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Naples Defense stands tall against Bishop Verot, Eagles win 39-3
On Senior night, the Golden Eagles left no doubt about their ability to control a game, as they routed the visiting Vikings 39-3. Despite 6 turnovers and a slew of penalties, Eagles win 301 was never in doubt. The Defense jumped into the Viking backfield on the first play and spent much of the night there. After a sluggish start, the offense scored on big plays and the Vikings never threatened, despite starting 7 drives on the Eagles side of the 50.
Bishop Verot wins the toss and decides to let Naples have a crack at it first. Isaac Dutes returns the kickoff to the 23 setting up a first down run by Manny Morgan. He picks up 4 yards and QB Billy Crook adds 2 more on a keeper. Facing third and 4, an errant toss by Crook finds the ground and the Vikings recover on the Eagles 24 yard line. Already in field goal range, the Vikings seek to take advantage of the great field position with a couple of runs into the heart of the Naples defensive line. They find out early, and will be reminded all night, that this Dollar defense has only one goal in mind tonight – that is to completely dominate from their side of the ball. The first two runs never make it back to the line of scrimmage, and the third down pass, even though complete, only gets back to the original line of scrimmage. The 40 yard field goal never has a chance, and is wide left, and Naples will take over on downs at their own 20.
The Naples offense is still trying to wake up and struggles to get anything going on this drive. A 4 yard run by Morgan and 2 by Dutes are sandwiched around holding penalty. The Vikings defense pressures Crook as he gets off a desperation pass before being sacked. That allows TK Okubo to get off a 38 yard punt and put the Vikings back on their side of the 50 yard line.
In what appears to be Déjà vu all over again, two more runs by the Vikings never get out of the backfield as the D-line owns the line of scrimmage. After an incomplete pass, the Vikings punt but Thomas Martin can’t find the handle and the Vikings again start their drive deep in Eagle territory at the 13.
The Dollar Defense is just getting warmed up as they again push the Viking offense backwards. A first down run loses 7 yards and Tyler Costa dumps the QB immediately after he takes the snap for another 5 yard loss. The third down pass is incomplete, setting up another field goal attempt. This one is straight and high but a bit short and falls harmlessly into the end zone. The defense is 2 for 2 in denying the Vikings and the score remains 0-0 with just 3:39 left in the opening quarter.
Steven Williams returns to the lineup after sitting out last week with an injury and hauls in a 22 yard pass for the initial first down of the night. The next pass is incomplete, then Crook keeps it himself for a 4 yard gain setting up a third down and 6. In a career filled with impressive runs, this next one moves up near the top of the list. Morgan tries the right side of the line but is stopped in what appears to be a 3 yard loss. He changes directions, and is surrounded by 5 Verot defenders. Aided by a nice block by Crook, he escapes and makes a big loop around the left side. He is finally caught at the 11, but this 50 yard run get the offense fired up. Even though the Eagles can only manage a 26 yard field goal by Okubo, you get the impression that Naples is ready to explode with more big plays. They don’t disappoint.
Okubo tries an onsides kick, but it has to go ten yards to be legal. This one is about 6 inches short. Once again the Vikings start their drive in Naples territory, and once again they are crushed by a swarming and determined defense. QB Danny Foy is able to complete a 10 yard pass, but that is the only highlight during this series. A fourth and 19 punt is returned by Martin, and the Eagles start off on their own 19. Morgan breaks off another big run, this time for 19 yards. Williams gets 2 more, and an incomplete pass sets third and 8 from the Naples 40. Dominic Salemme thinks he is in a leper colony as he is all alone behind the Viking secondary. Crook drops the ball into his hands and he picks up 54 yards to the Viking 6. Two plays later, Morgan meanders his way through the huge hole opened up by the offensive line and scores the first touchdown of the night. Crook runs in the 2 point conversion, and the Eagles go up 11-0 with 7:31 left in the first half.
Okubo tries a pooch kick, forcing a fair catch at the Viking 26. Strangely enough this drive also starts off with a 10 yard pass completion, but like the last one, ends up with a 4th down and 19. This Viking punt enjoys a good roll and puts Naples back on their 28. Dutes picks up the first down after runs of 4 and 9 yards. Williams picks up 4 more and Crook finds Martin for a 16 yard gain near the sideline. A Dutes run is wiped out by a holding penalty, but on first and 20 The Eagles execute the draw play to perfection. Dutes strolls through the hole in the line and easily makes it to the 10 yard line. Not to be denied, he breaks a tackle and finds pay dirt, or in our case, artificial turf, for 6 more Golden Eagles points. Crook adds 2 more points with a lob to a once again wide open Salemme. The score is now 19-0 with just 3:09 left in the opening half.
