In a rematch of last year’s opening playoff game, the Island Coast Gators took on the Lake Highland Prep Highlanders Friday night in the Region 2B-3 finals, looking to avenge last year’s loss.

The Gators did just that, in dominant fashion, chalking up a 42-21 victory at Gator Stadium.

The Gators received the opening kickoff and with some physical running by fullback Louis King, quickly moved into the red zone. Quarterback Nelson Candelario ran an option left then tossed the ball to running back Mario Pender who tip-toed up the sideline and hopped into the end zone to give the Gators the early lead.

The Highlanders tried to answer quickly using their passing game, but two incompletions put them into a third down at their own 23-yard line. Highlander quarterback Evan Jager attempted a screen pass, but Gator defensive end Jimmy Stewart intercepted it and returned it 22 yards for the touchdown.

“We prepared for it all week in practice, but I didn’t expect to get an interception and a touchdown out of it,” said Stewart.

The extra-point was blocked, leaving the Gators up 13-0 less than three minutes into the game.

The Highlanders responded by going to their wildcat formation, bringing in freshman Joel Berry to take snaps at quarterback. The change sparked the Highlanders, leading to a 12-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a seven-yard scoring run by Berry.

The Gators pushed the lead back to a two score advantage on the second play of the second quarter.

Pender took a toss going left, ripped through an attempted tackle and sprinted 50 yards to the end zone.

After the teams traded punts, the Highlander offense started to gain momentum and moved into Gator territory late in the second quarter. The Highlanders then went to a trick play, a reverse pass that was completed inside the Gator 10-yard line. However, while fighting for extra yards, the receiver was stripped of the ball by Candelario, ending the scoring threat.

Several plays later Pender took a toss and ran 63 yards before he was tripped up at the 8-yard line. Willie Flemming powered it in one play later, and the Gators led 28-7 at halftime.

The Highlanders received the kickoff to start the third quarter, but were forced into a three-and-out. The Gators fumbled on their first play, giving the Highlanders a chance to get back into the game, but the Gator defense held and forced kicker Michael Rasmussen into missing a 45-yard field goal attempt.

Candelario made up for a fumble earlier in the quarter with a 79-yard TD run the first play after the missed field goal.

“Nelson is our wild card,” said Gators coach Joe Bowen. “When we need him he steps up.”

Candelario added a 30-yard touchdown run for the final score of the night for the Gators.

“We came out hungry this week, and we need to come out even hungrier next week,” said Bowen

The Gators (11-1) host Fort Lauderdale University School, a 28-6 winner over Monsignor Pace, in the state Class 2B semifinals next Friday.

Lake Highland 7 0 7 7 – 21

Island Coast 13 15 14 0 – 42

First Quarter

IC – Mario Pender 13 run (Kyle Fitzgerald kick)

IC – Jimmy Stewart 22 interception return (kick blocked)

LHP – Joel Berry 7 run (Michael Rasmussen kick)

Second Quarter

IC – Pender 50 run (Nelson Candelario run)

IC – Willie Flemming 8 run (Fitzgerald kick)

Third Quarter

IC – Candelario 79 run (Fitzgerald kick)

LHP – Hayden Jones 75 pass from Evan Jager (Rasmussen kick)

IC – Candelario 30 run (Fitzgerald kick)

Fourth Quarter

LHP – Tyler Law 31 run (Rasmussen kick)