MICHAEL PISTELLA Island Coast junior Kory Curtis (12) looks down field for a receiver in the third quarter of the Gators’ preseason game against Lely Friday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com under Latest Galleries in the Scholastic Sports folder.

Though Island Coast is coming off a 10-3 season in which the Gators reached the State 5A quarterfinals, they face what many believe could be the most difficult season in program history.

With only five returning starters on offense, the Gators showed their growing pains Friday night in a 30- 21 preseason loss at home against Lely.

Following a 37-minute lightning delay, the Gators had four first quarter fumbles which resulted in two turnovers and a safety after quarterback Kory Curtis recovered the ball inside his own end zone.

While the offense remained self-destructive in the first half, the Gators defense looked untested and a little rusty early on.

With Lely set to punt on a fourth-and-15, the Gators received a roughing the kicker penalty after the Trojans putter originally muffed the snap before attempting to get his kick away.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Island Coast senior Antonio Greaves (21) finds an opening in the first quarter Friday night against Lely. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com under Latest Galleries in the Scholastic Sports folder.

Taking advantage of this second opportunity, Lely marched down the to the Island Coast ten yard line before quarterback Jacquez Carter scored on a ten yard touchdown run.

The safety on the Gators’ following possession made the score 8-0 after the Trojans failed to convert the extra-point attempt. Heading into halftime trailing 8-0, the Gators’ knew they had work to do.

Getting the ball at their own 32-yard line, the Gators took advantage of a pass interference penalty to move into Lely territory.

A 34-yard pass from Curtis to Sam Merchant moved the Gators to the Lely 1-yard line. Curtis capped of the drive on the following play by punching the ball in himself. The two-point conversion by Curtis tied the game at 8-8.

Asked about how his team responded in the second half, coach John Schwochow praised his players effort and fight during the entirety of the second half.

“We never stopped fighting. My guys kept working hard out there for the entire game,” Schwochow said. “When we could have easily given up, we kept on fighting, trying to get this win.”

However, it was not to be as Lely opened up in the second half. Lead by runningback Calerb D’Haiti, the Trojans rushed for a total of 347-yards as well as four touchdowns.

D’Haiti alone had 205 of the team’s rushing yards on his 25 carries. Suffering apparent cramping during the game, the senior running back left the field twice before returning in the middle of the fourth quarter.

“I felt great,” D’Haiti said. “I played with my team, I played for them. I just had to keep running hard, play for the first downs.”

While Lely may have won the battle on the scoreboard, Island Coast receiver Marlon Gaymon won big in the highlights department. The junior scored on a 78-yard screen play midway through the third quarter to give the Gators their only lead of the game.

Gaymon gave the Gators some life late in the game, returning a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.

“Tonight was all about getting reps and building momentum out there,” said Schwochow. “This early in the season, both are extremely important to a team’s success. Once we found our groove I felt we began to play much better. We just need to work on our discipline and getting the small things right.”

Island Coast opens its regular season at home next Friday night against South Fort Myers.