Andrew "Butch" Bolger, 18; Canterbury School – Lacrosse All Area (2016)

Sean Dunphy, 18, Track, Estero HS, All Area (2016).

Joe Cerniglia, 18, Bishop Verot – Lacrosse, All Area (2016)

The News-Press All-Area All Stars

Alex Kirschner, Canterbury

Max Adams, Fort Meyrs

Kenny Leddy, Bishop Verot

Zack Liberto, Bishop Verot

Kyle Palmer, Riverdale

Josh St. John, Estero

Chapin Leatherwood, Canterbury

Scott Wheeler, Canterbury

Levi Harmsen, Cypress Lake

How we select All-Area teams

At the conclusion of each high school season, The News-Press staff sends area coaches a nomination form to select and rank players for our All-Area first teams and to nominate athletes for second team and honorable mention.

The News-Press All-Area Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year finalists.

A combination of The News-Press’ research and the coaches’ player rankings lead to the teams being selected and three athletes are named finalists for player of the year. The three finalists are invited to The News-Press All-Area Stars Banquet to be held Tuesday, May 31 at Germain Arena in Estero where the players of the year will be announced.

Tickets on sale to see Emmitt Smith at Germain Arena

Player of the Year finalists

Joey Cerniglia

School: Bishop Verot

Position: Attacker

Year: Senior

Highlights: The attacker, a towering presence at 6-foot-1, led the Vikings with a team-high 79 goals and added 20 assists. He’s headed to Florida State University in the fall.

Sean Dunphy

School: Estero

Position: Midfielder

Year: Senior

Highlights: The midfielder was a powerful two-way player, winning 142 ground balls and 67-percent of his face-offs. He also authored 14 goals and 17 assists. He will attend St. Andrews University (NC) to continue his career.

Butch Bolger

School: Canterbury

Position: Midfielder

Year: Senior

Highlights: The veteran midfielder, considered the Cougars’ best two-way player, had 41 goals and 11 assists for 12-win Canterbury. He’ll attend the University of Colorado in the fall.

2016 News-Press All-Area Girls Lacrosse

First Team

Second Team

Kyle Leddy, Bishop Verot

Payton Smith, Fort Myers

Michael Stufano, Fort Myers

Ben Tucker, Estero

Jack Parker, Cypress Lake

Brendan Fritz, Canterbury

Thomas Moerschel, Riverdale

Jeremy Barrett, Estero

Tagg Toscano, Bishop Verot

James Duncan, Cypress Lake

Kyle Palmer, Riverdale

2015 News-Press All-Area Boys Lacrosse

Honorable Mention

Bishop Verot: Olin Peck, Anthony Cecere

Canterbury: Steven Hueniken, Mitchell Hueniken

Riverdale: Tyler Campbell, Brian Youd

Fort Myers: Jude Harrell, Andrew Athens

Cypress Lake: Kaelin Carlisle

Estero: Jack Blurton, Sean Filiault

Coach of the Year

Josh Vazquez, Fort Myers

Josh Vazquez, Fort Myers

Highlights: Following a tough start, which saw their former head coach, Chip Dopman, dismissed from his duties by the school, Vazquez regrouped a 2-3 team and led them to seven wins in their next nine games, pushing them to the District 18 championship. While a loss ended the team’s season, Vazquez’s work helped rebuild Fort Myers back into one of the area’s best teams. A comeback win in the final seconds over Estero on Feb. 26 started it all.

The sixth annual The News-Press All-Area Stars banquet honors the best high school athletes in Lee and Collier counties.

The sixth annual The News-Press All-Area Stars banquet honors the best high school athletes in Lee and Collier counties.

The News-Press All-Area All Stars

The News-Press announced its Male and Female Athlete of the Year and its Jeff Sommer Memorial Coach of the Year at its All-Area Stars Awards Banquet held at Germain Arena Tuesday night. The Players of the Year for all  24 varsity high school sports were also announced.

The sixth annual The News-Press All-Area Stars banquet.

Here is a rundown of the winners:

The Female and Male Athlete of the Year and Jeff Sommer Memorial Coach of the Year award winners are:

Megan Galbreath, Diving, Cape Coral

Female Athlete of the Year: Megan Galbreath, Cape Coral High School

Megan took care of business on the diving board, winning district, regional and state titles in dominating fashion. But probably more impressive is what she did in the classroom and our community. Academically, she sported a 5.48 GPA, scored a 33 on the ACT and 2200 on the SAT while piling up honor roll and academic awards.

