SW FL Football previews: Barron Collier, Lely, Estero, Island Coast, Aubrey Rogers, Bonita

The News-Press and Naples Daily News will get you ready for the coming high school football season. Here are team previews for the Collier and Lee County teams competing in Districts 3A-13 and 3A-14.

Class 3A-District 13

Cypress Lake Football

Coach: Joey Mendes (fourth season)

Last season: 2-8, missed playoffs

Overview: The Panthers are looking to turn the page from last year, starting the regular season 2-0 before losing their final eight games with a point differential of minus-196. The program graduated quarterback Tyrese Nelson but has Joey Dube-Garrett ready to step into that role during his senior season. He’ll be paired up with a receiving corps that includes his brother Zeke Dube-Garrett. With Deveon Simmons and Isaiah Livingstone returning in the backfield, they’ll look to make an impact on a Cypress Lake team that averaged 126.7 yards of offense per contest a season ago. “We’re just trying to build off of some of the strengths we had coming out of spring,” Mendes said. “… We’re making sure everyone’s on track with what we did in the spring, and the growth we had on offense. Going forward, we’re trying to build a team.” Defensively, the nucleus returns with Dylan Moore (138 tackles, 15 TFLs, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery) at linebacker, along with Chartrael Jenkins and others. “The mindset is a district championship,” Joey Dube-Garrett said. “That’s what we’re working for. I think we have a chance to do that.”

Season outlook: Before jumping into district play against Estero on Sept. 27, the Panthers will have a tough schedule, taking on Dunbar, Fort Myers, East Lee County, and Riverdale. Cypress Lake will have to clean up the turnovers, committing 20 between interceptions and offensive fumbles last season. The penalties too have to be addressed, as the team was plagued with them in a 42-3 kickoff classic loss to North Fort Myers. If they can manage to cut down on both, then the program may be hoisting the program's first district trophy with Mendes as head coach.

Schedule: Aug. 22 at Dunbar; Aug. 30 vs. Ida Baker; Sept. 6 vs. Fort Myers; Sept. 13 at East Lee County; Sept. 20 at Riverdale; Sept. 27 at Estero; Oct. 4 vs. South Fort Myers; Oct. 11 vs. Island Coast; Oct. 25 at Lemon Bay; Nov. 1 vs. Mariner

Estero Football

Coach: Darren Nelson (seventh season)

Last season: 9-3, made playoffs (lost to Bishop Verot in Class 2S-Region 4 semifinal)

Overview: The Wildcats have been on the come-up in Lee County over the last three seasons and are seeking to sustain that status heading into Darren Nelson's seventh season leading the program. Estero returns enough to be able to compete, headlined by 1,200-yard rusher Malik Allen (1,293 yards, 10 TDs), Kegan Kreuscher (33 rec, 396 yards, 4 TDs), and Owen Maurizi (25 rec, 260 yards, 2 TDs). Replacing do-it-all athlete Luke Ghannam and quarterback Matt Wilson will be the tallest orders of them all though. Ghannam led Estero with 515 receiving yards and five touchdowns, adding 45 tackles on defense with an area high 10 takeaways — 4 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries. Wilson threw for 1,967 yards and 21 touchdowns, leaving a quarterback battle between Austin Hill and Maddox Stewart that didn't appear to be settled in last week's jamboree against Barron Collier and Fort Myers. The Wildcats were outscored 48-13 against the Green Wave and Cougars, as the team is expected to be far younger this season with the graduations of key seniors aside from Ghannam and Wilson. “We’re very, very young, so growing pains," Nelson said. "But like I told them, we’ve got to really grow up quick from week one to two. They are young so we just have to keep them positive and moving in the right direction. This is a team that if we stay healthy is just going to continue to get better and better… it ain’t over after a kickoff classic.”

Season outlook: With this being the toughest ask in Nelson's last four years as a head coach, the Wildcats will look to post another winning season and hoist a district trophy, having posted 24 wins over the last three seasons. They'll have their work cut out for them early against Riverdale and East Lee County but have a chance to go on a stretch run starting Sept. 20. After a season-opening loss to First Baptist last year, the Wildcats won seven straight before running into a buzzsaw in Bishop Verot — a team no longer in the district.

Schedule: Aug. 23 vs. Riverdale; Aug. 30 at Aubrey Rogers; Sept. 6 at East Lee County; Sept. 13 vs. Ida Baker; Sept. 20 at Cape Coral; Sept. 27 vs. Cypress Lake; Oct. 11 vs. Lemon Bay; Oct. 18 vs. Mariner; Oct. 25 at Island Coast; Nov. 1 at Bonita Springs

Island Coast

Coach: Tyran Jones (second season)

