Island Coast defensive lineman Aaron Lynch (19) sheds a block and seeks out the Lakewood Ranch ball carrier Friday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com. Photo by Michael Pistella

As an underdog most of last season the Island Coast Gators used a tough and physical defense to claim the District 2B-6 championship in their first full varsity season. That defense was showcased Friday night when the Gators triumphed over the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs at Gator Field 35-14.

The motor that keeps that defense rolling is its defensive line, a line headlined by one of the best players in Lee County, defensive end Aaron Lynch, who recorded 15 sacks last season and wasted little time getting to the quarterback Friday.

Lynch was busy in the backfield, assisting on several tackles for loss and putting several vicious hits on the Mustangs’ quarterback. One of those hits took place in the first quarter with Island Coast leading 14-0, and the Mustangs backed up to their own end zone. Lynch ripped through the line and flung the quarterback to the ground, shooting the ball across the end zone where it was quickly recovered by Gators end James Stewart for a touchdown.

Lynch is not the only playmaker on the defensive line. Stewart and the Bosworth twins – Scott and Brian – all combined for 11 tackles for loss and six sacks. All four linemen either have received or are expected to receive Division I scholarship offers.

Leading tackler Willie Flemming returns for the Gators, and had eight tackles and two deflections against the Mustangs.

“The defense played fairly well,” said Island Coast coach Joe Bowen. “They made a lot of plays tonight and continue to get better.”

The Gator offense was not going to be outshined by the defense. Newcomer Delmarick Pender stole the show on the first play. Pender took the toss going right, hit the hole and was gone 70 yards untouched to give the Gators a 7-0 lead. On the second possession Pender took a handoff going right, used a hard cutback move to elude a defender and ran back across the field for the 54 yard score. Pender finished with 116 yards on five carries.

The Gators’ leading rusher and passer from last season, quarterback Michael Dumas, played sparingly throughout the game, only threw three passes and made all of them count. Dumas’ first throw was a 37-yard strike to Pender down the middle, then had a pass slip through a receiver’s hand in the end zone. Dumas did not throw another pass till the fourth quarter, when he faked a handoff, rolled right and found Josh Guffey falling into the end zone to make the score 28-7.

The last score for the Gators came from Gerson Zamor, who powered over from five yards out.

“Our offense executed well,” Bowen said, “we just have to work on not fumbling the ball and we will continue to work on it.”

Lakewood Ranch 0 7 0 7 – 14

Island Coast 21 0 0 14 – 35

First Quarter

IC – Demarick Pender 70 run (Kyle Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Pender 54 run (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – James Stewart fumble recovery in end zone (Fitzgerald kick)

Second Quarter

LR – Lindsey 4 pass (kick)

Fourth Quarter

IC – Josy Guffey 39 pass from Michael Dumas (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Gerson Zamar 5 run (Fitzgerald kick)

LR – Lewellan 19 pass from Reda (kick)