Cape Coral, Island Coast, Mariner, North Fort Myers 2023 football previews
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 3 Suburban, District 14 in 2023.
Cape Coral
Coach: Larry Gary (second season)
Last season: 2-6, missed playoffs
Overview: The Seahawks were a handful of plays away from posting a winning record last season, losing three games by eight or fewer points. The culprit was an inconsistent offense. Cape Coral held four opponents to 10 or fewer points but went just 1-3 in those games. “I’m a firm believer that offensive and defensive fronts win ballgames and last year, we couldn’t move the ball,” Gary said. “We have to learn how to finish.” The Seahawks should again be led by their defense this season, returning most of their key performers from 2022, including senior linebacker Derrick Oge, who led the team with 93 tackles and six sacks, and senior defensive end Joshua Kelly (49 tackles, two sacks). In the secondary, the Seahawks have a wealth of ball-hawking talent in the quartet of juniors Rex Williams, Dereon Thomas, Kalonji Hamilton, and sophomore Jayden Boyd. Offensively, the group is still a work in process with Gary challenging the team’s offensive line to take a big step forward. Junior Ivan Harvin will be the team’s starting quarterback to begin the season but Gary said fellow junior Blake Thomas could also see time under center.
Season outlook: With Cape Coral’s offense continuing to develop, the Seahawks will likely have to lean heavily on their defense, especially early in the season. “I’m banking on this defense to put our offense in a position to score,” Gary said. “I just can’t wait. I hope these guys realize how good they can be.”
Schedule: Aug. 25 vs. Ida Baker; Sept. 1 vs. Gateway; Sept. 8 vs. Bonita Springs; Sept. 15 vs. Cypress Lake; Sept. 22 at Estero; Sept. 29 at North Fort Myers; Oct. 6 at East Lee County; Oct. 13 vs. Island Coast; Oct. 27 at Mariner; Nov. 2 at Fort Myers
Island Coast
Coach: Tyran Jones (first season)
Last season: 3-4, missed playoffs
Overview: First-year head coach Jones is looking to lead Island Coast to a winning record next year. After spending last year as the Gators’ defensive line coach, the players have warmed up to a familiar face quickly. "These are my guys who I battled with last year," Jones said. "It's been a great experience getting them to buy into what we're doing, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable." Coming back from a season-ending injury is Virdarious Maloy, who will also be a staple at running back now that he is at full health. Expect Maloy to be a workhorse in the backfield and a mainstay in the Gator’s offense after a summer of growth. "He's going to carry a lot of the load this year, offensively," Jones said. "We're going to lean a lot on him this year to do the things he did last year and keep it going. He gets stronger as the game goes, he didn't get as many carries we thought he should last year, so this year we're going to lean a lot on him." On the other side of the ball, Jones has seen growth in the linebackers. Specifically, junior Anthony Harris, who led last year’s defense in total tackles (81), has stepped into a leadership role and a core piece of Jones’ defense.
Season outlook: Island Coast starts the season with three tests in Riverdale, Bonita Springs, and Evangelical Christian. The opening gauntlet excites the Gators, and how they make it through the first part of the season will likely determine how the rest of the year goes. With a new, but familiar face taking the reins and plenty of returning talent, watch for how Island Coast takes the fight to 3S-District 14.
