Welcome to NaplesFan.com
home of
Naples High Golden Eagles Football!
Comments on this website? Here is your chance to send suggestions, complaints, corrections, rebuttals, etc.
What rain? Naples near perfect in 43-0 thumping of the Chargers
Yes it was wet. The wind was blowing. Lightning was flashing everywhere else in Southwest Florida, but the game went on at Staver Field. On a night where most of the local games were either canceled, postponed, or played in a quagmire, the Golden Eagles were able to get this one in. The Chargers from North Miami Beach probably wished they had never made the trip across the alley.
It was a slippery football indeed, so the Chargers started the game with a series of runs. They made it to the Eagles 41 before they faced a 4th and 13. A punt here would do no good so going for it meant a pass. Enter Sophomore Sammy Lubin who picked it off and returned it 63 yards for the first Eagles score of the night. Okubo added the PAT and midway through the first, it was 7-0 Naples.
The Dollar Defense stiffened, forcing a punt after just 3 plays. After the short kick only made it to the Charger 35, Billy Crook and company took over. Crook ran for 13 yards, followed by a 15 yard blast by Manny Morgan. Two plays later, Billy took it in from 8 yards out for another Eagles score. TK Okubo added his 2nd PAT, pushing the lead to 14-0. Okubo put another kickoff into the end zone, forcing the Chargers to go 80 yards if they were going to score. Nathan Jones made sure that wasn't going to happen after his sack on third down forced another punt. This one was slightly better, but Naples was still just 46 yards away from making it 21-0. And that they did. Morgan picked up a first down after two runs, then came Isaac Dutes. Crook worked the draw play to perfection and Dutes mad it look easy sprinting into the end zone from 34 yards out.
Okubo boots another kickoff into the end zone, and we started this sequence all over again. 3 Plays and a punt, this time with the tackle behind the line by Cody Christner. The punts are getting better by the Chargers, possibly because they have had a lot of practice. Naples is on their side of the line of scrimmage for this drive but they have to punt as well. Okubo puts the Chargers back on their 25, an area of the field that they are quite familiar with. The pattern holds as the Golden Eagles refuse to yield a first down, and yes, they punt again. Naples is pounding the ball on the ground with runs by Morgan, Dutes and Crook. With a first down on the Charger 30, Crook takes to the air for his only completion of the night - a 30 yard toss to Thomas Martin. This touchdown and ensuing PAT gives the Eagles a 28-0 lead, and we still have 5 minutes left before the half time show. Oops - no show tonight as musical instruments don't respond well to being under water. No more scoring either as the half does finally come to an end, after a fumble by each team kills their respective drives. As the scoreboard shows 0:00 left, the stampede begins as fans from both side exit the stadium. Keeping in mind that the Chargers only had 30+ in their stands to start with. Even the most dedicated Golden Eagle fans struggle with the increasing wind, cold rain reminiscent of Forrest Gump, and yes, the lopsided score.
Do not adjust your set - That is what what was left of "Rina" at the game too. Photo courtesy of the Naples Daily News
Surprisingly, both teams return to the field, although the Chargers appear to be a bit reluctant. The rain subsides a bit, and they kickoff to Naples to start the final 24 minutes of football. After a short return, Naples is back in business on their 21. Next up is the shortest (1 play) and the longest (79 yards) scoring drive of the night. Crook keeps it himself and bursts past the offensive line and the entire Charger team while he is at it. This touchdown is the one the fans have waited for as Okubo's PAT gives Naples a 35 point lead. Before the running clock can go into affect, both coaches must agree to it. I don't think they had to twist Kramer's arm and the North Miami Beach Coach didn't think that playing another hour in the biggest storm of the summer made much sense to him either.
The running clock does what it is supposed to do, quickly bring he game to an end and keeping the scoring down. The only other points put up came from a Quarterback keeper by Sophomore Kilton Anderson. The Chargers went quietly, courtesy of the Dollar Defense. The final was 43-0 as even a botched play came up Golden. The slippery snap for the last PAT was bobbled by Crook. He routinely snatched it up and ran it in for a 2 point conversion. Definitely the Golden Eagles night - with another shutout. The school record is 3 straight shutouts, so the question is "Can they tie this record against Lely in the Coconut Bowl"? Come by Staver on Friday to find out.
