The Fighting Conchs spent the better part of last Friday on a school bus – more than six hours each way on their trip to and from Estero High School. That brought their total hours of bus travel to 35 over the past three weeks, making their upcoming bye week and homecoming much appreciated.
Marco Davila put Key West on the board first, kicking a field goal in the first half, and Noah Mercer ran one in for a 55-yard rushing touchdown, but the Wildcats outmatched Key West in size and speed, downing the Conchs 28-9.
“They were just more physical than us. Bottom line,” coach Johnny Hughes said. Also to the Conchs’ disadvantage were a pair of fumbles in Wildcat territory. “Ball security has not been too secure for us this year,” Hughes said. The Conchs have played some fantastic football this season but have been plagued with multiple turnovers in almost every game. Given the level of competition they face weekly, Key West cannot afford to turn the ball over if they hope to stay in the game.
As for the upcoming bye week, Hughes said, “We need it to heal some bumps and bruises.” After that, Key West will face Gateway High out of Fort Myers for homecoming on Oct. 27.
Marathon took full advantage of its bye last week to rest, recuperate and recharge. The Fins will need it for their upcoming homecoming week, a celebration packed with activities. The 2-5 Dolphins face 1-6 Gateway Charter out of Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 20 for their homecoming game.
Coral Shores played Archbishop Carroll at home last Friday, losing to the Bulldogs 35-26. The ’Canes got off to a slow start against their highly-ranked opponent, fumbling the ball on their first offensive drive. Further dampening Coral Shores’ spirit was the loss of starting quarterback Yemcel Moreno, who took a helmet to the knee, rendering him unable to play for the rest of the game.
“Yemcel is a tough young man,” coach Ed Holly said of his QB. “For him to leave the game, it has to be pretty bad.”
Holly shifted his offense and moved Isaac Holmes to receive the snaps, a decision which helped spark the Hurricanes in the game. Dantay Diorio struck first with a 28-yard touchdown run, the ’Canes’ only score of the first half. Holmes took matters into his own hands in the second half, tossing two touchdown passes, one for 31 yards to Jamoris Davis and another to RJ Dube. Holmes also picked up a defensive fumble and ran it back 52 yards for another six points. Holly praised Holmes’ ability to calm the offense and get some points on the board.
Coral Shores Hurricanes receiver Robert Dube catches the football for the Canes last touchdown against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Canes lost 26-35. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes receiver Robert Dube catches the football for the Canes last touchdown against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Canes lost 26-35. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes receiver Dantay Diorio dives for the ball but can’t make the catch against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes throws against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes take on Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Bulldogs went on to beat the Canes 35-26. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes #8 catches the 31-yard touchdown pass against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes back Dantay Diorio runs upfield against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes runs the option against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes back Dantay Diorio is tackled against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes take on Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Bulldogs went on to beat the Canes 35-26. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes take on Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Bulldogs went on to beat the Canes 35-26. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes head coach Ed Holly reacts to a play against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes scores a touchdown on a fumble recovery against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Both teams received a flag on the play and the penalties were offset. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes stiff arms a defender as he scrambles out of pocket against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School scores a touchdown against the Hurricanes at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes receiver Robert Dube goes for the pass but has it broken up against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes receiver Robert Dube goes for the pass but has it broken up against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes back Dantay Diorio is tackled on a run against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Bulldogs went on to beat the Canes 35-26. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes Jhonathan Mesa celebrates a touchdown against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes back A.J. Putetti loses the football as he’s brought down by Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. The Bulldogs went on to beat the Canes 35-26. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes gets rid of the football during an option play against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes is tackled as he scrambles out of pocket against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Coral Shores Hurricanes quarterback Isaac Holmes scrambles out of pocket against Archbishop Coleman Carroll Highs School at CSHS Friday, October 13, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger
“I’m happy with the effort the team put out. They played together and battled to the end,” Holly said, adding that Archbishop Carroll is “6-1 for a reason.” Next up for the ’Canes is Tradition Prep, a relatively new school out of Port St. Lucie. Holly is “looking forward to the travel and playing a team we haven’t had the chance to play before. That is always exciting,” he said. The ’Canes will play the Pirates on Oct. 19 in a game which was moved to Thursday to accommodate Tradition Prep’s homecoming and senior night festivities.
