While both teams came in with 1-1 records, the Tritons found themselves overmatched, as the Gators rolled to a 41-0 victory Friday night at Tony McKenna Field.

Island Coast kicked off and forced Mariner into a quick three-and-out. Gators star runningback Mario Pender then took a toss left, cut back to the right and raced 46 yards for the game’s first score.

Another three-and-out for the Tritons put the ball back in Island Coast hands. Three straight carries by Pender took the Gators inside the Mariner 20-yard line. The Tritons forced a third-and-14 with Pender being used as a diversion to catch the defense off guard. Pender took a toss right and appeared to be running the ball, but pulled up and lobbed a pass to teammate T.J. Johnson for the touchdown.

The Tritons punted the ball away for the third time. A 44-yard run by fullback Louis King set up a 10-yard touchdown run by fullback Willie Fleming gave the Gators a 21-0 lead.

The second quarter appeared to be more of the same starting with a Tritons punt. The Gators got the ball at the Triton 40. Two plays later, the Tritons caught a break, as the Gators fumbled. Tritons senior linebacker Tyler Holowell scooped up the ball and returned it 25 yards into Gators territory.

The fumble seemed to spark the Tritons, who got their first first down of the game. An interception in the end zone by the Gators’ Torreon Madison was a crushing blow for the Tritons.

Holowell and the defense continued to play strong, forcing the Gators into a long fourth down on their next drive. Gators quarterback Nick Ghigliotty appeared to get the first down by passing to his tight end, but a huge hit by Tyler Pigott knocked the ball out of his hands.

The Gators added another touchdown before the half, though, this time Ghigliotty completing a 33-yard pass to Johnson with two minutes left.

The Gators scored on the second play of the third quarter, when Johnson in motion took the handoff and sprinted 60 yards down the middle of the field for his first rushing touchdown of the night.

The Gators’ second drive saw two touchdowns negated by holding penalties, and then a fumble inside the Mariner 10 was recovered by Pigott to end the threat.

Pigott ended what appeared to be another Island Coast touchdown drive, darting in front of the receiver for an interception and returning it 70 yards to the Gators’ 20-yard line.

Pigott and Holowell, who led the team with 12 tackles including three for a loss, were the lone bright spots on the night for the Tritons.

Pender finished with 253 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Johnson finished with 161 total yards and three touchdowns.

Island Coast21 7 6 7 – 41

Mariner 0 0 0 0 – 0

First Quarter

IC – Mario Pender 46 run (PAT failed)

IC – T.J. Johnson 24 pass from Pender (run)

IC – Willie Fleming 10 run (Barry Bonet kick)

Second Quarter

IC – Johnson 33 pass from Nick Ghigliotty (Bonet Kick)

Third Quarter

IC – Johnson 60 run (run failed)

Fourth Quarter

IC – Pender 80 run (Bonet kick)