Last season: 4-6, missed playoffs

Overview: The Gators were unable to defend home turf last year, going 1-3 at home while losing those three games by an average margin of 36.3 points. Granted, nearly 40 percent of Island Coast's allowed points a season ago came in the final two games of the regular season, which is something Tyran Jones and company are looking to build off of and move past. Island Coast lost their top two receivers to Dunbar in Virdarian Maloy and Kobey Babernitch, but appear poised to move past that with Gervaris Leaphart returning in the backfield. Leaphart accounted for nearly 300 all-purpose yards in the kickoff classic against Bonita Springs, doing it all on just 13 touches. Kennari Shorter and Keenan Moore made strides at wide receiver, making things easier on Leaphart and quarterback Dominic Jones, who is being eased into action as the team's starting quarterback. "... We want to make sure everyone knows that it’s not the Gervaris Leaphart show every night,” Jones told The News-Press after Island Coast's 25-3 win over Bonita Springs. Defensively, this unit was relatively stout all season, allowing just 17 points per game in their first eight contests before North Fort Myers and Port Charlotte inflated those numbers. Anthony Harris (154 tackles, 21 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT) returns defensively at linebacker, giving the Gators an alpha within the front seven. Curtis Walton Jr. is also poised for a big year in the secondary, as Jones raved about him at Lee County Media Day. Walton Jr. followed up that praise with an interception against Bonita.

Season outlook: The Gators are riding a lot of momentum as they had little issue with Bonita Springs in a 25-3 win. The luxury of having 12 assistant coaches on staff has paid dividends so far for Jones and company, as the players can work individually within their position groups, something that wasn't the case each of the last two seasons. Island Coast's schedule is similarly structured to Estero's, with two tough teams early in Port Charlotte and Dunbar, followed by a seven-game stretch where the Gators could realistically win each of those contests. If they do, they'll have captured the Class 3A-District 13 trophy in Jones' second season.

Schedule: Aug. 23 at Port Charlotte; Aug 30 vs. Evangelical Christian; Sept. 6 vs. Dunbar; Sept. 13 vs. Cape Coral; Sept. 20 vs. Mariner; Sept. 27 at Lemon Bay; Oct. 4 at Charlotte; Oct. 11 at Cypress Lake; Oct. 25 vs. Estero; Nov. 1 at Ida Baker

Class 3A-District 14

Aubrey Rogers Football

Coach: J.J. Everage (second season)

Last season: 2-8, no playoffs (played as FHSAA Independent in 2023)

Overview: The Patriots have completed their inaugural season as a program, and now sit in a new district composed of Barron Collier, Lely, and Bonita Springs in Class 3A-District 14. With a full season now under a lot of first-year players’ belts, the focus has shifted from learning the game to learning how to win. Last year, Aubrey Rogers didn’t have any Collier County schools on the schedule. This year, they’ll play six. “The strength of schedule kind of goes up for us this year,” Everage said. “If these guys just start believing in themselves and each other, I really believe we can make some noise, maybe be right there knocking on the door of a district championship by the end of the year… Obviously we only won two games last year so anything above that is a successful year. But every game matters now. The only guarantee to get into the playoffs is to win the district. And I know that after your inaugural season that’s a lofty goal, but you’ve got to have goals. And if we can’t do that we hope to be one of those eight teams that makes the playoffs.” At the forefront of these new expectations is Caden Diloreto, a rising sophomore quarterback that split snaps with Dominic Ardezzone (who transferred to Fort Myers) last season. He’ll have the reins of the offense this year after completing 35-of-97 passes for 482 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. Just as important to the offense is rising sophomore wideout Romeo Sararo, who led the team in total offensive production last year with 450 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 38 catches. On the other side of the ball, last year’s leading tackler in Holten Hoverson (85 TOT, 4.0 TFL) returns for his junior campaign.

Season outlook: The Patriots’ strength of schedule increased significantly this year, but so did the program’s experience and strength. They have some tough road matchups (at Barron Collier and Gulf Coast) but also have a home schedule that sets the stage for an improvement in this season’s win column. “But as far as wins and losses, I think if we are not above .500 on the season that is not a successful season in my eyes,” Everage said. “I don’t know how these guys feel about that. But I’m a competitor, I want to win the district.”

Schedule: Aug. 30 vs. Estero; Sept. 6 at Marathon; Sept. 13 at Palmetto Ridge; Sept. 20 at Gulf Coast; Sept. 27 vs. Bonita Springs; Oct. 4 vs. Florida Christian; Oct. 10 at Lely; Oct. 18 vs. Immokalee; Oct. 25 at Barron Collier; Nov. 1 vs. Southeast

Barron Collier Football

Coach: Mark Jackson (10th season)

Last season: 8-3, made playoffs (lost to Port Charlotte in Class 3S-Region 4 quarterfinal)

Overview: The Cougars have no reason to not compete this year in Class 3A-District 14, especially with Naples and Golden Gate no longer in the district. It could be the program's first district title under coach Mark Jackson, which would be quite a fitting present considering he's celebrating his 10th season with the program this cycle. The Cougars have the pieces to win it offensively, spearheaded by quarterback Niko Boyce (1,908 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INT; 629 rushing yards, 11 TDs), Brody Graham (48 rec, 830 yards, 11 TDs), Caden Hudson (40 rec, 482 yards, 5 TDs), and BJ Williams (15 rec, 222 yards, TD). With the entirety of the offensive line also returning for the Cougars, it's conceivable this team will average more than the 31.6 points per game it did last year. And it might have to, considering the cupboard being bare on the defensive side. Defensive back Kevin Caidor is the team's leading returning tackler from last year, posting 27 tackles. Following him is Liam Goes, who had 15 tackles. "You're going to see some young guys back there," Jackson said. "We'll play guys back there as needed... Our linebackers and DBs will be a work in progress throughout the year. But if it means putting Niko or one of these guys on defense for a playoff spot, let's play."