She’s been a leader in her school through student government, tutoring, and various clubs. She’s been a first-place delegate at numerous Model UN conferences. In the community she’s volunteered at area elementary and middle schools and to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Her career goal is to study pediatric oncology at Harvard University, which she will attend in the fall, and hopes to someday help find the cure for cancer.

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Josh Kennedy, Cross Country, Fort Myers

Male Athlete of the Year: Josh Kennedy, Fort Myers High School

Kennedy won the LCAC cross country individual title and placed 18th in Class 3A in the fall and also won the county two-mile title in track.

The junior is an all-star in the classroom as well. He ranks first in his class, has a 5.04 GPA and scored a perfect 2400 on his SAT. He is only 1 of 2 students in the Lee County School District selected as a 2016 Sunshine State Scholar based on outstanding performance in math and science and came in first place nationally at the Mu Alpha Theta National convention. He’s president of the national honor society, regional coordinator of the Florida Student Association of Mathematics and is the winner of the 2016 Princeton Book Award among his many academic activities and accolades.

Outside of school, he’s volunteered in the summer as a tutor for remedial middle school math students seeking credit retrieval and volunteers for Special Olympics helping athletes in Track and Field. He also takes on great responsibility at home, helping his mother care for his younger brother, Josh, has Down syndrome.

Jeff Sommer Memorial Coach of the Year Award: Dwayne Donnell, Dunbar High School

On the court, Donnell led the Tigers to a 26-5 record and a State Final Four appearance, his team’s seventh such trip that includes one state title and four state runner-up finishes. Off the court, Donnell pushes his players to strive in academics, athletics, service and their relationships with his “Winning Is The Only Option” or W.I.T.O.O program philosophy and has made Dunbar girls basketball not just a school entity, but a community event.

Donnell takes home Jeff Sommer Coach of the Year award

First to be presented were the 24 Player of the Year Awards representing a winner in each varsity high school sport.

The Player of the Year award winners:

Football Offense:  Carlin Fils-aime, Naples High School

Football Defense:  Tyler Byrd, Naples High School

Girls Bowler of the Year:  Kyndall Snyder, Island Coast High School

Boys Bowler of the Year: Tyler Altmann, Ida Baker High School

Girls Golfer of the Year:  Brittany Shin, Ida Baker High School

Boys Golfer of the Year:  Landon Weber, Fort Myers High School

Girls Swimmer of the Year: Kendall Brent, Fort Myers High School

Boys Swimmer of the Year: Santiago Corredor, Bishop Verot High School

Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year:  Krissy Gear, Fort Myers High School

Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year: Evan Babatz, Fort Myers High School

Volleyball Player of the Year:  Alayna Ryan, Fort Myers High School

Girls Basketball Player of the Year:  Destanni Henderson, Fort Myers High School

Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Jacob Tracey, Riverdale High School

Girls Soccer Player of the Year:  Taylor Hatch, Estero High School

Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Erick Rivera, Mariner High School

Wrestler of the Year: Mike Delago, Fort Myers High School

Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Arianna Endelmann, Estero High School

Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year:  Joey Cerniglia, Bishop Verot High School

Girls Tennis Player of the Year:  Emily Javedan, Canterbury School

Boys Tennis Player of the Year: John Carlin, Fort Myers High School

Girls Track Athlete of the Year:  Krissy Gear, Fort Myers High School

Boys Track Athlete of the Year:  Evan Babatz, Fort Myers High School

Softball Player of the Year:  MacKenzie Peterson, North Fort Myers High School

Baseball Player of the Year:  Michael Richey, Bishop Verot High School

For a complete look at all our All-Area teams, click HERE

Emily Moore, of Evangelical Christian School, shares a laugh with Chelsa Messinger, of WINK Sports, during an interview on the red carpet at the All-Area All Stars Banquet at Germain Arena on Tuesday night.

None of the parents of Cape Coral diver Megan Galbreath and Fort Myers runner Josh Kennedy’s had their cameras ready during the announcement of the Female and Male Athlete of the Year awards Tuesday at the Sixth Annual News-Press All-Area Stars banquet.

Josh Kennedy, of Fort Myers High School, and Megan Galbreath, of Cape Coral High School, are named male and female Athlete of the Year during the News-Press All-Area Stars Awards Banquet at Germain Arena on Tuesday night.

