3 teams advance in football playoffs Lely wrestlers win Gulf Coast Invitational

Photo by SCOTT MCINTYRE

Scott McIntyre/Staff Naples High School's Manny Morgan celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter in their win Class 6A regional quarterfinal win over Island Coast High School at Naples on Friday.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Roger LaLonde/Staff (2) Lely wrestler Claudel Alix won in the 220-pound competition as Lely won the Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

FBA's Chris Dorriill talks about his touchdown run with Jonah Bueltel (14) as the Lions downed Largo-Indian Rocks, 42-21 in a Class 2A regional semifinal on Friday night at FBA. Bueltel scored four touchdowns and passed for another to lead the Lions to victory.

Lely wrestlers eked out a team win at the Golden Gate Invitational on Saturday.

Area teams, Barron Collier, Gulf Coast, Lely, Naples, and the Golden Gate were among the 14 teams.

Lely came out 2.5 points ahead of Ida Baker with a 196.5 points, with six wrestlers competing in the championship finals and four winning. Lely also had two of the five wrestlers that competed in the consolation finals win.

"I think the kids worked really hard today," said coach Mark Modica of Lely. "I am also really happy with the coaching staff's efforts and the time they have put in with these kids. We are off to a good start on the season."

Naples's Joseph Guelfi defeated Barron Collier's Michael Blasucci in the 126-pound weight class, by an 8-4 decision to record his 100th match win.

Guelfi was one of three wrestlers for Naples that won in the championship finals, contributing to Naples' 120.5 point third-place finish. Barron Collier finished fifth. Gulf Coast's Cardin Hillis led Gulf Coast with his 4-0 decision in the 160 pound title match against Lely's Tupac Isme.

Host Golden Gate finished 10th and had one wrestler wholost in the championship finals.

"We didn't have our football players yet, so we had a poor showing today," said coach Ed Munn of Golden Gate

Teams advance in playoffs

First Baptist Academy, Naples and Immokalee advanced in regional playoffs with wins on Friday night.

First Baptist remains undefeated, using a second-half attack to bury Largo-Indian Rocks, 42-21. Naples also stayed undefeated, sinking Island Coast, 45-7. Immokalee ran by Estero, 35-13.

Barron Collier didn't fair as well, losing 27-0 to South Fort Myers and Golden Gate lost to East Lee County, 35-7.

First Baptist Academy hosts Tampa-Carrollwood Country Day at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in a 2A regional championship contest.

Naples travels to South Fort Myers in a 6A regional semifinal matchup at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Immokalee hosts East Lee County in a 4A regional semifinal contest at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Indian Rocks was up 14-8 late in the second quarter, seemingly having the momentum against 11-0 First Baptist. But a fumble recovery by the Lions Kyle Radcliffe led to a score and a successful fake punt led to a touchdown in the third quarter.

By then Indians Rocks was physically spent trying, to stop the Lions who clawed the Golden Eagles with their running game.

Quarterback Jonah Bueltel rushed for 212 yards, including four touchdowns and threw for another. Chris Dorrill took care of the second half running chores, gaining 124 yards, including a touchdown and set up another score on a 49-yard run. Zach Williams scored on a pass from Bueltel.

Always dependable Manny Morgan rushed for 159 yards in leading Naples, 10-0, to victory.

Island Coast gave Naples a slight scare when IC drove 80 yards, but defensive back Sammy Lubin intercepted a pass and Naples marched down the field for a score. Naples scored on its first four possessions.

Immokalee quarterback Tshumbi Johnson showed his right shoulder injury was better as he rushed for 130 yards and brother D'Ernest Johnson ran for another 142, all in the first half.

Immokalee, 8-3, ran up 224 yards in penalties, which did not please coach Jerrod Ackley.

"We've gone through situations where we have been a lot better, but tonight was ridiculous," he said.

East Lee, 7-4, makes the regional semifinal while playing football for only four years.