Mariner blocked Port Charlotte’s 33-yard field goal try with 22 seconds on the clock to preserve a 10-7 victory at Tony McKenna Field Friday night.

Justin Kuchle had kicked a 32-yard field goal about four minutes earlier to provide the Tritons’ margin of victory. The lead came after both sides had fought for much of the game with little to show for it.

Afterwards, Port Charlotte coach Dave Hoffer was sure to point ahead to next week’s district showdown and the hope that surely comes with it. Looking forward was surely easier than looking back.

“Next week’s a district game,” Hoffer said. “That gets us into the dance. It’s a big game for us, and we’ve got to correct our mistakes here and be ready to go next Friday.”

The Tritons got a combined 212 rushing yards from Donovan McAmis, Andrew Torres and Tyler Pigott, with Torres’ 75 yards leading the way.

Kuchle’s field goal was set up by a killing Pirates mistake in the fourth quarter. Punting on their own 28, the snap to kicker Brion Ashley skidded to him as the Tritons rushers swarmed toward him.

Ashley tried to scramble and fire off a desperation pass, but it fell harmlessly to the ground, giving the Tritons excellent field position.

Port Charlotte’s defense held Mariner to Kuchle’s field goal, but that was enough.

Matt Samson led the Pirates with a season-high 106 yards rushing and quarterback Zach Wheeler completed his first five passes in throwing for 106 yards. But their mistakes nullified most of the Pirates’ good works.

Wheeler threw two interceptions, and the Pirates failed to control the line of scrimmage, forcing them to look for other ways to move the ball.

The Pirates nearly put together a drive to tie or even win the game. Mixing runs by Samson with quick passes by Wheeler, the Pirates drove deep to the Tritons’ 24, where they had first down with 1:15 left to play.

Three runs by Samson could only get it to the Tritons’ 17, and Ashley’s low field goal try was swatted away.

The Pirates hoped they could get some sort of boost heading into next week’s all-important game.

Now they need to fix the problems that came from Friday’s loss before they think of that.

The Tritons (2-4) play the Cape Coral Seahawks in a District 5A-11 matchup at Tony McKenna Field next Friday night.

Port Charlotte 7 0 0 0 – 7

Mariner 7 0 0 3 – 10

First Quarter

M – Tyler Pigott 41 run (Justin Kuchle kick)

PC – Zach Wheeler 1 run (Brion Ashley kick).

Fourth Quarter

M – FG, Kuchle 32.