Week 1 football notes: Mariner defense pounds Estero; Riverdale's best; Sommer and Sirianni nights

The home runs on offense were endless. But a huge key to Mariner beating Estero so completely Monday night 47-12 decision came early from the Tritons’ defense.

On third-and-9 from the Estero 35 on the Wildcats’ opening possession, Mariner got heavy pressure on strong-armed Wildcats quarterback Tanner Elliott, who was hit by two defenders as he threw.

After the ball fluttered incomplete, Elliott left the field holding his right, throwing arm – checking either his elbow or shoulder.

He stayed in the game and went 5-for-16 for 101 yards and a touchdown. But he was sacked twice – by Alonzo Richardson and Ericson Noel – and never found any rhythm while facing consistent pressure.

Readers' Choice Game of the Week:Rashawn Hunter stars as Mariner overwhelms Estero

With only one first down on its first four drives, Estero’s offense wasn’t able to keep its defense from having to quickly return to the field, where it was carved up just as rapidly.

“We knew if we could get some pressure on him that it would help us out a lot,” said Mariner coach Travis Smith. “We took our chances, and we gave pressure. It worked out.”

Smith also praised senior Justyn Cordones and “our interior linemen.”

“Defense played outstanding,” he said. “Our whole front line just did an outstanding job keeping hands on people and doing what I asked them to do. They did awesome.”

Monday:Riverdale, Cypress Lake roll to victories in delayed openers

Elliott’s 15-yard touchdown came on a throw that went through the hands of one defender and bounced off the pads of another to an Estero receiver with the score already 34-0.

He didn’t return in the second half with Estero trailing 47-6 and was limping after the game. Numerous other Estero players limped or were helped off during the game.

“It was precautionary,” said Estero coach Darren Nelson, who played junior Jack Zigler in the abbreviated second half. “The reality of the situation is we just got our butts kicked, it’s a long season, let’s give an opportunity for (Zigler). He (Elliott) is fine.”

Sommer, Sirianni nights

Two Lee County schools will honor late program legends Friday night.

Estero will hold Coach Sommer night against Cape Coral in remembrance of the school’s longtime cross country and track coach and athletic director Jeff Sommer. Sommer died while coaching Estero at the state track championships in 2015.

Game attendees are asked to wear orange in his honor. A pregame ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at Jeff Sommer Stadium before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Fort Myers will celebrate Sam Sirianni night Friday while facing North Fort Myers at 7:30 at Edison Stadium. The coach led Fort Myers for 33 years before passing away from bladder cancer in 2002.

Students are being asked to be "Extreme Green," cloaking themselves in green apparel, face paint, beads and spirit towels. Sam Sirianni Jr. has coached the team since his father's death.

Vote:For The News-Press High School Football Game of the Week for Aug. 31

Short rest

Friday night’s Week 1 postponements until Monday mirrored the pattern last season, when a number of teams also had short preparation going into their second games.

South Fort Myers and Cape Coral, for instance, saw their opener last year postponed from Friday until the following Tuesday because of multiple rainouts.

Cape won 17-2 but lost only three days later to Estero, 14-9. South also lost three days later, 32-6, to Port Charlotte.

Eleven Lee County teams are on short rest for games this Friday after playing Monday.

Five are coming off wins (Riverdale, Cypress Lake, Mariner, LaBelle, Oasis) and six are coming off losses (North Fort Myers, Estero, Island Coast, Canterbury, SFCA, Gateway).

More:Vote for the first News-Press Athlete of the Week for Aug. 20-25

Top dog

Riverdale coach James Delgado said junior linebacker and running back Adarian Robinson "could be the best football player on the field on any given night" during preseason workouts.

He didn’t disappoint in Monday’s 21-7 win over North Fort Myers, recording 2.5 sacks, recovering a crucial fumble in the third quarter and scoring the game’s opening touchdown.

Robinson was on crutches after the game but said, “I’m fine. Everything is fine.”

Riverdale (1-0) goes to Palmetto Ridge (0-0) Friday coming off the statement win.

“We just came ready to work,” he said. “We just need to come with the intensity, be humble and get after it.”

Pay attention

After burning two timeouts on one drive in the third quarter, South Fort Myers had none left while facing confusion lining up for the potential game-winning two-point conversion after a Freddie Ward touchdown with 1:01 left in Saturday’s 26-25 loss at Cape Coral.

Roundup:Cape wins, Dunbar loses Saturday; Fort Myers, Ida Baker win on Friday

With its starting kicker hurt and down to its fourth holder because of injuries and other changes, South took a delay-of-game penalty, then missed the extra point.

“It’s hard to be prepared for that situation. You’d like to have a timeout available,” said South coach Brian Conn.

“When you’ve got to blow them on having 10 (players) on a punt or other situations, having incorrect personnel, things that you go over all week, maybe they don’t take it as serious as they should. And you get out here on Friday and you see how important it is.”

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