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Spring Games don't always predict the success or failure of the upcoming season, but often give you a glimpse of players that will have an impact on the team in the fall. Tonight was no different. Freshman Steven Williams broke off TD runs of 71 & 52 yards and classmate Manny Morgan scampered in from 34 as Naples used big plays to subdue a tough Venice team. Venice brought in the Miami Dolphins offense, or so it seemed, running the Wildcat formation throughout the night. This multiple faceted offense was very effective, and Venice broke off over a dozen plays of 9 yards or more. But as the game wore on, the Dollar defense stiffened, and Naples earned yet another Spring game victory.
Venice wins the coin toss, but defers to the 2nd half. After the kickoff finds it way into the end zone, Naples begins the Spring game on their own 20. 3 runs only produce 5 yards and Lukas Foreman punts for his first and only time of the game, to the Venice 40. The Indians are able to pick up one first down, but later in the drive, on 4th and 4, Keggan Anderson stuffs the play and Naples gets the ball back on downs on their own 39.
This Naples drive does pick up a first down, but also ends with a stop on 4th down, although it is Venice that takes over as Travis Carlyle is stopped just short of the first down marker. From the 36, Venice uses the Wildcat formation to pick up big chunks of yardage. Plays of 9, 26, and 9 yards highlight a drive ending in a 16 yard TD run by Danny Dillard. The PAT puts Venice up 7-0 with 1:38 left in the First Quarter.
It takes Naples only 3 plays to tie the score. After starting on their own 20 again, Manny Morgan pushes the pile to get one yard. QB Travis Carlyle runs into the middle for 8 yards to set up 3rd and 1. While the Venice defense plays up, expecting perhaps anther keeper by Carlyle, Steven Williams breaks through the hole created by the offensive line and outruns the Indians secondary for a 71 yard touchdown T.K. Okubo tacks on the extra point, and in just 1:19, Naples answers with their first score of the 2010 campaign. While Venice is still reeling from the big Williams run, T.K. and the rest of the kicking team execute a perfect onsides kick, and recover the ball on the Indians 44. Two short runs and an incomplete pass brings us to another 4th down, this time with 7 yards to go. Carlyle stands tall in the pocket and connects with Tay Pinckney for 15 yards and we have 1st and 10 on the Venice 26. A Manny Morgan run picks up 12 yards, but on the next play, Naples puts the ball on the ground and Venice has possession with 10:42 left before halftime.
Venice cannot get anything going, and after 3 runs nets only 6 yards, Naples fair catches the punt, but has excellent field position on their own 48. On first down, Carlyle cannot connect with a pass to another freshman, Thomas Martin. Not to worry, Steven Williams finds the end zone again, this time from 52 yards out and after another TK PAT, Naples takes the lead for the first time, 14-7, with 7:57 before the half.
Okubo puts this kickoff into the end zone, forcing Venice to start from their own 20. Keggan Anderson comes up big on two of the next 3 plays for the Naples defense, and another punt is taken by Pinckney on the Eagles 43. After an incomplete pass, Steven Williams breaks through for 12 more yards. A couple of plays later Manny Morgan picks up the first down with an 11 yard run. Not satisfied, Morgan finds the end zone on the next play, and Naples opens up its biggest lead of the night 21-7. With 4:07 left before halftime, we still have plenty of time for more scoring and excitement. Venice provides the scoring after Okubo's onside kick runs out of gas before it can go the required 10 yards. With a short field, Venice executes the Wildcat to eat all but 12 seconds of the clock before scoring on a short run from the Naples 3 yard line. Naples 21, Venice 14 - 12 seconds before halftime.
Tay Pinckney has been busy tonight, and he takes the short kick and weaves his way through a plethora of Indian defenders. While tightroping the sideline, he stumbles, regains his balance and makes it into the end zone for an apparent touchdown with only 2 seconds left on the clock. After further review, it is determined that he stepped out of bounds at the Venice 47, and the officials put a total of 7 seconds on the clock. Naples squeezes 2 passes and a run in the final 7 seconds, but cannot advance the ball, taking a 21-14 lead into the locker room.
Venice starts on their own 18 yard line, but is able to put together an 8 play 82 yard scoring drive. They take 3 minutes and 11 seconds to tie the game once again, 21-21. The Eagle defense seems to have no answer for the Wildcat as Josh Boyle accounts for 68 yards on this drive. Venice kicks off to Naples and Nikolas Gavin gives the Eagles a boost, returning it 40 yards to the Eagle 43. During this drive a 14 yard pass to Williams gives Naples a first down on the Indian 34. The next 4 plays only produce 5 yards and Naples turns the ball over on downs to a fired up Indian offense. Josh Boyle is running the Wildcat for Venice, and is able to pick up two errant snaps off the ground and keeps the Indians marching down the field. On the 5th play of the drive, Keggan Anderson steps up for the Dollar defense and forces a fumble, and the Eagles stop the drive and recover on their own 45.
The third quarter is winding down, and the Golden Eagles start on their 45, trying to regain the lead. Carlyle mixes up the pass and run, but this drive stalls on the Indian 16. The first play of the 4th quarter results in 3 points, as the Eagles are able to retake the lead on a 33 yard field goal by Okubo. TK then pooches the kickoff, and Venice starts on their own 32. This time Boyle gets some help from Danny Dillard and they use 4:32 to work their way to the Naples 16. The running game portion of the Wildcat is working but 2 incomplete passes later, the Indians settle for their own 33 yard field goal, and yes, as the full moon rises over the stadium, we are tied for the last time at 24-24.
Naples takes the kickoff and Gavin brings this one back to the 27. Travis Carlyle takes charge as he keeps the ball on 4 of the first 5 plays, driving the Eagles to the Venice 24. Ike Dutes, who will only be a junior this fall, finishes off the scoring with a weaving 24 yard touchdown run. The Okubo PAT brings the score to 31-24 with 5:02 left - plenty of time for Venice. TK Okubo directs another pooch kick and Venice will have to drive from their own 27. The Naples defense that looked like they were on their heels only a few minutes ago refuses to give up yardage. 3 runs for Venice gains 8 yards but on a 4th and 2, the Golden Eagles shut down the potent Indian offense and take over on downs at the Indian 35 with just 3:03 left in the game. A run and an incomplete pass, and Naples faces a 3rd and 10. Carlyle finds Steven Williams again, this time for 27 yards and with only 1:39 left, Naples is ready to score again, with the ball resting on the Indian 8 yard line. Just when you thought this game was over, the 2nd Eagle turnover of the night gives Venice one last chance, but they will have to go 95 yards to try to tie or win. A 15 yard pass completion is the only highlight of this drive as a big hit by Lukas Foreman on fourth down prevents damage, and Naples takes over on downs. Carlyle kneels down twice to secure the win.
Both coaches will tell you that winning is not important, but evaluating players and gauging progress is what these spring games are about. If you can do that AND win, well, why not?
Hialeah is only 2 months away - get ready for a another great season at Naples High!
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Naples
Golden Eagles
Golden Eagles win another thriller over Venice
31-24
Steven Williams celebrates after his TD against Venice (Photo courtesy of the Naples Daily News)
