Sharks set to meet undefeated Charlotte in playoffs

The Gulf Coast High School football team has battled back from a lot this season to make the playoffs.

First, the Sharks lost longtime coach Frank Tudryn to cancer in May. Turdryn, who had led Gulf Coast for a decade, had resigned in April, and offensive coordinator, Andrew Miranti, was named as his replacement.

Gulf Coast started the season 1-4 and lost starting quarterback Darby McCormick first temporarily to a concussion, then permanently after McCormick left the team for personal reasons.

The Sharks, however, despite the losing record, were able to win their two most critical games, Class 4A-District 12 victories over Cape Coral-Baker and Palmetto Ridge, a 32-28 dramatic win.

In the game against the Bears, Sharks senior running back Sebastian Zuluaga rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns, the last one coming with just 36 seconds left in the contest.

Gulf Coast finished the regular season just 3-7, but with those two district victories earned a postseason berth.

The team’s reward for making the playoffs: a road game against 10-0 Charlotte. The Tarpons, from 4A-11, in going undefeated in the regular season, have scored a combined 435 points while allowing just 69.

“(Charlotte) is a very good football team,” Miranti said. “But we’ve played similar kinds of teams. They run the ball very well. But, as we’ve shown this season, nothing is insurmountable. When we play well, things fall into place.”

One of the Sharks challenges will be trying to stop Charlotte running back Mike Bellamy. The 5-foot, 11-inch, 185-pound senior has rushed for 1,933 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. He’s averaging more than 10 yards a carry.

“He’s a talented back,” Miranti said. “But we’ve played some teams with talented backs this season and have fared pretty well. We’ve held our own. Our defense is excited about the opportunity.”

Gulf Coast has a pretty good back of its own in Zuluaga, who has totaled 777 yards rushing this season along with 11 touchdowns.

Part of Zuluaga’s success perhaps can be attributed to playing organized rugby during the spring for the Naples Bears. Zuluaga has played for the Bears for the last two years and said in the spring how the sport has helped him on the gridiron.

“I’m in excellent shape,” said Zuluaga in April as the Bears prepared to play in the state championship game. “It’s going to help (in football), especially breaking arm tackles. After last year, in spring practice, arm tackles were like nothing, like mosquitoes.”

Miranti said he has been very supportive of Zuluaga playing rugby.

“I’m a huge advocate of kids playing two sports,” he said. “It really allows the kids to learn how to let the competitive juices flow. Rugby and football are both physical sports. It helps add to Sebastian’s intensity and will to score. Football makes him a better rugby player. Rugby makes him a better football player.”

Even more than his contribution on the field, Miranti noted Zuluaga’s senior leadership.

“He’s a great academic kid,” he said. “But he’s also learned a number of positions, which sets an example for other players. It shows others he is willing to do whatever it takes to help make the team successful.”