Longtime rivals face off
Just because they are not in the same district this season does not mean they aren’t fierce rivals. Nearing three decades of competing, and the close proximity between Mariner and North Fort Myers highs, almost demands a rivalry exist.
One more thing, Tritons coach Travis Smith and Red Knights coach Earnest Graham both played football at and graduated from Mariner in the 1990s.
“It’s always exciting to see another Mariner grad on the other sideline, but it really doesn’t play into our game plan,” said Smith. “We saw that with (Chris) Siner against LaBelle (Sept. 11). We’re focused on what North can throw at us. We’re coming off a game we lost last week where we put the ball on the ground too much.”
The Tritons (2-2, 0-1) were preparing this week to contain the outside running prowess of the Red Knights (1-3, 0-1) when they kickoff tonight at North’s Moody Field.
“We haven’t seen a lot of speed so far,” said Smith. “They can hurt us outside. We have to force them back to the middle where we have guys to help. North has speed and some big guys.”
Both programs are facing the same challenges of rebuilding to return to their former successes on the field. Mariner has only one winning record over the past 10 seasons and has not been to the playoffs since 2003-04. North is on a run of eight straight seasons of .500 or below and has seen a playoff game since 2006. Files at North High show the Red Knights lead the all-time series 11-10.
“We’ve been rivals since our program started (1987),” said Smith. “It’s a good crosstown rivalry equal to Mariner-Cape. It’s fun football.”
Turnovers are a huge concern for the Tritons, who have had multiple turnovers so far this season, especially in their two losses. They put the ball on the ground five times against Bishop Verot.
“We’ve preached to the kids to hold onto the ball, from our wide receivers to quarterback to the center,” said Smith. “It’s not something you can blame on field conditions, both teams are on the same field.”
At 2-2 the Tritons already have won as many games as their previous two seasons combined. They can take more strides back to respectability with a win at North.
“I told the kids this week that a couple of plays have hurt us, but we are very close to being a good football team,” said Smith. “We haven’t been able to capitalize on other teams’ mistakes. As long as we focus on getting better each week the wins will come.”
Also tonight, Cape Coral (1-2) seeks to right a listing ship against Cypress Lake (1-2) at Dave Warkentin Stadium. Ida Baker (1-3) invades Riverdale (2-2) and Island Coast (1-3) seeks its second straight victory when Lehigh (0-3) comes calling.
While Districts 6A-10 and 5A-12 take a one-week break from internal rivalries, Districts 4A-6 and 2A-7 dive right back in this weekend. Bishop Verot (3-1, 1-0) hosts LaBelle (2-2, 1-0) and Gateway Charter (0-3, 0-0) hosts Lake Placid (1-3, 0-1) in 4A-6, and SWF?Christian (3-1, 1-0) hosts First Baptist (2-1, 1-0) in 2A-7.
In other non-district contests involving Lee teams: Oasis (2-1) heads to Plant City to face F.I.S.H.; Fort Myers (3-1) invades Class 6A No. 9-ranked Charlotte (4-0); Dunbar (3-0) tangles with South Fort Myers (3-1); Estero (0-4) visits Gulf Coast (3-1); and Evangelical Christian (1-2) travels to Cambridge Christian.