Derek Redd: Hats off to Naples, Immokalee

Because, before the first ball is even snapped, they've made Collier County history.

After all, when was the last time two Collier teams have gone this far in the football playoffs in the same season?

The Golden Eagles will play for the Class 5A Region 3 title against Venice, while the Indians -- already the Class 2A Region 3 champions -- will play Hollywood-Chaminade for a spot in the Class 2A state championship game Friday, Dec. 12 in Gainesville.

This feat shows the rest of Florida -- the Miamis, the Tampas, the Fort Lauderdales -- that Collier County, with its six football teams, knows how to play this game.

Naples and Immokalee, Collier's two strongest football programs, proved that again this season. They're the only two county teams to make the playoffs every year since 2000, when Immokalee reached the Class 2A state semifinals. Naples won the Class 5A state title a season later and reached the state semifinals again last year.

The Golden Eagles and Indians took different paths to get to this point. Naples played the favorite for much of the season. The defense pitched five shutouts.

The offense ran over, around and through opponents to post some astronomical point totals.

Naples' only hiccup came, interestingly enough, against Immokalee. For the past few seasons, the two teams have treated local grid fans to some of the most exciting football games, and they didn't disappoint this year. The Indians capitalized on a few costly Eagles turnovers to win 26-10.

Naples rebounded from that loss, just as it had the two seasons prior, and no team came within two touchdowns of the Eagles for the rest of the regular season.

As the regular season winded down for Immokalee, it was looking like that win over Naples could have been the season's highlight.

The Indians started the season 5-0 but lost three straight, including one to district rival Bishop Verot.

Then they lost head coach John Weber, sidelined as the school district investigated an incident between him and a player. A promising season nearly spiraled out of control until the Indians regrouped to pummel Clewiston for the district title.

Now Naples and Immokalee have shaken off those bumps and bruises, ironed out the wrinkles and turned in outstanding postseason performances. Naples stood toe-to-toe with Bradenton- Manatee, then knocked out Tarpon Springs-East Lake.

Immokalee climbed out of its late-season funk to sprint past Cocoa Beach and Clewiston.

Here the Golden Eagles and Indians stand, at a point no two Collier County teams have stood at the same time. It's fitting, Collier's two best teams proving they are among the state's best.

It's a reason, even before Friday's stadium lights flicker to life, to stand up and cheer.

You can e-mail staff writer Derek Redd at dsredd@naplesnews.com.