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Game Balls: Top performers for Week 6 of the Southwest Florida high school football season

Ed Reed, Fort Myers News-Press
·4 min read

Week 6 brought some memorable showdowns as First Baptist claimed bragging rights in Collier County by downing Golden Gate.

Two first-year coaches picked up their firsts as Lehigh's Antwan Dixon and North Fort Myers' David Pasquale put a 1 in their career win columns.

Week 6 roundup: First Baptist survives Golden Gate; Verot, Naples, Fort Myers score wins

Then there were the rallies as teams like South Fort Myers, Fort Myers, and Estero came back from early deficits to win.

With all that excitement, here are some of the players and performances that stood out to us as we hand out our Week 6 Game Balls.

Justin Compere, Immokalee

Immokalee running back Justin Compere scores during a game against the Immokalee Indians at Gary Bates Stadium in Immokalee on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
Immokalee running back Justin Compere scores during a game against the Immokalee Indians at Gary Bates Stadium in Immokalee on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

Compere caused a fumble on a big hit and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown and also had a touchdown run against South Fort Myers.

Grant Coppens, Fort Myers

The senior had a fumble recovery and blocked a punt in Fort Myers' win over East Lee.

Ethan Crossan, First Baptist

First Baptist Academy Lions quarterback Ethan Crossan (15) passes the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Golden Gate Titans at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
First Baptist Academy Lions quarterback Ethan Crossan (15) passes the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Golden Gate Titans at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

Crossan completed 19 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards on 10 attempts with another score on the ground in a win over Golden Gate.

Cayden Daugherty, Gulf Coast

The Bears appeared to be about to score on a flea-flicker when the safety came streaking down the sideline to not only prevent the touchdown but punch the ball free for a fumble, which Gulf Coast recovered at its own 1-yard line. The play helped secure the Sharks' win.

Andre Devine, North Fort Myers

The senior running back rushed for 215 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns as the Red Knights won their first game of the season over Cape Coral.

Ryan Gadson, Bishop Verot

The senior returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown Friday night, tying the school record for the longest kick return in school history.

John Lee Honorat, Golden Gate

The Golden Gate Titans compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Lions won 48-46.
The Golden Gate Titans compete against the First Baptist Academy Lions in a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. The Lions won 48-46.

The 3-star senior rushed 10 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns while adding four receptions for 44 yards vs. First Baptist.

Dorian Mallary Jr., Lehigh

The quarterback was efficient, completing 7-of-10 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns and running one in himself as the Lightning won their first game of the season Friday over Ida Baker.

Frandly Michel, South Fort Myers

Michel caught touchdown passes of 60 and 28 yards in the Wolfpack's win over Immokalee.

Gavin Postudensek, Estero

Postudensek returned an interception for a touchdown to extend the Wildcats' lead to 10 points in an eventual win over Gateway.

Colin Raymond, Lely

The Trojans quarterback threw for 159 yards and two scores in a win over Bonita Springs.

Laz Rogers, East Lee

The running back had 26 carries for 167 yards and a 10-yard catch to convert a fourth down for the Jaguars.

Winston Watkins, First Baptist

First Baptist Academy Lions receiver Winston Watkins Jr. (5) makes a catch while being guarded by Golden Gate Titans defensive back Jermaine Fabien (5) during the second quarter of a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
First Baptist Academy Lions receiver Winston Watkins Jr. (5) makes a catch while being guarded by Golden Gate Titans defensive back Jermaine Fabien (5) during the second quarter of a game at Golden Gate High School in Naples on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.

Welcome home Winston. Watkins debuted for FBA after spending the last few seasons at IMG and delivered five catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

Martavion Young, Naples

Martavion Young #2 of Naples High School breaks free for a touchdown during a game against Barron Collier at Barron Collier on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 Naples won 24-0.
Martavion Young #2 of Naples High School breaks free for a touchdown during a game against Barron Collier at Barron Collier on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 Naples won 24-0.

The senior who tore his ACL last season rushed for 133 yards − 50 more than he had all season − and a touchdown on six carries vs. Barron Collier.

This week's scores

Thursday

Lakeland Christian 35, ECS 14

Bradenton Christian 29, Oasis 7

Moore Haven 50, SFCA 11

Friday

Friday, Sept. 29

Naples 24, Barron Collier 0

Bishop Verot 55, Key West 14

Lehigh 42, Ida Baker 6

Dunbar 35, Cypress Lake 0

Fort Myers 34, East Lee 16

North Fort Myers 49, Cape Coral 7

Mariner 31, Island Coast 6

Estero 31, Gateway 14

Gulf Coast 14, Palmetto Ridge 10

South Fort Myers 39, Immokalee 31

First Baptist 48, Golden Gate 46

Lely 40, Bonita Springs 10

Charlotte 35, Riverdale 14

Community School of Naples 35, St. John Neumann 12

Bradenton St. Stephen's 32, Canterbury 8

North Port at LaBelle, canceled

SFA Academy at Aubrey Rogers, canceled

Next week's schedule

Friday

Naples at Palmetto Ridge

Bishop Verot at Tampa Jesuit

Lehigh at Sebring

Gulf Coast at Cypress Lake

Charlotte at North Fort Myers

Cape Coral at East Lee County

Ida Baker at Island Coast

Barron Collier at South Fort Myers

Immokalee at Okeechobee

Riverdale at Port Charlotte

Gateway at Bonita Springs

First Baptist at Wekiva

Florida Christian at St. John Neumann

ECS at Gateway Charter

Aubrey Rogers at SFCA

Glades Day at Canterbury

LaBelle at BridgePrep Village Green

Bye: Dunbar, Estero, Fort Myers, Golden Gate, Lely, Mariner, Oasis

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral top Week 6 high school football players