Thinking neither of the finalist won their individual sports, there was no need.

That’s when the bios of the winners started to sound familiar.

Galbreath, a Harvard signee, may have lost out to four-time Female Swimmer of the Year Kendall Brent of Fort Myers, but she came out on top when the final awards were announced. The state champion diver dedicated her award to her coach Jenn Panicaro, who suffered a brain aneurysm days before the regional meet this season.

Galbreath wasn’t sure she’d finish the season much less win state. While she was surprised to be heading to the stage to accept the award it was the perfect ending to a tough season.

“There’s just so many amazing athletes out there,” Galbreath said. “It’s been a tough year. It’s been an amazing year. I’d never thought it’d happen.”

Kennedy didn’t think he’d be in the running for Male Athlete of the Year after Fort Myers teammate Evan Babatz  took home honors in cross country and track and field. His perfect SAT score and work in the community made him a perfect fit for the award honoring athletic achievement as well as academic achievement.

“I’m just thrilled,” Kennedy said. “I’d really like to thank my parents. My mom, first of all, for pushing me academically and athletically and for driving me to practice for two years. I’d also like to thank Coach (Yancey) Palmer because without his excellent coaching I wouldn’t even have been a finalist.”

Emmitt Smith delivers heartfelt message to All-Area stars

It was a breakout season for Kennedy as he finished 18th in Class 3A and took on a leadership role with the Green Wave.

“It meant a lot to me to show our younger runners what it means to represent Fort Myers High School,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to show them what hard work is all about.”

Repeat winners included Fort Myers’ John Carlin, who won the Boys Tennis Player of the Year for the third year in a row, Ida Baker bowler Tyler Altmann, Bishop Verot swimmer Santiago Corredor, Brent, Fort Myers golfer Landon Weber and Fort Myers’ Krissy Gear (cross country and track and field).

“It’s like a dream come true,” Brent said.

Naples swept the football categories with University of Tennessee signees Tyler Byrd and Carlin Fils-aime taking home Defensive Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, respectively.

“It means everything. It’s just a blessing to be here,” Byrd said. “To start four years and get where I am now, I couldn’t do it without my parents and the support of my coaches and other teammates.”

Donnell takes home Jeff Sommer Coach of the Year award

While Estero’s Taylor Hatch was named the Girls Soccer Player of the Year, Erick Rivera became the second straight Mariner player to win the Boys Soccer Player of the Year award.

“It means that all the hard work has actually paid off,” Rivera said.

Wrestler of the Year Mike Delago, Girls Basketball Player of the Year Destanni Henderson and Volleyball Player of the Year Alayna Ryan added to the list of Fort Myers’ winners.

In the baseball and softball categories, Bishop Verot senior Michael Richey and North Fort Myers junior MacKenzie Peterson prevailed.

“I was just shocked. It was crazy,” Peterson said. “It was just awesome to be put in this position.”

The News-Press 2015-15 Player of the Year are:

Football Offense: Carlin Fils-aime, Naples High School

Football Defense: Tyler Byrd, Naples High School

Girls Bowler of the Year: Kyndall Snyder, Island Coast High School

Boys Bowler of the Year: Tyler Altmann, Ida Baker High School

Girls Golfer of the Year: Brittany Shin, Ida Baker High School

Boys Golfer of the Year: Landon Weber, Fort Myers High School

Girls Swimmer of the Year: Kendall Brent, Fort Myers High School

Boys Swimmer of the Year: Santiago Corredor, Bishop Verot High School

Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year: Krissy Gear, Fort Myers High School

Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year: Evan Babatz, Fort Myers High School

Volleyball Player of the Year: Alayna Ryan, Fort Myers High School

Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Destanni Henderson, Fort Myers High School

Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Jacob Tracey, Riverdale High School

Girls Soccer Player of the Year: Taylor Hatch, Estero High School

Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Erick Rivera, Mariner High School

Wrestler of the Year: Mike Delago, Fort Myers High School

Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Arianna Endelmann, Estero High School

Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year: Joey Cerniglia, Bishop Verot High School

Girls Tennis Player of the Year: Emily Javedan, Canterbury School

Boys Tennis Player of the Year: John Carlin, Fort Myers High School

Girls Track Athlete of the Year: Krissy Gear, Fort Myers High School

Boys Track Athlete of the Year: Evan Babatz, Fort Myers High School

Softball Player of the Year: MacKenzie Peterson, North Fort Myers High School

Baseball Player of the Year: Michael Richey, Bishop Verot High School

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, right, speaks to the audience while being interviewed by News-Press sports reporter Cory Mull at the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

Former NFL football player Emmitt Smith, center, signs footballs before the the start of the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

Of the 24 News-Press Athletes of the Year who had their picture taken with NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, there wasn’t one Smith didn’t try to steer toward his alma mater, the University of Florida.

