Island Coast junior Kelton Henderson (2) threw a fourth-quarter touchdown during Friday night's game against Cypress Lake. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

In a game that started two hours late due to lightning and featured double-digit turnovers between both teams, Cypress Lake defeated Island Coast 14-6 Friday night in rain-soaked Cape Coral.

While many teams in the West Zone postponed their games due to the inclement weather, the Gators and Panthers weathered the storm and eventually kicked off around 9 p.m.

Slick conditions and steady first-half showers made for a low-scoring affair with both teams having trouble putting together sustainable drives.

Cypress Lake (2-2) took a two-score lead into the fourth quarter and the Gators nearly made a comeback. Island Coast had an opportunity to force overtime on itd final drive, but a fumble dashed the Gators’ hopes.

“It was a sloppy game,” said Island Coast head coach Elgin Hicks. “I like the resilience of the team to be down 14 and still fight. I think coming into the game the way the season’s been going, we felt that if we got down, we could get in trouble, but they didn’t quit.”

Island Coast senior Ray Ray Ayala (8) celebrates a turnover late in Friday night's game against Cypress Lake. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

A slick coaching decision from Hicks to open the bout saw the Gators (0-3) recover an onside kick, but they failed to score on their ensuing drive.

It wasn’t until just over five minutes left in the half when the Panthers broke the scoring drought, as senior running back Brenden Anderson carried the ball into the end zone from 9 yards out to give the road team a 7-0 advantage, one they would take into the break.

While the rain started to taper off throughout the final two stanzas, the turnovers did not. It seemed as if when each team was finding a rhythm on offense, a fumble or interception would occur.

Both defenses stepped up to the task, namely the Gators when they had to protect the red zone. Island Coast’s defense on multiple instances came up with important third down stops to force (unsuccessful) field goal attempts or turnovers on downs.

“They played great,” Hicks said of his defensive unit. “Offensively, we didn’t help them a lot. We put them in a lot of bad situations, but they played great. I think our defense is back.”

Island Coast senior Dekarai Allen (6) runs the ball during Friday night's game against Cypress Lake. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Cypress Lake added its second score of the night on an Anderson 3-yard run in the third quarter.

With under two minutes left to play, the Gators still showed signs of life, as junior Kelton Henderson found senior Michael Sutton for a 28-yard touchdown. Henderson rolled to his right and fired on-the-run, and Sutton kept himself just inside the front pylon and reeled in the pass.

Island Coast has been trudging through some offensive woes this year, as they’ve scored just 13 points in three games.

“It’s starting to get there, it just doesn’t look the part right now,” Hicks said. “We’re starting to gel. We’re trying to find leaders, find someone to step up. I think a game like this, when you can see all of the momentum get taken out of them — they didn’t quit, they kept going. That’s something to build off of. We just have to keep on fighting at it.”

The Gators will have a chance to retool and tweak their game plan during a bye next week. They next travel to Mariner on Oct. 1.

— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter: @haddad_cj

1 2 3 4 F

Cypress Lake 0 7 7 0 14

Island Coast 0 0 0 6 6

2nd Quarter

CL: Brenden Anderson 9-yard run (Chris Cayton kick); 5:24

3rd Quarter

CL: Anderson 3-yard run (Cayton kick); 7:51

4th Quarter

IC: Michael Sutton 28-yard reception from Kelton Henderson (kick fail); 1:43