When American Heritage made the trip across Alligator Alley, a rock fight was probably not what they were expecting.
But it was a rock fight that Naples gave them, and the Patriots (2-2) still handed the Golden Eagles (3-1) their first loss of the year 23-3.
To foreshadow what was to come, the squads started the game with three-and-outs. Towards the end of the opening frame, Patriots four-star running back Byron Louis dropped a pitch, and Naples’ Tariq Arbyummi recovered the fumble.
The Golden Eagles marched down the field, but the Patriot defense made a red-zone stand and forced a Dariece Collins 21-yard field goal. It would be the only time Naples led, and the only time they capitalized on a turnover in the loss.
One minute later, Andre Ferdinand picked off Texas commit Dia Bell in the end zone, but nothing came of it.
In the second quarter, Bell responded with a 50-yard strike to Coi Jean-Noel, who was brought down at the 1-yard line. Louis cleaned it up on the following play with a 1-yard touchdown carry.