Schedule: Aug. 24 at Bonita Springs; Sept. 1 at Evangelical Christian; Sept 8 vs. East Lee County; Sept 15 at Estero; Sept. 29 at Mariner; Oct. 6 vs. Ida Baker; Oct. 13 at Cape Coral; Oct. 20 at Gateway; Oct. 27 vs. North Fort Myers; Nov. 3 vs. Port Charlotte
Mariner
Coach: Josh Nicholson (fourth season)
Last season: 5-3, missed playoffs
Overview: In search of their first state playoff berth since 2004, the Tritons return 10 starters on defense and nine on offense. “This was the group we took when they were all freshmen and we took our lumps when they were young,” Nicholson said. “We built around these guys with a plan to be at our highest peak this season. Last year we were close. But we’re not here for moral victories anymore.” Mariner is stout at all three defensive levels with senior rushers Kelvin Jimenez and Dennis Schmidt anchoring the front, linebackers Nolan Tantay (senior) and Clark Daley (junior) controlling the middle and senior defensive backs Justin Lewis and Marcus Kelly Jr. locking down the secondary. “With the athletes we have, if we can execute and all the guys on the field do what they’re supposed to do, I’m pretty confident our defense will keep us in every game this year,” Nicholson said. Offensively, the Tritons have a new coordinator in Ryan Hercek, Mariner’s head boys basketball coach, who has installed a fast-paced, multifaceted attack. “Anybody can get the ball and break out; it’s going to be fun,” said Lewis, who will also see time at wide receiver and, at times, under center. Senior Noah Tolbert will get the bulk of time at quarterback, a position he’s grown into. “He’s always been a great athlete but he’s kind of accepted that responsibility as a leader on the team,” Nichols said. “I’m excited to see what he does this year.” A young offensive line that started mostly sophomores was physically outmatched at times last season, but after an offseason in the weight room, the group led by juniors David Merveileux and Andy Seeley are ready to push back, Nicholson said.
Season outlook: Losing two games to Hurricane Ian last season may have cost Mariner a shot at the playoffs. That’s something the Tritons aren’t planning to let slip away this year. For that to happen, the team needs to play better at home, where Mariner is just 2-7 since 2020.
Schedule: Aug. 25 at East Lee County; Aug. 31 vs. DeSoto County; Sept. 8 at Ida Baker; Sept. 15 at Riverdale; Sept. 22 vs. Bonita Springs; Sept. 29 vs. Island Coast; Oct. 13 at North Fort Myers; Oct. 20 vs. Estero; Oct. 27 vs. Cape Coral; Nov. 3 at South Fort Myers
North Fort Myers
Coach: David Pasquale (first season)
Last season: 7-2, made playoffs (lost to Dunbar in Class 3S-Region 4 semifinal)
Overview: Pasquale, the Red Knights’ offensive coordinator last season, takes over for Dwayne Mack who resigned after compiling a 36-16 record with four state playoff appearances. He’ll inherit a young but promising roster with just six seniors. That inexperience was on display in the spring game when North was dominated 47-7 by a seasoned Port Charlotte squad. “It was deer in the headlights for two quarters,” Pasquale said. “The biggest thing I took out of that game is we had to attack the summer and we did that.” A healthy season by explosive senior running back Andre Devine, who played in just two games last year, will go a long way toward energizing a Red Knights’ offense that must find a way to replace Levontai ‘Bo’ Summersett, who North turned to whenever it needed a big play. So too will the continued maturation of senior quarterback Bryce Duross, who had never played the position before being thrust into the starting role last season. “I’ve seen a commitment to the position,” Pasquale said. “He’s really worked on his mechanics and done a great job.” Defensively, North will be anchored up front by senior lineman Adrian Stone, one of Southwest Florida’s best. “He’s nasty, and listen, he gives everything he’s got,” Pasquale said. “But he’s a nasty kid on the field, perfect for that position.” Among the young players being counted to perform this season are sophomore WR/DBs Keenan Moore, Jayden Reyes and A.J. Phillips. “We probably have six or seven freshmen that will dress on Friday and contribute,” Pasquale said.
Season outlook: North, which dominated the district last season outscoring its three league foes 111-7, will likely find itself in a much tougher fight for the automatic playoff berth. But the Red Knights still expect to be the team left standing at the end. “One thing I can always say about North Fort Myers is we’re built different,” Pasquale said. “We’re not going to stop, we’re not going to quit and we’re going to give you our all and punch you in the mouth.”
Schedule: Aug. 25 at Fort Myers; Sept. 1 vs. Dunbar; Sept. 8 vs. South Fort Myers; Sept. 15 vs. Lemon Bay; Sept. 29 vs. Cape Coral; Oct. 6 vs. Charlotte; Oct. 13 vs. Mariner; Oct. 20 vs. Lehigh; Oct. 27 at Island Coast; Nov. 3 at Riverdale
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 Cape Coral, Island Coast, Mariner, North Fort Myers
