The Mariner Tritons and Island Coast Gators both lost their opening district games last week, presenting an uphill climb when they resume that portion of their schedule.

As the Gators (1-3) host the Tritons (0-4) Friday night in the first-ever meeting between the Cape schools, the district standings and any playoff implications will be the farthest thing from their minds.

Both teams are in desperate need of a win as the high school football season reaches the midway point.

The Tritons opened District 3A-11 play last Thursday with a 35-2 loss to Riverdale, while the Gators led for most of their District 2B-6 opener at Clewiston, before succumbing to a late rally by the Tigers.

In other action Friday, the Ida Baker Bulldogs put their 4-0 record on the line as they host North Port. It’s the best start in the five-year history of the program, and the Bulldogs want to stay sharp heading into their pivotal District 4A-11 opener against Gulf Coast on Oct. 9.

North Fort Myers (1-3) comes off a 12-7 hard-fought loss to Fort Myers and entertain Estero (1-3) at Moody Field, while Bishop Verot (2-2) hosts Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

Cape Coral High (4-0) has a bye this week before opening its 4A-11 slate against Palmetto Ridge on homecoming night.

The Tritons faced a challenging September schedule, which included three playoff teams from a year ago – Cape Coral, Charlotte and Riverdale. Perhaps, the most disappointing loss was the 28-21 setback at North Port in which turnovers played a huge factor in the outcome.

In the loss to Riverdale, the Tritons struggled to establish a running game and attempted only nine passes, which resulted in zero completions.

That sets the stage for what figures to be a ball-control style game against the Gators, who kept it on the ground with great success against Clewiston, finishing with more than 400 yards rushing.

The Gators led 21-7 at halftime and 28-19 midway through the fourth quarter before Clewiston pulled off a late comeback.

North Port (1-3) at Ida Baker (4-0): A more significant game for Ida Baker takes place Oct. 9 when the Bulldogs host Gulf Coast. Though it’s the district opener, it should carry serious playoff implications for the Bulldogs who are hungry for their first playoff appearance.

For now the Bulldogs want to remain focused on this week’s opponent, North Port.

“They’re focused,” Baker coach Brian Conn said of his players. “One of their goals is to make the playoffs, but they have other goals to win, and we’ve really been focused on beating North Port this week.”

The Bulldogs’ defense continues to be a strength. They allowed their first touchdown last Friday in a 37-8 win over Lakewood Ranch, but have only surrendered 11 points through four games.

The Bobcats’ lone victory came against Mariner in Week 2, but Conn said they run a multiple offense that poses a threat.

“They’ve played a pretty tough schedule. They’re much better than a 1-3 team,” Conn said.

Estero (1-3) at North Fort Myers (1-3): The Knights only found the end zone once in a 12-7 loss to Fort Myers in a game that started Friday and concluded Saturday, due to stormy weather.

Senior quarterback Nathan McIntosh converted some key fourth-down situations, but the offense must find a way to be more productive in the remaining district games for the Knights to have a shot at claiming a playoff spot. The Knights hope they can get their offense in gear against Estero.

After dropping 22 consecutive games, Estero showed some promise in a 44-22 victory over St. John Neumann and a 56-35 loss to Lemon Bay, but the Wildcats then were hammered by Palmetto Ridge, 51-8, last Friday.

Cardinal Mooney (2-2) at Bishop Verot (2-2): The Vikings faced a difficult task last Thursday and were unable to slow down South Fort Myers and its explosive offense, led by quarterback Dallas Crawford.

The Vikings surrendered 254 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 35-7 loss.

After dipping to 0-1 in District 3A-11, the Vikings host Sarasota Cardinal Mooney Friday in a nondistrict clash.

Mooney won 26-20 in last year’s finale against the Vikings.