Local preps celebrate spring wins, look ahead to fall

The long and winding road to football playoffs for Lely and St. John Neumann will be difficult this fall. Lely plays five of its first six games on the road. It only has four home games out of 10.

St. John Neumann opens at home Aug. 25 to Westminster, then has five road games before returning home for its final four contests.

Two of Lely's three District 12 Class 3A battles that determine a playoff bid are away. Lely plays at Golden Gate on Sept. 15 and at Immokalee on Sept. 29. It plays Naples at home on Oct. 27.

Overall, the Trojans play eight teams that made the playoffs in 2005, coach Chris Metzger said as he looks at the season ahead.

St. John Neumann plays two of its three District 12 Class 1A challenges at home. The Celtics travel to Moore Haven on Sept. 29 and are home, playing Glades Day-Belle Glade on Oct. 13 and Evangelical Christian of Fort Myers on Oct. 27.

Although going 7-2 for the 2005 season, the Celtics losses were to Glades Day and Evangelical Christian to knock them out of the playoffs. Celtics Coach Steve Howey got what he expected in his spring game on May 26, winning easily over a young Bishop Verot team.

"We are a pretty good team, actually a very good team," he said. "If the kids work hard this summer I think we can compete with anyone. They will have to take it to the next step to compete with Glades Day and Evangelical. We have got our work cut out for us."

The Celtics have not beaten either of those teams and defeated Moore Haven for the first time last season.

"We have good talent in the skilled positions," he said. "The ones that started the spring game have earned their positions. It will be theirs to lose in the fall."

Shining on offense in the spring game were Bobby Davis at quarterback, cousin Jessie at tailback, Ed Sugrue running out of the slot, Bryan Provost at fullback, Sonny Dillinger at wide receiver and Tyler Moore at tight end.

Defensively, Provost, Sugrue, Bobby Davis and Chris Boran looked good, Howey said.

"I think we have kids who are committed to the program and will work hard this summer," he said.

Lely coach Metzger thinks his players came together in the Trojans' win over a very tough team in Boca Ciega of St. Petersburg on May 19.

"I think the kids believe in each other and they got better as the game progressed," Metzger said. "We played a lot of kids and they responded. Even the kids that didn't get to play much were excited to be part of the action."

Metzger said some positions were solidified over spring training, but says nine weeks of summer workouts can make a difference in some positions.

"No one has time to relax, they will have to hit the weight room and work on conditioning," he said.

Some players who have a lock on their positions are Ereck Plancher, tailback, Eli Ducatel, wide receiver and Sammy Rigaud, tight end. Defensive players Moise Vancol, Sam Baptiste, Nixon Joseph, Sanchez Faugue and Kenson Dera would be starters if the season began today.

Ralph Bathold underwent knee surgery in the spring, but is expected back to play defensive safety and vie for quarterback with Mike O'Regan.

"Mike did a phenomenal job in the spring game," Metzger said. "His effort was a testament to his work ethic."

Metzger has added three coaches to his staff. Jerod Ackley is joining the defensive coaches. Brian Johnessee will be an assistant offensive line coach and John Principe will be the quarterback coach.

"We all have work to do," Metzger said.