Bishop Verot, Estero, Gateway football previews for 2023

The News-Press and Naples Daily News will get you ready for the coming high school football season. Here are team previews for the Collier and Lee County teams competing in Class 2 Suburban, District 16 in 2023.

Bishop Verot

Coach: Richie Rode (third season)

Last Year: 10-3, made playoffs (lost to Florida High in Class 2S state semifinal)

Overview: The Vikings are not shying away from expectations. A year after a record-setting season that saw the team reach the Class 2S semifinals, the team is laser-focused on a state championship. “It's nothing we hide from,” Rode said. “It's definitely a conversation we have. I think last year, we talked about it, and it was kind of a dream. It’s something that they’ll be very disappointed if they don't get there, play for it and win it and they believe that they have that ability.” There is plenty to back up that belief, starting with junior quarterback Carter Smith, who will have his pick of top Division-I programs to choose from after heavy recruitment this year. Smith broke the Lee County record for passing yards in a season with 3,104 to go along with 29 passing touchdowns, 692 rushing yards, and 19 rushing touchdowns. Smith is surrounded by talent on the offense with receivers Matthew Turner, Tookie Watts and UNC commit Timmy Lawson at tight end. Complementing that group is running back Deshon Jenkins, who broke out in his freshman season with 1,218 yards and 14 touchdowns. “The way he played his past spring – he's a problem,” Rode said. “It's hard to tackle 220 pounds, coming at you with some skill. He's like a third pulling guard for us.” On defense, Jeremiah Dean is back at linebacker after posting 142 tackles and 16.5 tackles last year along with Parker Turner. Ryan Gadson is a skilled defensive back for the Vikings. That group will be tasked with protecting leads from the team’s high-power offense and coming up with their own big plays. “I think the defense took some undue criticism last year, and they're very motivated,” Rode said.

Season outlook: After dominating Class 2S-16 last season, Verot will be heavy favorites once again with the district likely coming down to their regular season finale against Estero. Whether this is a state championship-caliber team comes down to how well they handle the pressure. With Smith and this offense's breakthrough last season, all eyes will be on the Vikings to see if they can continue to progress. "There is pressure, and you can't pretend it's out there, you got to handle it accordingly," Rode said. "It helps me sleep at night knowing we have experience, we have talent, like these guys who have all been in all of the big games. So we just got to make sure we lean upon that and don't just assume we'll be there. But if they lean upon their experience, then they'll be able to take that to the next level this year for sure."

Schedule: Aug. 24 vs. Port Charlotte; Sept. 1 at Lehigh; Sept. 8 at Dunbar; Sept. 15 vs. First Baptist; Sept. 22 at Sarasota; Sept. 29 vs. Key West; Oct. 6 at Tampa Jesuit; Oct. 12 at Gateway; Oct. 20 vs. Cardinal Mooney; Oct. 27 vs. Estero

Estero

Coach: Darren Nelson (sixth season)

Last year: 8-2, made playoffs (lost to DeSoto County in Class 2S-Region 4 quarterfinal)

Overview: Estero has improved its record for three years straight under Nelson. This year, the Wildcats are going on one last dance with their talented core, and have a real chance to make a playoff run. "We really just want to continue to be us, continue to do what we've done the last few years to have the success that we've had," Nelson said. "This is a new season, it doesn't guarantee us anything just because we've had success the past couple of seasons. We've got to make sure we're doing all the things we've done in the past and keep building on that so 2023 can be as great as we want it to be." Senior Matt Wilson will run the offense at quarterback once again and is looking to build on an efficient season. Last year, Wilson went 53-of-102 in the air for 894 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Also returning is junior running back Malik Allen, who tallied 694 yards on 144 carries with six touchdowns. Last year’s offense was extremely balanced, and with an offensive line starting five seniors, expect the Wildcats’ offense to do just the same again. "I think balance is key," Nelson said. "When you look back to two years ago when we won a district championship for the first time in 20 years, our offense did that," Nelson said. "We had some weapons that were similar to this year, where I think we're going to be able to run, to throw, and have that balance so that we won't be one-dimensional." The defense also boasts experience, including last year’s leading tackler (57) in senior cornerback Luke Ghannam, and a three-year starter at defensive end in Mason Palkovic.

Season outlook: The Wildcats have a path to match last year's record. They have shown improvement the past few seasons and return the same talent that has only gotten better this offseason. If everything is clicking at the end of the year, expect Estero to be playing into November.

Schedule: Aug. 18 at Barron Collier; Aug. 25 at First Baptist; Sept. 1 vs. East Lee County; Sept 8 at Cypress Lake; Sept 15 vs. Island Coast; Sept. 22 vs. Cape Coral; Sept. 29 at Gateway; Oct. 13 vs. Key West; Oct. 20 at Mariner; Oct. 27 at Bishop Verot; Nov. 3 vs. Bonita Springs

Gateway

Coach: Cullen O’Brien (third season)

Last Year: 2-6, missed playoffs

Overview: O’Brien and company have a refreshed outlook on the program's third season, with experience returning at the line and talent under center. "The shift in mindset has been really important," said junior cornerback Derrique Mytial. "I feel like these past seasons we've focused on things that were completely out of our control at the time, but as we're starting to mature we are controlling what we can." After being held to less than a touchdown in four games last season, the Eagles have the tools to recharge the offense and put points on the board. Leading the offense will be sophomore quarterback Ty Williams, who excited the staff against Ida Baker in their spring matchup with 242 passing yards and two touchdowns. "We're really excited about Ty," O'Brien said. "He has continued to mature and learn the offense well. Of quarterbacks that I've coached and been around in this county, and I've been around a lot of great quarterbacks and passing offenses, this kid is probably one of the fastest learned and most mature quarterbacks I've been around and he's going to have a very bright career ahead of him." On defense, senior Curtis Hood brings size to the backers at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds while juniors Mytial and Justin Jean-Louis are building consistency with a defense that allowed over 33 points per game last season.

Season Outlook: The Eagles have quite the fight ahead of them in district play this year. But with plenty of returning talent that has helped lay the foundation, Gateway is certainly poised to improve its record should it stay healthy. Expect the offense to run a balanced attack, since the running back room is deep and multi-faceted while Williams has plenty of weapons outside.

Schedule: Aug. 18 at North Fort Myers; Aug. 25 vs. Cypress Lake; Sept. 1 at Cape Coral; Sept. 8 at Lemon Bay; Sept. 22 vs. North Port; Sept. 29 vs. Estero; Oct. 6 vs Bonita Springs; Oct. 12 vs Bishop Verot; Oct. 20 vs Island Coast; Oct. 27 at Key West; Nov. 3 at East Lee County

Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writers Dan DeLuca and Nick Wilson on Twitter: @NewsPressDan and @wilson32nick. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 2023 football previews for Bishop Verot, Estero, Gateway