City rivals: Showdown Part II
While the Crosstown Showdown football game between Ida Baker and Island Coast tonight is considered Part II, the rivalry extends back to 2008 when the Gators made their varsity debut.
“It’s the eighth time we’ve played them,” said Bulldogs coach Brian Conn. “It’s just the second game with a trophy on it.”
The Gators lead this series 4-3 after prevailing 36-13 last season. The city’s other named series is the Black-and-Blue Bowl between Cape and Mariner, set for No. 29 next week.
“Both teams bring records they are not used to, but that is the point of having the showdown as the last game,” said Conn. “It gives the kids something to look forward to, fighting for a trophy.”
Not only are bragging rights and a traveling trophy attached to the game, but the teams also are fighting for stature in the District 6A-10 standings. While both are eliminated from postseason contention, Baker (3-6, 1-3 district) wants to hold onto third place in the district behind Charlotte and Port Charlotte.
“We have not lost to a Cape school since we lost to Island Coast last season,” said Conn. “If we win Friday we will be City Champs. Kids will have bragging rights around town for awhile.”
The end of the season has been on the Bulldogs’ mind for two weeks.
“It was senior night last week,” said Conn. “Thursday is the last practice and Friday is the last game. The underclassmen know they will be in the same shoes as the seniors next year.”
In other District 6A-10 matchups tonight, unbeaten and No. 5-ranked Charlotte (8-0, 4-0) hosts Port Charlotte (5-3, 4-0) with the district championship and playoff home field advantage at stake; and North Fort Myers (3-5, 1-3) hosts Cape Coral (2-6, 1-3).
In final District 5A-12 matchups, Mariner (3-5, 0-3) visits district leader Dunbar (6-2, 3-0); and Lely (2-6, 2-1) collides with Immokalee (3-5, 2-1) for district runner-up.
Elsewhere around Lee County tonight Bishop Verot (7-2, 4-1) invades Tenoroc (5-3, 4-1) to nail down the District 4A-6 runner-up spot; Oasis (2-6) hosts Lakeside; Fort Myers (6-2, 2-0) heads to East Lee County (1-6, 0-2) for its final district test; Lehigh (2-5, 1-1) hosts Estero (2-6, 1-1) with the district runner-up spot on the line; South Fort Myers (6-2, 1-0) hosts Gulf Coast (6-2, 1-0) to determine the District 7A-11 championship; Riverdale (3-5, 0-2) hosts Westminster Christian; Evangelical Christian (2-6, 1-4) visits Marco Island (2-6, 1-4); and Gateway Charter (0-8, 0-5) travels to Mulberry (1-7, 1-4).
Go online Saturday morning to read full game stories and scores at www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com and click on “Sports.”