Mariner overcomes East Lee County, 17-7
Having to play three opponents in a span of seven days, the Mariner High School football team earned its second consecutive victory to open the season in Labor Day morning action.
The Tritons (2-0) capped off a 17-7 win over East Lee County at home on Monday, continuing a week one contest that was suspended at halftime due to weather.
Last Friday, Mariner pulled out a 10-7 win over DeSoto County and will take on Ida Baker this Friday night at home.
“It was definitely a big challenge for our guys,” said Triton head coach Josh Nicholson on gearing up for a Monday game after having just played Friday night and having another game at the end of the week. “We explained to them it’s more of an opportunity. We told them as long as we’re on point and do our job, we should be fine. We got the first two, now we’ve got to get the third one.”
The 10 a.m. start on the holiday saw the Tritons get the second half kick up 8-0 thanks to a Jamauris Woolfork 35-yard second quarter touchdown on Aug. 26.
East Lee forced a Mariner punt on the first possession of the second half and took over on its own 10-yard line. On the third play of the drive, the snap was bobbled, fumbled and ultimately recovered by Tritons junior Nolan Tantay.
Mariner was set up with a goal-to-go opportunity from the 10-yard line and cashed in on the second play when Noah Tolbert scampered in from five yards out.
The Tritons held their 14-0 lead through three quarters until the Jaguars finally cashed in. East Lee quarterback Gary Hagan, both with his legs and arm, worked his team down the field and eventually scored on a 5-yard run with 8:34 left in regulation, cutting the deficit to seven.
Mariner answered with a long, time-consuming drive, putting together 13 plays and bringing the clock to 1:18 when Gabriel Chica drilled a 35-yard field goal to give the Tritons a two-score lead once again.
Chica was instrumental in Mariner’s win over DeSoto County, nailing a game-winning field goal.
“Gabe Chica has ice in his veins,” Nicholson said of his kicker, wingback and defensive tackle/end. “He’s one of the toughest kids I know. He shows up every day and gets better every day.”
The 2-0 start for Mariner is the first time its started the year in this fashion since 2018 and matches the Tritons’ win total for the entire season last year.
Nicholson said while it’s great to be in the win column, there are lots of improvements to be had and work to be done.
“For our guys, we’re so young, that confidence is a big thing we’re trying to build,” he said. “Just how you have to prepare to win. Wins don’t just happen. It is big for our guys, but we’re not treating it bigger than what it is. We’re trying to be 1-0 on Friday.”
Nicholson said while scheduling conflicts thanks to weather happen nearly every season in lightning-happy Southwest Florida, having to prepare for three different opponents in a short span of time is a new challenge.
“We’ve been focusing on what is in front of right now. Because if you start looking ahead, you’re going to make mistakes in the present,” Nicholson said. “As coaches, we’ve been preparing and doing stuff in the background. We tell the players to just worry about the next play and not worry about who we’re playing – just do your job.
“We had Zoom meetings over the weekend to break down film and I’m in my living room going through the steps on camera with the guys. We found a way to get them better and get it done. The kids have stepped up. We’re happy, but not satisfied.”
The Tritons host Ida Baker Friday night at home at 7 p.m.
— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter: @haddad_cj
1 2 3 4 F
EAST LEE COUNTY 0 0 0 7 — 7
MARINER 0 8 6 3 — 17
2nd Quarter
M – Jamauris Woolfork, 35-yard run (two-point good)
3rd Quarter
M – Noah Tolbert, 5-yard run (kick block); 8:58
4th Quarter
ELC – Gary Hagan, 5-yard run (Jorge Gamez kick); 8:34
M – Gabriel Chica, 35-yard field goal; 1:18