Season outlook: Barron will get a handful of tests right away, starting with Immokalee and Naples before CSN comes to Cougar Stadium on Sept. 13. With the first half of the season considerably tougher than the second half, Jackson's team should be in position for a more favorable second half. Their game against Lely, which in essence should be the Class 3A-District 14 title game, will be critical, as the program will have two weeks to prepare for that game at home while Lely will be coming off a tough game against Gulliver Prep.

Schedule: Aug. 23 vs. Immokalee; Aug. 30 at Naples; Sept. 6 vs. South Fort Myers; Sept. 13 vs. Community School; Sept. 27 vs. Lely; Oct. 4 vs. Gulf Coast; Oct. 10 at Bonita Springs; Oct. 18 at Golden Gate; Oct. 25 vs. Aubrey Rogers; Nov. 1 at Kathleen

Bonita Springs Football

Coach: Kyle Shafer (first season)

Last season: 1-9, missed playoffs

Overview: The Bull Sharks have had a tough two-year stretch, going 3-17 while posting a point differential of minus-395 dating back to the start of the 2022 season. Despite that though, the team is determined to find light at the end of the tunnel. Enter Kyle Shafer, who is set to succeed Rich Dombroski as the program's second head coach. "The vibe is there every day," Shafer said of practices. "The energy is there. These kids want to work." Returning offensively is Chase Garcia, who finished with 500 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns last season spelling Riley Deremer. Defensively, Conrad Chowen returns after leading the unit with 70 tackles, as does Gonzalo Alonso, who led the team with 5 sacks. Roman Gilberti, who was key with 46 tackles and 3 TFLs, also is back on the defensive side, giving Shafer some stability. The program did lose offensive lineman Joshua Loizon, who had a cup of coffee at St. John Neumann before transferring to Community School.

Season outlook: The Bull Sharks have a schedule this year that is relatively easier on the front end compared to the back, giving the team the chance to build momentum. That starts in the Cape against Ida Baker on Friday, as Bonita aims to start 1-0. Bonita is 1-4 all-time in season openers, with the lone win coming on the road against Island Coast in 2022. While this team is still a work in progress, it'll be worth monitoring whether or not Shafer can change the perception and culture within a program that's been underlooked for each of the past two seasons.

Schedule: Aug. 23 at Ida Baker; Aug. 30 vs. Mariner; Sept. 6 vs. Cape Coral; Sept. 13 at North Port; Sept. 20 vs. Palmetto Ridge; Sept. 27 at Aubrey Rogers; Oct. 4 at Gateway; Oct. 10 vs. Barron Collier; Oct. 25 at Lely; Nov. 1 vs. Estero

Lely

Coach: Ben Hammer (second season)

Last season: 5-5, missed playoffs

Overview: Considering the bar was high when Ben Hammer coached in Illinois at Rock Island, he expected no different in Southwest Florida with Lely. In the first year, his Trojans struggled and finished 5-5 after starting 4-2. Losses to Naples, Barron Collier, and Golden Gate deflated any momentum the program would be looking for entering his second season, along with a playoff berth that slowly evaporated week-to-week. This year, Lely went to work in the weight room and is amped up to begin the season. The losses of Jayce Cora and Jayvian Tanelus to Community School have only motivated this team further, as it looks to capture a district title for the first time in a decade. "I'm looking forward to lining up and playing against other teams," Hammer said. "That's the funnest part, and that's why you do it. We're not a big rear-view team or program. We don't talk about last year. I will credit last year's seniors with laying the foundation for the culture we're trying to build. We're not there yet, but we're going to continue to work 100 percent every single day." Carter Quinn looked impressive at quarterback, completing 11 of 13 passes for 290 yards and three scores, adding a 20-yard rush as well. With Quinn in the backfield alongside 1,100-yard rusher Nino Joseph, those two have a chance to keep opponents off balance in an offensive playbook that can incorporate the read option more often than not.

Season outlook: The Trojans are fired up for the season and will be put to the test right away against a Booker squad that knocked off Bishop Verot and went to the Final Four last season. From there, Lely's schedule has a challenge sprinkled in here and there, which should ultimately build them to the Coconut Bowl and their contest against Naples. It'll be a revenge game for Quinn, who opted to leave Naples in the offseason to play for Hammer and Lely.

Schedule: Aug. 23 at Booker; Aug. 30 vs. Golden Gate; Sept. 6 at Gulf Coast; Sept. 20 vs. Gulliver Prep; Sept. 27 at Barron Collier; Oct. 4 at Immokalee; Oct. 10 vs. Aubrey Rogers; Oct. 18 at Naples; Oct. 25 vs. Bonita Springs; Nov. 1 vs. South Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: SW FL Football previews: Barron Collier, Lely, Estero, Island Coast, Aubrey Rogers, Bonita