Rob Popoff

Marco's Kit Fowler gets off a pass in a Lely High freshman football game.

Rob Popoff

Marco's Hayden Hanscom goes around left end on a 30-yard gain in a Lely High JV game.

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The Lely Freshman and JV teams wrapped up their season last week, playing Naples High for their version of the Coconut Bowl.

The JV team beat Naples, 7-0. Although the freshmen were able to score two touchdowns against Naples, they lost the game 43-12.

The freshman, coached by Landi Padin, ended the season 0-7. The JV fared much better with a record of 4-1. They are coached by Steve Pricer.

Coach Padin had nothing but praise for his team, despite their record.

“I am extremely proud of the boys,” Padin said. “They have been coming out here and working hard for months. Some of our games were very close.

“We are 50 strong, and we’re expecting 95 percent of the boys to come back. They will be ready for next season. They’re a great group of kids.”

This is not the only Lely freshman team to hold a losing record. The current varsity team didn’t win any games in their freshman year, and now they have earned a spot in the district playoffs. Many boys who play on the freshman team never played football prior to playing at Lely.

“What we have lacked in the past is a strong feeder program for the Trojans,” Coach Pricer said.

“The Marco Eagles are doing very well, and we are starting to see the results of their efforts. We have a good working relationship with them. In the summer, we hold a football camp down on Marco, helping the boys develop skills they will need when they get to Lely.

“Our JV team was almost undefeated this year,” Pricer said. “They lost to Barron by a touchdown. They’ve spent a lot of time working out in the weight room. They’re getting bigger and stronger. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

“These boys play well together as a team,” said John Principe, offensive coordinator/quarterback coach. “They are building team unity. This is one of the best freshman teams I’ve seen. They are well mannered, have good character, and are very coachable.”

The Lely football coaches recently held a meeting of the Touchdown Club, the fundraising group which is looking for new members. They plan to meet several times during the year.

Principe hopes to start a Lely Foundation to meet the needs of the football team and the program. Principe said they’re all good kids and that a foundation would be helpful.

Anyone who would like to help, or become a team sponsor, is encouraged to contact Pricer at 377-2044.