Football: Sharks soar past Wildcats

Gulf Coast had a pair of 100-yard backs in Rahshaan James (121) and Tim Alvaranga (116), and quarterback Chadd Rivera had two touchdown runs to lead the Sharks to a 54-0 pounding of host Estero in the season finale for both teams Friday.

"We came out and played hard and had a lot of fun," said Sharks head coach Frank Tudryn, whose team closed the season with an even 5-5 mark overall, 1-3 in District 5A-12.

"I was really nervous because we didn't have a great week in practice, and most people talk about how important it is to win the last game and its importance on building for the future."

The future was supposed to be on display for Swats and his Estero offense, who were hoping that sophomore quarterback Derek Hatfield could improve in just the second start of his varsity career. After completing 2-of-5 passes for 43 yards in the first quarter, Hatfield was pulled for freshman Caleb Nemitz, and later returned to the Wildcat sideline with his left arm in a sling.

Swats, who would later help sophomore Jose Rodriguez off the field with a foot injury, would not comment on the na ture or severity of Hatfield's injury. The coach did say that he was played with the play of Nemitz, who completed 1 of his 4 pass attempts for a single yard.

"He's good throwing at the freshman level, but we wanted to limit his chances to throw tonight," said Swats, whose team closed a disappointing and controversial season at 3-6 overall, 2-3 in 4A-12.

"They just played better than we did. They did a good job running their offense and their defense took some things away from us. Our kids played as tough as we can play and that's all I can ask of them."

Tudryn said he was impressed with the play of his offensive line, which allowed eight sacks last week against Naples, and which dominated the line of scrimmage against Estero. Alvaranga scored off right tackle from eight yards on the Sharks' first possession of the game, and Gulf Coast never looked back. In addition, senior kicker Zac Kolegue was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts (from 37, 47, 33, and 24 yards).

"(Our offensive line) has gotten a lot of abuse," said Tudryn, whose team set a school record for wins with five and shutouts with two this season.

"We have four underclassmen there, so they really needed this.

They lacked confidence, and by nature, offensive linemen are sensitive guys."

Swats said he was optimistic about his younger players despite the score of the game. Still, there will be little time to recover from what has been a tumultous season in Estero.

"I'm never relieved," the coach after the final game. "I have a passion for the game and for the kids. I'll take a week or two off, and then we'll do it all over again.

I have a passion to watch these kids grow."

Estero: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - Gulf Coast: 10 - 9 - 28 - 7 -- 54

SCORING -- GC - Alvaranga 8 run (Kolegue kick) GC - Kolegue 37 field goal GC - Kolegue 47 field goal GC - Kolegue 43 field goal GC - Kolegue 24 field goal GC - James 17 run (Kolegue kick) GC- Small 48 punt return (Kolegue kick) GC - Rivera 10 run (Kolegue kick) GC - Rivera 4 run (Kolegue kick) GC- Pittingola 1 run (Kolegue kick)

Individual Leaders

Rushing - Estero: McCant 15-66; Gulf Coast: James 21-121; Alvaranga 9-116, Rivera 6-72

Passing - Estero: Hatfield 2-5-0 43, Nemitz 1-4-0 1; Gulf Coast: Chadd Rivera 1-5-0 5.

Receiving - Estero: Fitzgerald 2-26; Gulf Coast: O'Connell 1-5.