Prep Football 2016: South Fort Myers holds off North Miami in regular-season finale
South Fort Myers High School interim football coach Matt Holderfield had two simple goals for his Wolfpack to accomplish in their season finale heading into the state playoffs next week: Stay injury-free and find a way to win.
By accomplishing both tasks, the Wolfpack finished off a tumultuous season by defeating North Miami 20-13 to cap a 9-1 regular season Friday evening.
Riley Ware’s interception with 30 seconds left thwarted a late Pioneers rally after a successful onside kick attempt following a late touchdown in the final two minutes cut it to a seven point game.
Ware picked off two passes, scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter and from six yards out in the fourth quarter to give the Wolfpack the lead for good.
Wolfpack linebacker Tristan Perry also picked off two passes, each in the first half and each in South Fort Myers territory to end North Miami drives.
South Fort Myers, which plays at Venice in the Class 7A playoffs next week, went the whole way with their starters on both sides of the ball and called upon a steady dose of E’Quan Dorris runs for the majority of the Wolfpack offense in the second half.
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“We caught them when we went uptempo with the power runs in the second half in particular because we liked that look and they didn’t adjust to it very well.” said Holderfield, who took over when former coach Anthony Dixon was removed just prior to the season after a sex scandal involving players.
Dorris reached the 1,000-yard mark for the season in the second quarter, and finished the evening with 138 yards on 25 carries. He scored from three yards out to seemingly ice the game away with 1:28 remaining.
Pioneers quarterback Tyberius Horne led a quick scoring drive that was capped off by a 16-yard hookup with Colson Jean for the second time in the game with 40 seconds left.
North Miami’s (5-4) successful onside kick recovery set them up around midfield, and after a pass interference penalty moved them to the Wolfpack 34 yard line, Ware’s interception on a jump ball inside the ten yard line sealed the victory for South Fort Myers.
“We did keep it simple tonight and just tried to get out of there with a victory," Holderfield said. "We did what we needed to do. We feel like we’re going to be in good shape heading into next week. If we stay solid on all fronts, we will be fine.”
South Fort Myers will face as tough of a test as possible traveling to the No. 3 Indians next Friday night. But having already taken down one of the traditional powers in the state in Naples on the road two weeks ago 42-35, the Wolfpack are tested and eager for the challenge that lies ahead.
The Wolfpack led the Indians 14-7 at halftime a year ago in a regional quarterfinal matchup, but allowed 28 unanswered points in the second half to fall 35-14.
SOUTH FORT MYERS 20, NORTH MIAMI 13
NM 7 0 0 6 -- 13
SFM 0 7 0 13 -- 20
First quarter
NM -- Colson Jean 16 pass from Tyberius Horne (Serge Phonard kick) 1:23
Second quarter
SFM -- Riley Ware 1 run (Daniel Diaz kick) 1:23
Fourth quarter
SFM -- Riley Ware 6 run (Daniel Diaz kick) 9:15
SFM --: E’Quan Dorris 3 run (kick failed) 1:28
NM -- Colson Jean 16 pass from Tyberius Horne (kick failed) :40