News-Press sports reporter Cory Mull, left, interviews former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith at the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

He was devastated to hear Offensive Football Player of the Year Carlin Fils-Aime and Defensive Football Player of the Year Tyler Byrd, both from Naples High, signed rival Tennessee.

“How did they let them out of the state,” Smith asked.

And there were those like Fort Myers’ Krissy Gear, a Runner of the Year in cross country and track and field, and Boys Basketball Player of the Year Jacob Tracey of Riverdale where he still had hope.

“Why not? I’m always recruiting,” Smith said. “There’s nowhere better than UF.”

Smith was the guest speaker at the Sixth Annual News-Press All-Area Stars banquet Tuesday at Germain Arena. The former Gator and Dallas Cowboys running back’s message to the 200-plus Southwest Florida athletes in attendance was heartfelt.

All-Area all-stars celebrate strong seasons

“These kids need to hear this,” Smith said before heading onstage for a question and answer session with News-Press high school sports columnist Cory Mull.

The former Pensacola Escambia standout had plenty of advice for athletes aspiring to excel at the college and pro levels while discussing the pitfalls of recruiting services and taking time to reminisce about his three Super Bowl victories with the Dallas Cowboys.

“They need to pay attention,” Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, said. “Pay attention to the guys who came before you – good, bad and indifferent. A lot of athletes, a lot of people in general don’t learn from other folks’ mistakes primarily because they don’t believe it can actually happen to them. What I hate seeing is watching athletes make the same dumb mistake the guy before them made.

“Playing a sport that we absolutely love and getting paid for it, those are rare moments. Those are life-changing moments. Those are financially-changing moments because a lot of athletes come from the bottom. The role and the responsibility of that isn’t hard. Just do what’s right.”

Coming out of Escambia in 1987, recruiting analyst Max Emfinger famously wrote Smith was a “lugger, not a runner. He can’t get around the corner. When he falls flat on his face, remember where you heard it first.”

Smith went on to break Florida’s single-game rushing record in his first start and ran for 18,355 yards in the pros.

“I still have people forming opinions about me,” Smith joked.

Donnell takes home Jeff Sommer Coach of the Year award

“A lot of kids have been told they’re great too soon. I think they miss the elements of what it takes to be great. You’re not great today. You’re in the process of becoming great. Once you’re at that level you’re still in the process of becoming great.”

Smith said he still uses “bulletin board material” as motivation to this day.

“From a motivational standpoint, we all look for something to fuel us, especially in athletics,” Smith said.  “ … People find stuff to fuel them, things to motivate them, things to inspire them. For me, try not to take offense. Try not to take offense. It’s hard when people are saying things that aren’t right. The only one who can speak for you is really your performance. Having the opportunity go back and utilize someone’s statement about you as motivation is a powerful thing.”

Full list of winners for The News-Press All-Area Stars

One of Smith’s fondest memories of his time with the Cowboys came in his rookie season with the team coming off a 1-15 season. With Smith in the backfield, Dallas finished 7-9 and won no less than 11 games in 1991 to 1995.

“To see it come to fruition it reinforces the statement that if you work hard you can be successful,” Smith said. “It put action to words.”

Admittedly, the NFL’s shift to a running-back-by-committee approach hurts Smith, who was a three-down back who carried over 4,000 times in his career. However, it’s something he understands.

“I look back on it and think, ‘What about me?” Smith said. “I had to run, I had to block and I had to catch passes. And I’m doing OK and feeling OK, but I look at it and I understand. It’s hard to get your body back and ready to go. I think that back pay is due for what I’ve done.”

Scenes from the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

Scenes from the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

The night started off with a red carpet interview, followed with an in-depth discussion with NFL Hall-of-Fame running back Emmitt Smith and ended with recognition for two of Southwest Florida’s most accomplished student-athletes.

