign, as coach John Schwochow puts it.
“I’ve told my guys for three weeks, it doesn’t matter what we do outside the district,” said Schwochow. “As long as we win these games, we are going to playoffs.”
Island Coast hosts Lehigh next week in the Gators’ homecoming game while North looks to bounce back at home against Mariner.