PUNTA GORDA — Mariner High got the spark it needed Friday night when junior Eric Mitchell took the opening kickoff and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown.

For the Tritons, though, trying to contain the Charlotte Tarpons rushing attack was a different matter.

Mike Bellamy scored three times, including an 83-yard run midway through the first quarter, and Troy McClary scored on runs of 60 and 75 yards to lead the host Tarpons to a 41-12 win over the Tritons.

The Tarpons amassed 311 yards on the ground against a normally stingy Mariner defense.

“(Charlotte coach) Binky (Waldrop) has a heck of a team I’ll tell you that,” Mariner coach Chad O’Brien said. “They’re a well-coached team and they have a lot of ballplayers.”

Mariner (1-2) was trying to bounce back from a disappointing 25-19 loss to East Lee County last week. They led 19-0 before the Jaguars rallied in the second half.

What complicated matters for the Tritons were injuries, including a shoulder issue for junior quarterback Gabriel Rojas. He started despite being limited in practice.

Against Charlotte (2-0), which figures to contend for a playoff berth in District 5A-11, the Tritons faced an uphill battle.

The Tritons grabbed the momentum nine seconds into the game when Mitchell found a crease on the opening kickoff and raced down the center of the field. A botched snap on the extra point left the Tritons with a 6-0 lead.

The Tritons’ defense looked strong early on. Senior Kevin Payen broke up two passes, helping force a punt on the Tarpons’ opening possession.

On the Tarpons’ second possession, the Tritons nearly forced a turnover. Ryan Schneider tackled Bellamy for a loss and the ball popped into the arms of quarterback Kyle Midgett. Midgett ran into a host of defenders and fumbled the ball, but the whistle blew just prior to it coming out.

A few plays later, the Tarpons seized the momentum. On third-and-24 from their own 17, Bellamy started left on a toss play, cut back across the middle and went the distance, 83 yards, giving the Tarpons a 7-6 lead.

“That was huge, it really changed the momentum,” O’Brien said. “Football is a lot about momentum and how the kids feel. When they start to get down it’s hard to bring them back.”

The Tritons’ offense had its problems the remainder of the first half. They were penalized on each of their first three possessions, putting them in long-yardage situations.

They also turned the ball over twice,on a fumble and an interception. The Tarpons cashed in and built a 28-6 halftime lead.

In the second half, Mariner elected to play backup quarterback Justin Emmons. O’Brien said he wanted to give Rojas some rest with his sore shoulder.

Emmons, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Wallum.

“(The injury) is nothing too serious,” O’Brien said of Rojas. “It’s the third game of the season and I can’t risk the kid getting hurt before district. I thought Emmons did a good job. He threw a touchdown pass and ran the ball hard.”

Though the Tarpons were able to take control, the Tritons had some bright spots, defensively.

Jesse Crilly made a big hit on Bellamy early in the second half, forcing a fumble. Jeraby Bostic and Josh Lagrace each recorded a sack.

The Tritons return to action next Friday when they host Estero (0-3) at Tony McKenna Field.



Mariner 6 0 6 0 — 12

Charlotte 14 14 6 7 — 41



First Quarter

M — Eric Mitchell 72 kick return (kick failed)

C — Mike Bellamy 83 run (Joey Masters kick)

C — Bellamy 19 run (Masters kick)

Second Quarter

C — Troy McClary 60 run (Masters kick)

C — Bellamy 2 run (Masters kick)

Third Quarter

C — Kyle Midgett 1 run (kick failed)

M — Kyle Wallum 28 pass from Justin Emmons (conversion failed)

Fourth Quarter

C — McClary 75 run (Masters kick)