Undoubtedly, there was a lot to take in at the sixth annual News-Press All-Area Stars banquet on Tuesday at Germain Arena.

From heartwarming stories to Smith’s inspiring path to the NFL, the night provided a glimpse into what makes covering sports in this region so remarkable.

And so, because we’re rounding out our calendar year of coverage, I would be remiss if I didn’t look back at the great moments that took place during our year-end event.

Best interview: Sean Dunphy, Estero

WINK News sports reporter Chelsa Messinger was on the other side of a microphone Tuesday asking athletes questions that ranged from season bests to thoughts on the evening at large.

Of the many interviews the former Division I swimmer for North Carolina State gave, one in particular stood out, she said. Estero senior Sean Dunphy, an All-Area finalist in boys lacrosse, mentioned how as a sixth-grader he had dreamed of one day being in a position to be recognized for his hard work in the sport.

Well, that day came Tuesday, with an interview by a local celebrity and a best-of nomination to boot.

Best Elevator Pitch: Emmitt Smith

Scenes from the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

Would you consider attending the University of Florida?

That was the pitch Smith gave to a number athletes who won awards in their respective sports. And let’s be honest: Who wouldn’t like to be recruited by an NFL Hall of Famer?

Emmitt Smith delivers heartfelt message to All-Area stars

Among the athletes Smith tried to persuade to enroll with the Gators were Fort Myers juniors Krissy Gear and John Carlin, Riverdale’s Jacob Tracey and Fort Myers sophomore Destanni Henderson.

Only, Smith was pitching to Henderson’s mother, Joyel James, who stood in for her daughter at the ceremony since she was in Colorado Springs, Colorado, vying for a spot on the USA women’s basketball U17 national team.

Best oddball moment: Krissy Gear, Fort Myers

Scenes from the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

As any athlete knows, taking the long walk toward the stage after being announced as an All-Area winner can be stressful.

What do you do with your arms? How fast should you walk? Should you wave to the crowd?

But leaving the stage also has its challenges. Gear, the All-Area winner in both girls cross country and track and field, had a minor hiccup on her first award, taking two wrong turns on stage — and almost finding a seat on the couch — before exiting, and then had another on her second appearance, almost forgetting to take a picture with WINK News sports director Bill Halter.

No judgements here, though. Stage left? Stage right? I’m right there with you, Krissy.

Best reaction: Josh Kennedy, Fort Myers

For the most part, athletes had an idea where they stood on the All-Area awards. But when it came to the Player of the Year recognition, the race was wide open.

Male Athlete of the Year winner Josh Kennedy walks up onto the stage to get his trophy Tuesday at the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet in Fort Myers.

On most occasions, winners of this award typically win their sports’ top honors, too. But on Tuesday, that didn’t happen for either the boys or girls athlete of the year award. Cape Coral’s Megan Galbreath took the honor on the girls side after Fort Myers senior Kendall Brent won the All-Area swimming award.

But it wasn’t until The News-Press’ Ed Reed began to read off Kennedy’s accomplishments on stage that you began to see the shock on his face. The student with the perfect SAT score had no idea he was even in the running.

All-Area all-stars celebrate memorable seasons

Which meant it was a great moment for Kennedy, one of the top students in his junior class at Fort Myers and a top level runner for the Green Wave.

Best speech: Dwayne Donnell, Dunbar

It made sense that Donnell, a 23-year girls basketball coach, won the Jeff Sommer Memorial Coach of the Year award.

For years, he’s exemplified what being a coach truly means.

Scenes from the All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers All-Area Stars Awards Banquet Tuesday in Fort Myers.

On the court or off, in the classroom or outside it, Donnell has been a presence in his athletes’ lives. He’s served his Tigers in countless ways, not only helping players receive scholarships to play at the next level, but also guiding them through tougher moments off the court. 

He said he learned to have that kind of influence from Sommer, the late Estero coach and athletic director whom the award was named after and of whom Donnell developed a bond late into their careers together.

Ending his speech Tuesday, he summarized his thoughts succinctly.

“Hopefully, when it’s time to hang up my whistle, and it’s time for me to move on, people will say that I did the best that I could, and I did have an imprint in on kid’s lives,” he said.

There’s no doubt. Donnell has.

Evin Graham, 23, takes over as the new head coach of Island Coast’s boys program.

Evin Graham, a Fort Myers High grad and former Green Wave boys basketball star, will take over the Island Coast program next season.

