All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
GAME OF THE WEEK
Dunbar at Naples
2009 records: Dunbar 7-4, Naples 7-3
n What to watch for: Dunbar — Look for senior RB John Jones to get a chance to be this team’s featured back. Senior QB Chris James will guide the Tigers’ offense, which scored zero preseason points. The defense, however didn’t surrender any points. Naples — The Golden Eagles did not make the postseason last year. Dunbar coach Phil Vogt has not forgotten losing to Naples in the 2008 postseason. “The faces and the numbers may change, but they’re pretty much the same,” Vogt said of Naples. One face to watch this year: that of senior QB Travis Carlyle, who ran for TDs of 44 and 33 yards and threw a 27-yard TD pass in a 42-20 preseason victory against Hialeah.
n The News-Press pick: Naples 34, Dunbar 13
Community School of Naples at Orlando Windermere
n Time: 4 p.m.
n 2009 records: First varsity season fro each
n What to watch for: CSN — The Seahawks opted not to play a preseason game. “With no game tape, it will be a good test for us to see what we can do on the fly,” said coach Damon Jones, who has 34 players, including freshman QB Drew Tomaini. “They’re excited to put on their new uniforms and hit somebody else other than their buddies.” Windermere — This marks the Orlando’s school’s first season.
n The News-Press pick: Windermere 18, CSN 13
St. John Neumann at Bradenton St. Stephen’s
n Time: 4:30 p.m.
n 2009 records: St. John Neumann 2-7, St. Stephen’s 4-6
n What to watch for: St. John Neumann — The Celtics have eight players starting on both sides of the ball of this District B-6 game. Senior OL/DL Josh Hardy, listed at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, leads that group. He will be helped by junior QB Dylan Woods. The Celtics lost to Golden Gate 46-12 in the preseason. St. Stephen’s — The Falcons lost their leading rusher from last season, in which they defeated St. John Neumann 46-15.
n The News-Press pick: St. Stephen’s 27, St. John Neumann 17
Lemon Bay at Gateway Charter
n Time: 7 p.m.
n 2009 records: Lemon Bay 3-7, Gateway Charter 0-10
n What to watch for: Lemon Bay — Sophomore QB Mike Messina, the son of coach Mike Messina, again will guide the offense. Gateway Charter — The Griffins will be looking for an elusive victory under new coach Victor Coates. Senior QB Shaquille Jones will guide the offense and senior LB Tyler Harvey the defense. Jones completed a 17-yard TD pass to Jon Quintero during a 29-8 preseason loss to Moore Haven.
n The News-Press pick: Lemon Bay 31, Gateway Charter 6
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN AT BRADENTON CHRISTIAN
n When: 7 p.m.
n 2009 records: Southwest Florida Christian 0-9, Bradenton Christian 8-2
n What to watch for—Southwest Florida Christian: Both teams’ season opener is a District B-6 game. The Kings dropped their preseason game 23-8 at St. Petersburg Keswick Christian. SFCA will look to establish its running game then hope that junior QB Andrew Hall can lead an aerial attack on the Panthers. Bradenton Christian — The Panthers are led by senior QB Sean McCarthy, who threw for 937 yards and 10 TDs in 2009.
n The News-Press pick: Bradenton Christian 31, Southwest Florida Christian 14
PALMETTO RIDGE AT PORT CHARLOTTE
When: 7 p.m.
2009 records: Palmetto Ridge 4-6, Port Charlotte 2-8
What to watch for—Palmetto Ridge: The fumble bug bit the Bears last Friday as they fumbled seven times, losing four, during a 24-21 preseason victory over DeSoto County. Senior QB Shad Thebaud is the leader of Palmetto Ridge’s new spread option offense. The Bears rolled up 330 yards rushing against DeSoto County last week. Port Charlotte:The Pirates will play in District 4A-11 this season. Tonight is their only home game during the month of September and they do not return home again until Oct. 15.
n The News-Press pick: Palmetto Ridge 27, Port Charlotte 17
ECS at Bishop Verot
n Radio: WMYR-AM (1410)
n Full game video: news-press.com
n 2009 records: ECS 9-3, Bishop Verot 7-3
n What to watch for — ECS: The Sentinels won last year’s meeting with the Vikings 24-21. Junior QB Tyler Viens has a big role to fill, replacing Colton Lynch, The News-Press Offensive Player of the Year for 2009. ECS must guard against wearing down against the deeper Vikings since the Sentinels will suit up just 25 players. Bishop Verot: The Vikings have the ability to match the passing prowess of ECS, thanks to senior QB Jake Kistel. Defensively, Bishop Verot will need to play much better than it did in last week’s 34-14 preseason classic loss to East Lee County.
