Prep football: Acuna boots Gulf Coast past Lely

Sharks defeat Trojans

Field goal lifts Sharks to victory.

NAPLES — It was like this for Gulf Coast on offense in its homecoming game against Lely on Friday — the Sharks’ longest play from scrimmage was a 13-yard run by punter Danny Acuna.

No matter. It was more of Acuna’s footwork that helped the Sharks earn their second win of the year. Acuna’s 34-yard field goal in the third quarter lifted the Sharks to a 3-0 victory over the Trojans at Tudryn Field.

“It’s the best game I ever had,” Acuna said. “I don’t find myself to be a key player but it amazes me that I can make a big difference in a game. I love what I do.”

Acuna, a senior who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, also played a big part in the Sharks’ shutout with booming punts that often pinned Lely inside its own 15-yard line. Acuna averaged 40-plus yards on five punts.

“He’s like a Swiss Army knife,” Sharks first-year coach Pete Fominaya said about Acuna. “He’s got all different kinds of abilities. His punts were unbelievable, and that field goal from the right hash for right-footed kicker is not easy.”

The Trojans came off their most inspired performance of the season in losing to powerhouse Immokalee last week in the closing minutes. However, on Friday Lely could not get anything going on offense, gaining just 110 yards for the game.

Still, the Trojans had a chance to win when Gulf Coast quarterback Nick Schmidt fumbled the ball with 3:40 remaining in the game, giving Lely the ball at its own 27-yard line. But the Trojans were unable to capitalize on the possession with two runs that went for no yardage and committing three penalties before backup quarterback Karbiel Dirogene was intercepted on a Hail Mary pass.

“We didn’t make plays when we had the opportunity to make plays,” said Lely coach Stacey Stewart, also in his first year at the helm.

Gage Rion led the Sharks with 61 yards rushing. Despite the low offensive production, Fominaya was pleased with his team.

“We don’t pass the looks test,” he said of his team’s overall small size. “We’re not going to be the most intimidating team coming off the bus, but we play with a lot of heart. Heart is measured in attitude and effort, and I think we did a good job of that tonight.

“I have a lot of confidence in our defense. We were outgunned and outmanned. They had bigger, stronger guys but our guys were fighting and are coached up very well. Our focus is to be a great second half team.”

The Sharks host Port Charlotte next week in a Class 7A-District 11 contest. Meanwhile, the Trojans host an important district matchup on Friday when they play 5A-12 foe Golden Gate