Football: Naples rolls to 63-0 win over Cypress Lake

The Eagles (9-1, 4-0 in Class 5A-12) forced six turnovers in recording their fifth shutout of the season. Jamelle Eugene ran for 124 yards and four touchdowns on seven carries and Danny Dunford threw for 183 yards and a touchdown, as Naples fired on all cylinders one week before hosting Bradenton-Manatee in the Class 5A Region 3 quarterfinals.

Naples coach Bill Kramer said he got the intensity and focus he was looking for from his players.

"We came out and threw the ball around like we wanted to," he said. "We played at a high level. And our defense shutting out half our opponents this year is phenomenal. That hasn't happened at Naples in 55 years of football."

The defense got going on its first play of the game. Naples had scored to take a 7-0 lead. On Cypress Lake running back/receiver Kyle McClinton's first carry, Spencer Adkins knocked the ball from his hands, Joe Cosimano picked it up and ran 20 yards for the Eagles' second touchdown in 60 seconds.

The Eagles defense pounded the Panthers (2-8, 1-4 in Class 4A-12) for four quarters, recovering four fumbles and intercepting two passes. Cypress Lake's three main weapons -- running back Dalton Julien, quarterback/ receiver Curtis Hood and McClinton -- could never fire.

McClinton and Hood caught one pass each and Julien was held to 22 yards on 14 carries.

Meanwhile, Naples offense rolled along. Dunford looked crisp under center, going 3-for-3 for 59 yards on his first drive. He ended the first quarter scoring by hitting a wide open Renel Saintil for an 81-yard touchdown.

Dunford, who has played quarterback only since the summer, said he definitely feels more comfortable at the position.

"I never expected to be throwing the ball this well," Dunford said. "My receivers have been great and the offensive line has been blocking so well. Everyone's doing what needs to be done." The second half of the game was played with a running clock. The Eagles get former district rival Manatee next week. Last year, Naples beat Manatee 32-14 to win the Region 3 title and play in the state semifinals.

Cypress Lake: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0

Naples - 28 - 21 - 7 - 7 -- 63

Scoring -- N-- Eugene 2 run (Walker kick) N-- Cosimano 20 fumble return (Walker kick) N-- Dunford 34 run (Walker kick) N-- Saintil 81 pass from Dunford (Walker kick) N-- Eugene 17 run (Walker kick) N-- Eugene 78 run (Walker kick) N-- Eugene 10 run (Walker kick) N-- Corbitt 5 run (Walker kick) N-- Sanders 1 run (Walker kick)

Individual Leaders Rushing -- Cypress Lake: Julien 14-22, Hood 2-2; Naples: Eugene 7-124, Washington 4-72, Dunford 2-37, Sanders 3-15, VanWinkle 1-2, B. Stiess 1-5, Corbitt 4-48, Boggs 1-5.

Passing -- Cypress Lake: Solak 4-11-1-76; Naples: Dunford 8-12-0-183.

Receiving -- Cypress Lake: Hood 1-31, McClinton 1-18; Naples: Washington 4-64, Saintil 3-98.