n The News-Press pick: Bishop Verot 27, ECS 23
Barron Collier at Immokalee
n 2009 records: Barron Collier 9-2, Immokalee 4-6
n What to watch for — Barron Collier: The Cougars’ relentless running game carried the team to a district title in 2009. Barron averaged a tick under 254 rushing yards per game last season and had eight different players run for touchdowns. Such success may be hard to approach in 2010 behind a young and inexperienced offensive line. The Cougars’ offense was shut out in a 23-2 loss to South Fort Myers in last week’s preseason classic. Immokalee: Coach Jerrod Ackley makes his regular season debut for the the Indians. A pair of freshman excelled for Immokalee in last week’s 34-6 preseason classic win over LaBelle. RB D’Ernest Johnson rushed for 78 yards and two TDs and WR J.C. Jackson had a 38-yard TD reception of the game’s second play. Immokalee lost last year’s battle with Barron Collier 33-9 but expect a much closer result tonight.
n The News-Press pick: Immokalee 26, Barron Collier 24
Mariner at Cape Coral
n 2009 record: Mariner 1-9, Cape Coral 11-1
n What to watch for — Mariner: New coach Chris Siner makes his regular season debut for the Tritons. Mariner always plays Cape Coral tough, but a lack of big-time playmakers spells trouble against the explosive Seahawks. Cape Coral: Former Frostproof coach Brad Metheny also makes his debut tonight for Cape Coral. The Seahawks won last year’s meeting with Mariner 35-14. Look for Cape’s defense, led by senior DE Edsel Caprice, to shut down the Tritons.
n The News-Press pick: Cape Coral 28, Mariner 6
RIVERDALE AT EAST LEE
n 2009 records: Riverdale 9-2, East Lee 2-8
n What to watch for — Riverdale: Last year’s records show programs far apart, but Riverdale gets a potentially tough early test of its ability to rebound from wholesale graduations. The Raiders were strong against the run in a 20-20 preseason tie with Cape Coral last week and got two first-half TD passes from junior. QB Jeff Colton. East Lee: The Jaguars, a fellow 3A program in a different district, sport considerable talent in QB Marcus Simmons and RB Kyandre’ Smith, both seniors. Simmons had 200 yards before halftime in last week’s 34-14 win over Bishop Verot. Riverdale routed East Lee 48-0 in last year’s opener, but a repeat seems unlikely tonight.
n The News-Press pick: Riverdale 31, East Lee County 21
Lehigh at Baker
n 2009 records: Lehigh 7-6, Baker 8-3
n What to watch for — Lehigh: Projected to be one of Lee County’s top teams in 2010, the Lightning sure didn’t resemble one in last week’s 42-19 loss at Fort Lauderdale University Christian. One bright spot was the play of junior QB Malik Simmons, who ran for one touchdown and threw for two more in the loss. That’s a good sign for a Lehigh passing attack that was non-existent in 2009, averaging less than 30 yards per game. Baker: The Bulldogs won last year’s meeting 27-0. However, Baker lacks the skill position talent it had in 2009, as evidenced by its 18-6 loss to Estero in last week’s preseason classic. Things won’t get any easier against a speedy and veteran Lehigh defense.
n The News-Press pick: Lehigh 27, Baker 13
SOUTH FORT MYERS AT ESTERO
n 2009 records: South Fort Myers 10-2, Estero 1-9
n What to watch for—South Fort Myers: South’s high-powered offense starts with senior QB Dallas Crawford and senior WR Sammy Watkins. The duo connected for a 52-yard touchdown on the first play of South’s 23-2 preseason win over Barron. To stop the Wolfpack, you must stop them. Estero: The Wildcats topped Baker 18-6 in their preseason game last week. They also forced six turnovers — a far cry from the defense that last year allowed over 45 points per game. Estero coach Rich Dombroski is hoping his mammoth defensive line can create pressure on Crawford.
n The News-Press pick: South Fort Myers 35, Estero 14
NORTH FORT MYERS AT ISLAND COAST
n 2009 records: North Fort Myers 4-6, Island Coast 6-5
n What to watch for — North Fort Myers: The Red Knights topped the Gators 45-27 to open the 2009 season. There were plenty of new faces on the field for North last week when they tied Dunbar 0-0 during their preseason game. The Red Knights lost 24 seniors from last year’s squad.
