Naples routs undefeated Palmetto Ridge
Adam Regan
AREGAN@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Each week it seems there is a much-improved, up-and-coming Collier County program trying to knock powerhouse Naples off the top of the mountain.
And each week, the Golden Eagles prove the Gulf Coasts and Palmetto Ridges of the county just aren't ready to make that quantum leap and perhaps they need a little more seasoning.
That was certainly the case when undefeated Palmetto Ridge made the trip across town. Naples (6-1, 2-0) made quick work of the Bears, jumping out to a 35-point lead in the first half while smothering one of the state's top rushers during a 42-7 victory Friday at Staver Field.
The Golden Eagles, who have outscored county opponents 269-20 this season, again exerted their dominance in District 6A-12.
"It just goes to show we have something special going on right now," Naples senior defensive tackle Crandall Maines said. "They want to be the people to ruin it. Everyone wants to be the villain and kill the buzz for the team that's having a great year this year."
Palmetto Ridge was just another team taking its shot this week.
The Bears defensive front seven gave its best effort on Naples' 13-play, 55-yard opening drive. Forcing the Eagles into a fourth-and-2 from the Bears 6, running back Antonio Carbonaro was able to get to the edge and score.
After going three and out on its next drive, Naples reached the end zone on four straight drives, three of which came off a turnover on downs and two interceptions.
Senior running back Carlin Fils-Aime, a Tennessee verbal commit, received 14 touches and accounted for 150 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. He scored on a 12-yard run following a Tyler Kopp interception to go up 28-0 in the second and followed with a 29-yard run after a Terrell Posada pick of Bears quarterback Cody Young.
The 35-point lead started a running clock for the rest of the game.
Washington, who ranked sixth in the state in rushing according to MaxPreps, was held to 41 yards on 16 carries. He made it to the second level just five times.
"We know he gets most of his yards up the middle," Maines said of Washington. "Me and my buddy Colton (Strickland), that's our spot. That was an insult for us knowing he's going to try and run up the middle on us. We just couldn't let it happen."
Naples quarterback Kieran DiGiorno went 9-for-15 for 113 yards and a touchdown.
"We felt like we could run and throw it," Naples coach Bill Kramer said. "They did kind of what we expected them to do, a couple of wrinkles, nothing major. Our defense just smothered them and gave us short fields. And that makes it pretty easy."
With the loss, Palmetto Ridge (6-1, 1-1) faces a must-win game next week at home against Gulf Coast if it wants to keep its playoff hopes alive.
"I think we came out and fought a little bit in the second half. We didn't give up for sure," Palmetto Ridge coach Chris Toukonen said. "We punched one in late and, obviously, that helped us out a little bit on offense. I think we have get this dirty taste out of our mouth and come back on Monday."
The Bears may be without senior nose guard Joe Chmielowski for the rest of the season after he was ejected in the second half because officials said he threw a punch. The Florida High School Athletic Association levies a six-game suspension for such an infraction.
Palmetto Ridge athletic director Erik Timko said he will evaluate footage of the incident in the coming days. Chmielowski will miss at least next week as a result of the ejection.
PALMETTO RIDGE 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | FINAL 7
NAPLES 7 | 28 | 7 | 0 | FINAL 42
N: Antonio Carbonaro 6 run (Jerry Nunez kick)
N: Kieran DiGiorno 1 run (Nunez kick)
N: Carlin Fils-Aime 27 pass from DiGiorno (Nunez kick)
N: Fils-Aime 12 run (Nunez kick)
N: Fils-Aime 1 run (Nunez kick)
PR: Jaheem Washington 22 pass from Cody Young (Cameron Taylor kick)