Prep Football 2016: Marco Island Academy closes with second straight victory

TAMPA -- In a game delayed 20 minutes at the start due to a malfunction with the field lights and sped up due to a running clock the, Marco Island Academy football team finished the season with an impressive 41-18 victory over Bell Creek Academy on Friday night.

"It meant everything," said senior running back Tyler Gresham when asked how important it was to close the 2016 campaign with another victory. "These are my brothers, some who I have played football with my entire life. This is a family and it was huge for us to finish strong."

After capturing their first win of the season last week against Evangelical Christian, the Manta Rays took nearly the entire first quarter to put points on the board as both teams battled to a scoreless tie throughout the opening stanza. Marco Island quarterback Tyler Pasko, though, connected with Gresham on a swing route 10 seconds before the buzzer sounded, and Gresham carried it into the end zone for a 14-yard score.

The two-point attempt was stuffed by Bell Creek.

Bell Creek, playing in its first season, did its best to keep the game competitive behind quarterback Damon Mercilliott, who finished with 142 yards on 9-of-19 completions. After Vinnie Moller's 18-yard scamper and a two-point run by Gresham increased the Manta Rays' lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter, Mercilliott led the Panthers on a 65-yard drive, capped by his 11-yard touchdown pass to Devin White.

Prep football: chat archive, scores, videos and photos from Week 11

The point after kick was blocked, but the Panthers were in the game.

Pasko and Gresham, though, immediately quelled the home crowd's enthusiasm, despite it being Bell Creek's homecoming affair, when they hooked up for a 75-yard score with 10 seconds before halftime.

"That was impressive, to say the least," Marco Island coach Damon Coiro said.

Gresham finished with a game-high 132 yards on 11 carries. Pasko completed 3-of-7 passes for 42 yards.

Moller added 67 yards on seven carries.

Fueled by the highlight-reel play, the Manta Rays continued to pour on the points in the second half, scoring 21 straight points to begin a running clock in the fourth quarter.

"Like Tyler said, it was important for us to finish as a team and together," Coiro said. "It hasn't been all roses all along this year. Sure, it's been tough, but their attitude has been there. Their resiliency has showed and it shows their maturity beyond their years."

Despite losing half the roster to graduation, Coiro is excited about many younger players who compete at the skill positions returning next year.

"They have learned a heck of a lot from this group of seniors," he said.

MARCO ISLAND ACADEMY 41, BELL CREEK ACADEMY 18

MIA 6 14 21 0 -- 41

BCA  0 6 0 12 -- 18

First quarter

MIA -- Tyler Gresham 14 from Tyler Pasko (run failed) :10

Second quarter

MIA -- Vinnie Moller 18 run (Tyler Gresham run) 5:05

BCA -- Devin White from Damon Mercilliott 11 (kick blocked) :33

MIA -- Tyler Gresham 75 from Tyler Pasko (run failed) :10

Third quarter

MIA -- Vinnie Moller 2 run (Josh DaCruz kick) 9:00

MIA -- Will Carlisle 12 run (Josh DaCruz kick) 6:20

MIA -- Tyler Gresham 40 run (Josh DaCruz kick) 2:05

Fourth quarter

BCA -- Damon Mercilliot 65 run (run failed) 8:30

BCA --  Devin White 35 from Damon Mercilliott (no attempt) :00