Key West football opened the regular season in convincing fashion, returning from Boca Raton with a 30-7 win over the 6A Bobcats.
Reef Guyet got things started with a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by a 19-yard Jayson Michel touchdown pass to Kaine Dickerson.
Conchs head coach Johnny Hughes was pleased with his team’s performance against the larger-classification opponent, particularly the play of Chace Gaertner.
“Chace Gaertner was all over the place,” Hughes said.
Gaertner broke free for a pair of long touchdown runs, scoring from 40 and 68 yards out, then picked off a Bobcat pass on defense to showcase his two-way abilities.
The 3A Conchs face another larger opponent this week when they host the 5A Tigers of Palmetto. Hughes described Palmetto’s roster as “loaded,” pointing specifically to its sizable offensive and defensive fronts. Given that Key West’s own strength lies in the size and talent of its line, the matchup could be decided up front.
“It’ll come down to who wins it in the trenches,” Hughes said.
The Conchs will have some added motivation Friday night, when the game will honor Key West football legend George Mira, who recently passed away.
MARATHON
Marathon, also on the road last week, did not fare as well. The Dolphins made what was likely their longest road trip in 15 years, falling 50-7 to Wildwood.
Despite the lopsided score, head coach Sean McDonald saw something in the Wildcats he hopes his own team took home with them.
“Wildwood really showed us what we need to do better. They sprinted to the ball; everything was done (at) a hundred miles an hour,” McDonald said. “That’s something we need to do, and seeing it firsthand I think woke us up. We need to be the ones who out-hustle, and that’s something we are capable of doing. We’re going to put in the work and get it done.”
Marathon’s lone score came on a Jesus Gonzalez pass to Jeremy Thiboutot, who secured the ball in the end zone. The Dolphins immediately recovered an onside kick and were driving with an opportunity to tie the game when a Wildwood interception halted the momentum. From there, the Wildcats quickly pulled away.
Thiboutot led Marathon’s receivers with 33 yards, while seven Dolphins combined for 124 yards on the ground. Defensively, Gabe Harper led the way with five tackles, with Elliott Greenmaki and Garrett Ruddy adding four apiece.
Marathon was scheduled to play BridgePrep Village Green this week, but the Bulldogs requested the game be postponed until week nine. The unexpected break gives the Dolphins extra time to prepare for a familiar opponent and an opportunity for some payback.
Marathon hosts Oxbridge Academy Sept. 4, looking to avenge a one-point loss to the ThunderWolves in their spring jamboree.
“This is a great opportunity to show how far we’ve come,” McDonald said.
CORAL SHORES
In Tavernier, the Hi-Tides of Miami Beach rolled in and washed away Coral Shores’ hopes of an undefeated start, handing the Hurricanes a 42-0 loss.
“Our kids played hard,” Coral Shores head coach Ed Holly said. “At times, we played well and at times we made mistakes, and those cost us. Our team never gave up and we’re going to grow from this game.”
David Beltran delivered a strong offensive performance, rushing for 58 yards on five carries and catching two passes for another 34. Charles Royal added 60 yards on the ground and turned in another strong performance on defense.
Holly credited Marco Gudino for stepping in at kicker on short notice. Starter William Judson tweaked his knee during pregame warmups, and Holly elected not to risk worsening the injury. The junior, who spent the offseason honing his kicking skills at camps, is expected to return soon.
“It’s just not worth it to risk him getting hurt further,” Holly said.
Defensively, Luke Gookins led the Hurricanes with five solo tackles and two assists.
“I’m really, really proud of that young man,” Holly said of his free safety.
In the end, the Hi-Tides overwhelmed Coral Shores with what Holly described simply as “Dade County speed.”
The Hurricanes are likely to see plenty more speed this week, though this time it will arrive from a little farther north.
Fort Lauderdale’s Westminster Academy visits Tavernier for a conference matchup, bringing another talented and athletic roster. The Lions recently added a UCLA commit to an already formidable lineup, giving Coral Shores another early-season test.
“We look forward to the challenge,” Holly said. “After these two games, we are going to be battle-tested, that’s for sure.”
