Football: Evangelical runs through Neumann

FORT MYERS -- St. John Neumann coach Steve Howey didn't get the

outcome he would have liked Friday, but he and his team hope they

got a glimpse of their future.

The Celtics (4-5, 0-2 Class A-10) couldn't stop Evangelical

Christian's running game, couldn't start one of their own and lost

to the Sentinels 41-0. A Neumann win would have clinched a playoff

berth as the No. 2 team in its class. Instead, Evangelical

Christian (3-6, 1-1) is now playoff-bound.

"We want to be a team that's going to compete with these guys

and Moore Haven for the district," said Howey. "We're just not

there yet."

In the Sentinels, Howey found a team he would like to emulate in

the years ahead. Two years from now, he wants Neumann to play

larger schools in hopes of improving his team. The Sentinels did

just that this year, losing to two Class 5A teams and Class 2A

power Bishop Verot.

The Sentinels seemed to be better because of it. They started

the scoring early, when PJ Woods caught a 37-yard touchdown pass up

the right sideline less than four minutes into the game. The

Celtics fumbled on the first play of the ensuing drive, and the

Sentinels scored on the next play when Brad Kaaber ran a sweep

right for a 21-yard score.

Roughly three minutes later -- after the Celtics went

three-and-out -- the Sentinels scored again on a 10-yard run by

Jeremy Drake. Seven minutes into the game, the Celtics were down

21-0.

The Sentinels were just as dominant on defense. Although they

were behind, the Celtics did not stray from using tailback Eric

Bratt. The Sentinels were ready for him. By dominating the interior

offensive line, they held Bratt to 52 yards on 22 carries.

"Teams that have seen us on film are keying on him," Howey said,

"and they should."

Neumann held Evangelical Christian scoreless in the second

quarter, but that didn't last long after halftime. Following a

half-hour long homecoming court presentation that resulted in a

15-yard penalty for delay of game, the Sentinels drove down the

field with ease. After a 17-yard run by Drake, Woods busted a

50-yard touchdown run.

Woods had an outstanding day. He scored the team's last two

touchdowns to tally four scores -- three rushing, one receiving. He

finished with 54 rushing yards.

Howey said the size and speed of Evangelical Christian's players

should be motivation for his players to get in the weight room, and

their consistent program is an example for Neumann's rebuilding

project.

Still, Howey is pleased that his team came so close to earning a

playoff berth in only his first year.

"I wouldn't have thought in Week 9 that we'd be playing for a

playoff spot," he said. "I just wanted to win a couple of

games."

Neumann: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0

Evangelical: 21 - 0 - 13 - 7 -- 41

Scoring

EC - Woods 37 from Calan Lynch (Kaaber kick)

EC - Kaaber 26 run (Kaaber kick)

EC - Drake 10 run (Kaaber kick)

EC - Woods 50 run (Kaaber kick)

EC - Woods 1 run (kick blocked)

EC - Woods 1 run (Kaaber kick)

Individual Leaders

Rushing: SJN: Bratt, 22-52; Lorenz, 1-5; EC: Drake 8-94; Cassidy

4-70; Calan Lynch 5-67; Woods 4-54; Kaaber 4-53.

Passing: SJN Leeds 5-10-42-0-0; EC Calan Lynch 5-8-85-1-0.

Receiving: SJN: Monzone 2-23; Bratt 1-9; Zynda 1-7; Riccio 1-3;

EC Woods 1-37; Currier 1-30; Kaaber 2-13; Davis 1-5