MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner quarterback J.T. Etnoyer (12) throw on the run in the third quarter with Island Coast defensive end Jimmy Stewart (2) bearing down on him Friday night. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Led by runningback Mario Pender, the Island Coast Gators breezed to a 61-0 victory over the Mariner Tritons Friday night at Tony McKenna Field.

Fans were barely in their seats when Gators quarterback Nelson Candelario took the first snap of the game and raced 40 yards for a touchdown. It was a harbinger of things to come. Five times on the night the Gators took only one play from scrimmage to score a touchdown, and a sixth score came on the second play from scrimmage.

Pender had four touchdowns himself, on runs of 38, 55, 69, and 52 yards, respectfully. Each time he seemed to be able to get outside of the Tritons containment, and then simply turn up the speed to outrun the defensive backs to the end zone. He carried the ball only eight times, but racked up 224 yards. One of those runs was a 25-yard loss when he picked up a fumbled pitch and tried to make something happen, but was swarmed by the Tritons.

“I always try to make something out of nothing.” Pender said.

Most of the night it was Pender making big somethings out of nothing.

“The coach just tries to get the ball in my hands,” Pender said. “I run hard, and when I get going I’m hard to stop.”

The Gators ran the ball a total of 24 times for 351 yards. Island Coast coach Joe Bowen was quick to praise Pender, but also his offensive line and defense. The Gators defense held the Tritons to just 30 yards rushing and 19 passing.

“We have been working on a passing game,” Bowen said. “We’re known as a run-oriented team, but we wanted to open up the pass.”

Island Coast connected on 2-of-4 passes for 70 yards.

Understandably, Mariner coach Chris Siner was disappointed in his team’s performance.

“We came out on the field calm before the game, but after that first big play we were intimidated,” he said. “They simply outplayed us. They have four big guys on their defensive line that made it tough for us. This was a definite setback.

“For as long as Island Coast has been around, they are a good team. I wish them nothing but the best,” Siner added.

The Tritons (0-5) host Bishop Verot next Friday at Tony McKenna Field.

“Next week we start district play,” said Siner. “These are must-win games. We have to set our focus on Bishop Verot. I believe the rest of our schedule we can compete.”

Island Coast (4-1) travels to Lake Placid for a nondistrict game next Friday.

Island Coast 13 27 14 7 – 61

Mariner 0 0 0 0 – 0

First Quarter

IC – Nelson Candelario 40 run (kick failed)

IC – Mario Pender 38 run (Kyle Fitzgerald kick)

Second Quarter

IC – Phillip Woolbright 20 run (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Louis King 2 run (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Pender 55 run (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Pender 69 run (kick blocked)

Third Quarter

IC – Pender 52 run (Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Michael Dumas 40 run (Fitzgerald kick)

Fourth Quarter

IC – Torreon Madison 6 run (Fitzgerald kick)