Island Coast: The Gators did not have the luxury of playing a preseason game as it was wiped out because of bad weather. The key for Island Coast defensively will be creating penetration, which they hope to do with their defensive line as it typically runs a 5-2 defense. On offense, coach Joe Bowen said his team spent a lot of time working on the passing game.
n The News-Press pick: Island Coast 35, North Fort Myers 13
Fort Myers at Cypress Lake
n 2009 records: Fort Myers 3-7, Cypress Lake 1-9
n What to watch for: Fort Myers — Senior WR James Whitfield, recruited by Tennessee, has been cleared to play after coming back from knee surgery. “He’s happy, and we’re happy to have him back,” Fort Myers coach Sam Sirianni Jr. said. “We’ll incorporate him back in.” Sophomore T.J. Douglas will start at QB. Junior Dalvin Battle will lead the team at RB after having an 80-yard run last week. Cypress Lake — Sophomore QB Jayron Kearse is already regarded highly by the opposition. Kearse ran for two preseason touchdowns on runs of 65 and 6 yards during a 14-7 preseason victory against Mariner. “He has a wonderful athlete at quarterback, which is what makes an option team go,” Sirianni Jr. said of second-year Cypress coach Michael Thornton. “And I’ve been very impressed with their defense. They’re definitely a dangerous football team.”
n The News-Press pick: Fort Myers 23, Cypress Lake 20
GULF COAST at GOLDEN GATE
n 2009 records: Gulf Coast 4-6, Golden Gate 2-8
n What to watch for — Gulf Coast: Senior QB Darby McCormick has done a good job of spreading the ball to his WRs in the Sharks’ spread offense. Coach Andrew Miranti wants that to translate into scoring when in the red zone. Golden Gate: Led by Senior QB Ken Mouton and its offensive line, Golden Gate had a nice offensive mix in beating St. John Neumann 46-12 in last week’s preseason clash.
n The News-Press pick: Golden Gate 27, Gulf Coast 20
MIAMI GULLIVER PREP AT LELY
n 2009 records: Gulliver Prep 7-4, Lely 6-4
n What to watch for — Gulliver Prep: Two years removed from reaching the Class 2A state title game, the Raiders beat Lely 34-14 in last year’s opener in a game pushed to Saturday by storms. Lely: The Trojans looking for its third straight winning season, had a chance to beat Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna in the closing seconds last week but lost 14-10 to one of the state’s top teams. Senior RB Davenson Cyceron had Lely’s only score with a 5-yard run.
The News-Press pick: Lely 22, Gulliver Prep 21
MOORE HAVEN AT FIRST BAPTIST
n 2009 records: Moore Haven 4-6, First Baptist 3-5
n What to watch for — Moore Haven: The Terriers have to replace 1,500-yard rusher Fred Hall. They beat Gateway Charter 29-8 in last week’s preseason game. Moore Haven routed First Baptist 56-6 in the opener last season. First Baptist: The Lions got nice games last week from sophomore Alex Garcia and junior Rick Beaubrin, both newcomers, but face an uphill climb in their second season after a 40-12 preseason loss to Highlands Christian Academy last week.
The News-Press pick: Moore Haven 33, First Baptist 13
SARASOTA CARDINAL MOONEY AT LABELLE
n 2009 records: Cardinal Mooney 3-7, LaBelle 1-9
n What to watch for — Cardinal Mooney: The Cougars lost 34-14 to Braden River in last week’s preseason game. LaBelle: The Cowboys trailed Immokalee 34-6 during the third quarter last week when bad weather washed out the rest of the game. Senior QB Taylor Jordan had 40 yards, and senior RB Chris Garcia had 31 for LaBelle, which scored on Jordan’s 4-yard pass to senior RB David Miller in the third quarter. LaBelle led Cardinal Mooney 12-7 after one quarter in last year’s season opener before losing 39-12.
The News-Press pick: Cardinal Mooney 28, LaBelle 15
Clewiston at Plantation American Heritage
n 2009 records: Clewiston 4-6, American Heritage 9-3
n What to watch for — Clewiston: Look for the Tigers to feature a strong running game, led by sophomore RB Virthavious Robinson. But a lack of depth will make keeping up with American Heritage a challenge. American Heritage: The Patriots won last year’s meeting 46-14. American Heritage defeated Fort Myers 29-27 in last week’s preseason classic.
n The News-Press pick: American Heritage 35, Clewiston 16
Jacksonville Potter’s House Christian at Florida Christian
n Where: Rutenberg Park
n 2009 records: Potter’s House 3-4, Florida Christian 6-5
n What to watch for— Florida Christian: Coach Brent Burnside said during the preseason that he might have the best group of skill positions since he’s been at FCI. That group will be on display tonight for the first time.
n The News-Press pick: Florida Christian 22, Jacksonville Potter’s House Christian 17
