Early turnovers did in the North Fort Myers Red Knights Friday night at Moody Field in a homecoming loss to the North Port Bobcats 28-7.

On the second play of the game Red Knight quarterback Zane LaPaugh rolled out and threw a pass that slipped out of his receiver’s hands and into the hands of Bobcat defensive back Brandon Engell, who returned it to midfield.

North Port was not able to take advantage of the good field position, failing to convert on fourth down when LaPaugh broke through the line and brought down the runningback for a loss.

North’s offense quickly crossed into the North Port side of the field, but an interception by Dovonte Bailey ended the scoring threat.

“I needed to read the defense better,” said LaPaugh. “I was just focused on gaining yards and moving the chains after that.”

The Bobcats made the Red Knights pay for their second turnover, moving the ball 80 yards in seven plays, including a 40-yard touchdown run by quarterback Paul Balcomb on an option keeper.

Turnovers continued to haunt the Knights as they fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, giving the Bobcats the ball inside the 10-yard line. Bailey then took a toss from Balcomb, and found his way into the end zone for the score.

After North’s offense was forced into a three-and-out, North Port had the ball again and looking to increase their lead in the second quarter.

LaPaugh and the Red Knight defense forced the Bobcats into a fourth-and-long, and a bad snap led to a short punt and gave the Knights the ball at the Bobcat 30.

After another dropped pass and a botched pitch, the Knights faced a fourth-and-12 just outside of field goal range. LaPaugh took the snap, surveyed the defense and lofted the ball over a defender to Bobby Harper for the score, getting the Knights on the board.

A fumble recovery by Deovanti Hopewell gave the Knights the ball back and a chance to tie the game before the half, but a lengthy drive stalled when a sneak by LaPaugh failed to convert on fourth down.

The Bobcats attempted a field goal on the last play of the half, but it was blocked by Arthur Green, who a few minutes later was crowned homecoming king.

North Port opened the second half by marching the ball down the field, finishing it off with another nine-yard run by Bailey.

North tried a few trick plays on their next drive, with a successful fake punt by Evan Sargent getting North past midfield, but a pass was then intercepted by North Port.

A 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Bailey was the final score of the night for the Bobcats.

“Our guys fought to the very end, like North Red Knights do. We just didn’t make plays in crucial moments when North Port did,” said Red Knights coach Barry Goettemoeller.

North (3-4) takes on the Mariner Tritons (1-5) next week in a District 3A-11 matchup at Moody Field.

North Port 14 0 7 7 – 28

North FM 0 7 0 0 – 7

First Quarter

NP – Paul Balcomb 40 run (run failed)

NP – Dovonte Bailey 9 run (kick)

Second Quarter

NFM – Bobby Harper 32 pass from Zane LaPaugh (Evan Sargent kick)

Third Quarter

NP – Bailey 9 run (Gaston Orsetti kick)

Fourth Quarter

NP – Bailey 47 run (Orsetti kick).