Even though the Mariner Tritons have won just one of six games this season, don’t count them out of the District 3A-11 playoff picture just yet.

They still have three district games left to play, all in the next three weeks, including undefeated South Fort Myers, Fort Myers and Friday’s opponent – North Fort Myers.

“If we can win out, and that’s a big IF,” said Mariner coach Chris Siner, “we can control our own destiny. We only have one district loss. If we win out it will mean the playoffs for us.”

The Tritons (1-5, 1-1 district) are tied for third in the district with the Red Knights (3-4, 1-1). South Fort Myers and Riverdale are tied atop the district standings at 2-0, but play each other on Oct. 29. A loss puts either team out of the picture.

“We are putting all our focus on us,” said North coach Barry Goettemoeller. “We have to get back on track. We are looking for only this one win. The rest of our schedule does not matter if we don’t take care of business (against Mariner).”

The Tritons are at least feeling better about themselves after notching their first win of the season in their sixth try. They knocked off district rival Bishop Verot 24-20, then had their bye week last week.

“The first win is always special,” said Siner. “The kids now see we can win if they play hard enough. The week off helped us get healthy, but might hurt us just by not having a game. At any rate, we are ready to go.”

The Tritons face another team with a size advantage and one that has enjoyed moderate success running the football.

“Our defense must stop the run,” said Siner. “They pound the football and slow the game down. On offense, we must not turn the ball over and take our shots in the passing game when we can.”

The Red Knights are coming off a 28-7 loss to North Port last Friday. So far this season, they have followed up a loss with a victory.

“We have to play with enthusiasm and emotion and take care of the football on offense,” said Goettemoeller. “And we have to play fast, physical defense. Our defense has played well all year and the kids took it personal that we gave up a lot of yards last week.”

The Red Knights also have the friendly confines of Moody Field on their side.

“The kids are comfortable playing here and we have great fans and great school support,” said Goettemoeller.

Gulf Coast Sharks (2-4, 1-0) at Cape Coral Seahawks (5-1, 1-0): Cape Coral can clinch both a playoff berth and the District 4A-12 championship Friday night with a victory over Gulf Coast at Dave Warkentin Field.

“We’re still trying to get healthy,” said Seahawks coach Brad Metheny.

The Seahawks are coming off their first loss of the season, a tough one to handle considering they had the ball inside the 25-yard line three times and came away with just three points, and had a touchdown on a punt return nullified because of a penalty.

“We had a lot of opportunities, but we learned some things,” Metheny said. “We must capitalize on those opportunities against Gulf Coast.”

A win over Gulf Coast leaves the Seahawks with one district game against city rival and winless Ida Baker.

Palmetto Ridge Bears (1-5, 0-1) at Ida Baker Bulldogs (0-7, 0-1): Winless Baker takes on Palmetto Ridge in what arguably could be the only winable game left on the schedule.

The Bulldogs finish out the season against city rivals Cape Coral and Mariner.

Dunbar Tigers (2-4, 2-0) at Island Coast Gators (6-1, 2-0): Island Coast looks to cement its place atop the District 2B-6 standings by knocking off the Tigers, who go into the game tied with the Gators at 2-0.

A win over Dunbar only leaves district games with winless LaBelle and Gateway Charter en route to the Gators’ goal to win back-to-back titles and postseason appearances.

In other district games: Riverdale (3-3, 2-0) invades Bishop Verot (4-2, 0-2) in a key District 3A-11 matchup, South Fort Myers (6-0, 2-0) hosts Fort Myers (3-4, 0-2), Cypress Lake (1-5, 0-3) travels to Lely (2-5, 1-3), Golden Gate (5-2, 1-2) heads to East Lee County (3-3, 2-2), Gateway Charter (0-6, 0-2) hosts LaBelle (0-6, 0-2), Estero (4-3, 1-0) visits Hardee County (3-3, 0-1), Evangelical Christian (5-1, 3-0) travels to St. Stephen’s Episcopal (1-5, 1-3), and Southwest Florida Christian (1-4, 0-4) takes on Out-of-Door Academy (3-2, 2-1).

Cape Coral Christian 63, Cornerstone Christian 42: The Cape Christian Crusaders defeated Cornerstone Christian Friday night to win the New School State Championship of the Florida Christian Association of Private & Parochial Schools (FCAPPS).

The win sends the Crusaders on to the larger six-man football championship playoffs. They are seeded 14th in the tournament, and play in Clearwater Friday night against No. 3 seed Clearwater Christian.

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