Just to spice things up, Okubo tries another onsides kick, and this one is perfect as he falls on his own kick to give Naples the ball at their own 49. Another scoring drive would have to wait however as a Golden Eagle fumble on first down gives the ball and new life back to Bishop Verot. The life quickly ebbs away as the Dollar D rebukes the Vikings, forcing another punt. Martin returns it to the 32 for a 5 yard gain. Trying to pad the stats, the Eagles pick up a personal foul penalty, so they can now start deep in their own territory at the 17. Runs by Crook and Morgan bring the ball to the 24, setting up a third and 3. The crowd wonders if Crook will take the safe choice and keep it himself, or perhaps give it to Morgan, hoping he can bull his way to the first down. Crook decides none of the above, as he heaves the ball downfield into the waiting hands of Martin, who takes it in for the longest play of the night, a 76 yard TD reception. The following 2 point try is no good, but the last of the wind may have gone out of the Viking sails, as the score is now 25-0 with just 25 seconds before the half.
This Okubo onsides kick is a bit short, and the Viking half ends with a fumbled snap. The Golden Eagles Defense has been merciless and the offense is showing what we expected with big plays and pounding the ball at the Vikings. What will change in the second half? (continued below)
Deac Conti with his 1st of two picks on the night, as the Seniors lead a dominant Naples Defense Photo courtesy of the Naples Daily news
Even the Eagle was smiling after Naples went up 25-0 at the half. Photo courtesy of Kyle Shatto - NHS
Not much, as the Eagles continue to own the line of scrimmage. That is no more evident than on this series, which starts on the Viking 34 after an Okubo pooch kick. The first run loses 3 yards. Cody Christner pressures the QB on second down and the pass is incomplete. On third down a lateral fools nobody and it is blown up for an 8 yard loss. Even punting doesn’t help as this one is partially deflected and only nets 14 yards. So now the Eagles take over on the Viking 37, just 3 yards back from where the Vikings were a few minutes ago. The Eagles strike quickly as Dutes picks up 6 yards on first down. A draw play to Morgan picks up 25 yards, and Dutes finishes the drive with a 6 yard TD burst. Okubo is again perfect and now the rout is officially on as the Eagles build a 32-0 lead with 9:10 to go in the third quarter.
Since Okubo leads the world in touchbacks and onside kicks, it is time to let the special teams practice some kick coverage. TK drops the ball on the 5 yard line, and it is returned all the way to the Viking 43. The story line does not change here, as once again the Viking offense is no match for the Golden Eagle defense. The pass rush forces an errant throw and on 2nd down they only gain two. Deac Conti enjoys Senior Night, and celebrates with a leaping interception of the next pass. Eagles ball on their own 36.
Here is where the game starts to slow down as turnovers take center stage. The Eagles move to near midfield, but a fumble gives it right back to Bishop Verot. The Vikings still can’t do anything, so after 3 incomplete passes, they punt it back to the Eagles. Now we are playing the old game “hot potato”, as Naples fumbles it right back. The Vikings are still trying to move the ball, but on third and 12, QB Foy is hammered by Christner as he releases the ball, and it only makes it back to the line of scrimmage. John Anthony makes a great reception, but he is an offensive lineman, and not supposed to do that. The 10 yard penalty and loss of down brings up 4th and 24. Punting is not an option at this point, but the downfield pass is once again intercepted by Conti. He works the sideline and returns 46 yards to set up the Eagle final scoring drive of the night.
With only 38 yards to go, this drive ends quickly. Morgan hauls in a pass from Crook and picks up 20 yards. Dutes gets 5 on the ground, and Crook keeps it for 10 more. Billy finished the drive with a 3 yard run and the Okubo PAT inflates the score to 39-0. Okubo then blasts his kickoff into the end zone, forcing the Vikings to go 80 yards to get on the scoreboard. This won’t happen on this drive as three incomplete passes force another punt.
Cody Thoman is now behind center, but Naples cannot pick up a first down and must punt. This punt is just a bit too high for Okubo and he tracks it down on the 16. This sets up the best scoring chance of the night for the Vikings, but the Golden Eagle defense is not quite ready to give up the shutout. It takes Bishop Verot 11 plays, aided by a couple of Naples penalties, to get to the 5 yard line. From there, they are able to get their three points on a 22 yard field goal. A running clock started at the beginning of the 4th quarter, so this drive actually took 6:52 seconds to go 11 yards. Yes, the defense has been stout tonight!
The rest of the game goes quickly, and Brian Donnelly continues his strong defensive play as he intercepts the last pass of the night from Danny Foy. Just how good was the Naples Defense? They held Bishop Verot to negative 10 yards for the night. Yes, the reports of the demise of the Eagles defense may have been a bit premature.
