Tarpons dominate Gators 45-0
In a game that neither team could afford to lose, the Charlotte Tarpons dominated Island Coast Friday night, defeating the Gators 45-0.
The Gators (2-4, 1-1 district) entered the game shorthanded due to disciplinary reasons, something that was clearly reflected by the final score. With their district title hopes certainly over, the Gators’ now turn their attention to the playoff chase.
Gators’ coach John Schwochow talked after the game about his team’s playoff hopes and what the Gators need to do from here to ultimately find themselves in the playoffs.
“We can compete with everybody left on our schedule,” he said. “If we can compete we have a chance. You give us a chance, you never know what will happen.”
When asked about any positives from the loss Schwochow handed out some praise.
“We did some good things. We had some kids at different positions and while the scoreboard doesn’t show it, we competed with them,” Schwochow said.
In the red zone only three times on the night, the Gators squandered every possession with negative yardage plays and dropped balls by their receivers.
However, while the Gators struggled overall, both the Tarpons offense and defense were unstoppable. If not for some big plays, Island Coast would have never left their own half.
With the win, the undefeated Tarpons (6-0; 2-0 district) now sit in the district 6A-10 driver’s seat while the Gators likely need wins over Cape Coral, Ida Baker and Port Charlotte to qualify for the postseason.
The Tarpons proved their ability early and often, both on the ground and air. Three first half rushing TDs of 19, 28 and 30 yards accounted for 21 of the Tarpons’ 31 first half points.
In the second half, it was all about the clock. With the 35-point running clock limit met midway through the third quarter, the Tarpons took it easy in the second half and cruised to the victory.
Overmatched and outgunned, the Gatord never managed to get started. Quarterback Kory Curtis was sacked five times, fumbling twice, while receivers dropped balls left and right.
The Gators’ normally potent running game netted just 63 yards on the night, most of which came on the longest play of the night, a 54-yard run by Jerry Cambric.
Heading to Dunbar next Friday for their last non-district game of the season, the Gators quickly need to find their footing if they have any hope of qualifying for the playoffs for the seventh time in the school’s eight-year history.