The Estero Wildcats readied themselves for next week's playoffs with a 45-28
victory over the Bishop Verot Vikings Friday night.
Verot struck first, after a balanced offensive attack on the opening drive
of the game, with a one-yard plunge by hard-nosed fullback Marc Krispinsky.
Estero quickly answered with a tying touchdown. After a heavy dose of runs
by Wildcat workhorse Eric McFadden and a 40-yard reception by McFadden,
Christian Philips scored on a two-yard quarterback keeper to tie the game.
Estero scored in the second quarter on another two-yard run, this time by
McFadden.
Verot responded quickly with a 60-yard kickoff return by Justin Hutchins
putting the Vikings on Esteros 40-yard line. A penalty took the Vikings
into the redzone. They capitalized by lining up D.J. Oceant-Kelly at
quarterback and calling his number. Oceant-Kelly scored on an easy 14-yard
run to again tie the game 14-14.
More sloppy penalties stunted the Wildcats throughout the second quarter.
After two separate 40-yard plays (one a touchdown) were called back for
Estero holding, McFadden fumbled the ball in Verot territory and the Vikings
recovered. A 46-yard bomb to receiver Luke Labreche took the Vikings to the
1-yard line, where the Krispinsky pounded it in for the touchdown.
The Vikings made some mistakes of their own. A muffed kickoff after the
score resulted in a 60-yard touchdown return by defensive back Jason Moore.
Estero put up points one more time before the half ended, with a 15-yard
field goal by Ricky Lopez with 21 seconds left. Estero led 24-21.
Neither team came out with much life in the second half. Both defenses
played stout, though there were no turnovers. Neither team's offense managed
to put a single point on the board until the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats, who had been milking the three-point lead with a run heavy
offense, scored on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Christian Philips to
receiver Ricky Lopez, on a broken play.
Verot managed one last push in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 37-yard pass
from quarterback Quinn Farrell to Oceant-Kelly, who was man-covered.
The Wildcats quickly piled on two more TDs to break things open and end
their regular season with a victory. Philips hooked up with Jason Correll
for a 23-yard passing score. Philips also ran for a touchdown with under two
minutes left in the game.
The Wildcats play next Friday at Immokalee in the regional quarterfinals.
Bishop Verot 7 14 0 7 28
Estero 7 17 0 21 45
First Quarter
BV Marc Krispinsky 1 run
EST Christian Philips 2 run
Second Quarter
EST Eric McFadden 2 run
BV D.J. Oceant-Kelly 14 run
BV Krispinsky 1 run
EST Jason Moore 60 kickoff return
EST FG, Ricky Lopez 15
Fourth Quarter
EST Lopez 10 pass from Christian Philips
BV Oceant-Kelly 37 pass Quinn Farrell
EST Jason Correll 23 pass from Philips
EST Philips 11 run
