Thursday night’s game started off with opportunities for the Mariner Tritons at Tony McKenna Field. Those opportunities were ripped away by the tough and talented Charlotte Tarpons, led by quarterback Kyle Midgett and running back Mike Bellamy, who accounted for all the scores in their 49-7 romp.

“They are the real deal,” Mariner coach Chad O’Brien said. “They are well ranked (No. 4) and deserve it. We just have to take what’s good and fix what’s bad.”

The first quarter started with promise as Mariner senior Mario Perone picked off Midgett in Charlotte territory. A three-and-out followed, with a penalty on the return pinning the Tarpons inside their own 10-yard line.

Bellamy bailed out the cornered offense with a 92-yard touchdown run for the first score of the night. Bellamy added two more scores and rushed for more than 200 yards.

Midgett also found the end zone in the first quarter, a 38-yard pass to senior Joey Degaeta, one of his four touchdowns on the night. Charlotte led 21-0 after the first quarter and had Mariner on its heels.

The big play of the second quarter came on Charlotte’s first drive. After converting on third-and-long, the Tarpons nearly converted another, leaving them with fourth-and-inches at the Mariner 32.

Midgett handed the ball to Bellamy, who got the first down, but then had the ball wrestled away by Tritons senior Jesus Mendoza, who rumbled down to the Charlotte 34.

The Tritons offense took the ball all the way to the goal line, leaving them four chances to get back in the game. The Tarpon defense made a big stand, denying the Tritons of the end zone.

The Tarpons then made the Tritons pay, marching the ball 98 yards in four plays, pushing the score to 28-0 at the half.

The second half started with a bang for the Tritons, as senior and Ole Miss commit Eric Mitchell streaked down the sidelines for a 67-yard touchdown, and the lone score for the Tritons.

The Tarpons responded again, like they did after most of the Tritons’ big plays, with a quick score of their own. It was another one of Midgett’s touchdown passes, this one to senior Alex Mutt.

One of the bright spots for the Tritons was the hustle and determination of two seniors on defense – Colt Masters and Andrew Dukas.

Masters and Dukas combined for 11 tackles, most of which were touchdown-savings tackles.

Mariner squandered two more scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter.

Mitchell’s 69-yard run got the Tritons to the 5-yard line, but an interception crushed the Tritons’ hopes.

A fumble recovery by senior Michael Swearingen gave the Tritons one last try, with less than two minutes to play. A failed fourth-down conversion was the end for the Tritons.

The Tritons (0-3) host Riverdale next Friday night at Tony McKenna Field.