Island Coast sophomore Glenn Green (36) celebrates with teammate Jason Joseph after running back an interception for a touchdown during the Gators' playoff win against South Fort Myers Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Island Coast scored two unanswered second half touchdowns on their way to a 13-9 come-from-behind victory over South Fort Myers in a road playoff matchup.

Looking to exact revenge on the Wolfpack after a week five loss, the Gators defense held the home team scoreless in the second half to advance in the Class 6A Region 4 tournament bracket and earned their second playoff win of 2020.

“Man, we thought we had a pretty good game plan, and we came out in the first half and acted like we were at the beginning of the season,” said Island Coast first-year head coach Elgin Hicks. “We kept our composure. We fought, and we battled. I didn’t get worried. I knew our defense was playing well and had an offensive plan for the second half.”

It looked as if it would be a rough night for the road underdog out of the chute, as South Fort Myers needed just six plays to move the ball 72 yards and score on their opening drive; capped by a 43-yard run by junior Jerry Cooper.

After three straight possessions that ended in punts, the Wolfpack looked as if they were ready to punch another into the end zone to start the second half, but the Gator defense held on three straight goal-to-go chances. South settled for a field goal and took a 9-0 advantage into the half.

Island Coast senior quarterback Gabe Fisher (12) ran for the winning touchdown during the Gators' playoff win against South Fort Myers Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

At the break, Hicks said he saw some of his senior leadership step up to the plate and ignite his players.

“In the first half they drove the ball on us, but we didn’t break,” Hicks said. “We knew it was going to be a long night, but our defensive leaders said enough is enough.

“We buckled down. At halftime, some of the seniors stepped up — they weren’t ready to go home. That energy spread throughout the whole team, and they came ready to fight.”

The Gators worked the ball past midfield on their second-half opening drive but eventually punted to South.

The Wolfpack moved all the way down to Island Coast’s 10-yard line on the ensuing possession before the play of the night sparked a comeback. South quarterback Raheem Gibson dropped back to pass, rolled to his right and missed his target, instead finding Gator sophomore Glenn Green who secured the ball, followed a block and returned the interception 99 yards to the house, outrunning South would-be tacklers by inches before breaking free.

Island Coast senior linebacker Camerin Camacho (3) makes a tackle during the Gators' playoff win against South Fort Myers Friday night. To view more photos from the game, see the Cape Coral Breeze Facebook page. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

“He’s been making plays all year,” Hicks said. “Last week when he (made a big play) he realized that he can play, and we keep telling him to be a superstar. He had his opportunity, and he was a superstar today.”

Green was happy to step up and make a play that drastically shifted the landscape of the contest.

“Once I secured the ball, I just got my footing and thought to get as far upfield as I could,” Green said. “Once I saw my guy on the sideline throw me a block I knew I had it.”

He’s also proud of the second half shutout the Gators pitched.

“In the second half we really locked it up,” Green said. “We really came out and did our job.”

With the comeback halfway complete, Island Coast would need to find paydirt once more if they wanted to move on.

After trading turnovers that failed to result in points, a South punt from their own end zone set the Gators up on the Wolfpack 33-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Senior quarterback Gabe Fisher, along with junior Dekarai Allen, maneuvered the offense using option runs and misdirections down to the 1-yard line.

With just over 9 minutes to go, Fisher put his head down and fell into the end zone on the keeper to give Island Coast a lead they would not relinquish.

Island Coast turned South over on downs on their next possession before forcing the Wolfpack to punt with mere minutes remaining, ultimately lining up in victory formation to run out the clock.

“We had a guest speaker that talked about the seven trips around Jericho — we still have a couple journeys around,” Hicks said. “We’re going to yell at the end and watch the walls fall down. We’ve been grinding since June, and we came in and kind of restricted everything, and it’s coming right now.”

Hicks said he and his team will be ready for next week as they travel to take on Belen Jesuit (Miami, 4-3) who defeated Dunbar on Friday, 56-44.

“We’re not ready to go home,” Hicks said. “We’re just getting cranking. We’re just getting going. We still haven’t played our best ball yet, so we’re excited to continue.”

–Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj

1 2 3 4 F

Island Coast 0 0 7 6 13

South Fort Myers 6 3 0 0 9

1st Quarter

SMF: Jerry Cooper 43-yard run (2-pt fail)

2nd Quarter

SFM: Valery Olivier 23-yard field goal

3rd Quarter

IC: Glenn Green 99-yard interception return (kick good)

4th Quarter

IC: Gabe Fisher 1-yard run (2-pt fail), 9:12