Island Coast seemed to be hitting on all cylinders Friday night as the Gators defeating the Bishop Verot Vikings 55-0 on Homecoming night.
The first half saw the Gators' offensive juggernaut jump out to a five-touchdown lead. The scoring started when quarterback Kurt Benkert hit T.J. Johnson for a 17-yard TD catch, the first of his five scoring passes on the night.
After a Gators fumble recovery gave them possession at their own 38, they moved the ball at will. Johnson deftly turned a short pass into a 47yard TD.
Following a Viking punt, a steady dose of Devon Calhoun runs resulted in the ball crossing into Verot territory. Benkert found Christian Diaz on a 19-yard play, putting the ball on the Verot 11-yard line where Calhoun ran it in for a TD and a 21-0 Gators lead.
After recovering a fumbled kickoff, Benkert hit J.D. Irons for a 19-yard pass, then Calhoun ran the ball the rest of the way from the 16-yard line, giving the Gators a four-TD lead.
After Verot turned it over on downs at their own 20, Benkert passed to Nicholas Ghigliotty for a 20-yard TD strike for a 35-0 lead.
A Viking drive into Gator territory was rejected when Nicholas Guffey intercepted a pass at the Gator 20 before the half.
The second half was a continuation of Gator dominance. On the first play from scrimmage, Island Coast extended its lead to 42-0 on a 57-yard run by Irons.
The Gator defense forced another turnover, and Benkert hit Zelan Lambert for a 28-yard gain. Two plays later, Benkert hit James Washington in the end zone to make it a 48-0 Gator lead.
The Gator defense gave the offense great field position once again. Consecutive completions to Ghigliotty moved the ball deep into Viking territory. Benkert completed a 18-yard TD pass to Washington resulting in a 55-0 advantage.
The Gators defense repelled the Vikings' only drive into their territory in the fourth quarter for a turnover on downs. The Gators chewed up the clock for the remainder of the quarter to preserve the victory.
The Gators (5-1, 4-0 district) plays district leading South Fort Myers next Friday night.
Bishop Verot 0 0 0 0 - 0
Island Coast 14 21 13 13 - 55
IC - TJ Johnson 16 pass from Kurt Benkert (Kevin Vigne kick)
IC - Johnson 47 pass from Benkert (Vigne kick)
IC - Devon Calhoun 8 run (Vigne kick)
IC - Calhoun 28 run (Vigne kick)
IC - Nicholas Ghigliotty 20 pass from Benkert (Vigne kick)
IC - JD Irons 57 run (Vigne kick)
IC - James Washington 31 pass from Benkert (Vigne kick)
IC - Washington 17 pass from Benkert (Vigne kick)