On Friday, the Gators hired the 23-year-old Graham, a two-time News-Press All-Area player of the year, following the exit of former coach Greg Coleman, who was hired at Lehigh.

The 2015 Palm Beach Atlantic University graduate was an assistant under his former high school coach Scott Guttery a season ago at Fort Myers. Graham played two years of college basketball at Division I Jacksonville and finished his career at Division II Palm Beach Atlantic.

It will be the first head coaching opportunity for the Fort Myers native.

“I knew I wanted to coach,” Graham said. “To get started this early is pretty good. I’m looking toward getting experience and working my way up. Being right out of school, this will be good for me.”

Graham currently teaches United States history at Oak Hammock Middle School. He says he will transfer to Island Coast at the beginning of next school year and plans to teach a social science.

A 2011 Fort Myers graduate, the 6-foot-3 Graham left the program with 1,530 points, 649 rebounds, 471 assists and 299 steals. He helped guide the Green Wave to four district titles, one region championship and a state championship in 2010.

He believes the transition to coaching at a young age will provide a connection to his players.

“Being that I’m younger, I can be on the court a little bit more and demonstrate a little more physically than just verbally instructing this or that. That’s key.”

Graham said he takes with him a great deal of experience from his year on the bench with Guttery.

“Coach Guttery runs one of the most organized programs I’ve ever seen,” Graham said. “You learn a lot more from him than just the Xs and Os. I learned how to run a program at a higher level.”

Graham said he hopes to develop the Gators into one of the better programs in Southwest Florida.

“I want to build them up to be one of the best teams in the area consistently,” he said.

Game of the Week

Darrian Felix and Fort Myers host Barron Collier in a Region 6A-3 quarterfinal Friday at Edison Stadium.

Barron Collier (5-5) at Fort Myers (6-4)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

What to watch for — Barron Collier: This is a Region 6A-3 quarterfinal, the first round of the state playoffs. Senior QB Jake Bueltel, who has passed for 655 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions, hasn’t played in four weeks because of a punctured lung that sidelined him. Coach Mark Jackson said he’s going back and forth as to whether to start him or Jacob Kuhlman, who has passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions in relief of Bueltel. “We’ll see who goes on Friday,” Jackson said. “Jacob’s a lacrosse player. He’s a tough-minded kid. He’s been managing the games well.” Junior RB Dana Brown has rushed 178 times for 922 yards and five  touchdowns. He would have had more but missed the first two games of the season because of an ankle injury. Fort Myers: The Green Wave and Cougars have two common opponents. Fort Myers defeated Lehigh 42-7, while Barron Collier lost to Lehigh 26-14. Fort Myers defeated North Fort Myers 37-16, while Barron Collier fell to the Red Knights 40-30. Fort Myers remains healthy but blew a 21-7 lead against Dunbar last week, losing 29-21 after surrendering 22 consecutive points in the game’s final five minutes. QB Ben Stobaugh leads the offense and has completed 36-of-69 passes for 639 yards and seven touchdowns with six interceptions. Senior RB Darrian Felix has rushed for 950 yards and 14 TDs on 113 carries. He has help from Xavier Perez and Sias Young, who have combined for 741 yards and 14  touchdowns. Look for the Green Wave to bounce back at home.

The News-Press’ pick: Fort Myers 35, Barron Collier 14

Three Lee teams are huge underdogs in playoffs

Game previews

Lehigh (6-3) at Naples (8-1)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

What to watch for — Lehigh: This is a Region 6A-3 quarterfinal. The Lightning are coming of a 42-2 win over rival Riverdale with RB Jalane Nelson carrying 20 times for 145 yards and a TD. Nelson will have to step in a similar way Friday with junior RB Chris Curry out with a leg injury. Naples has given up 22 points per game this season, which could provide the Lehigh offense with an opening. QB Delshawn Green completed 8-of-10 passes for 165 yards and may have to put the ball in the air 20 or more times against the Golden Eagles. Naples: The defending regional champion Eagles have had two weeks to prepare for Lehigh and that could spell trouble. Led by junior QB Jordan Persad-Tirone, who has accounted for over 1,500 yards through the air and on the ground, Naples hasn’t scored less than 30 points in a game this season. Senior RB Marcelino Charles leads the team in rushing with 892 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games.

The News-Press’ pick: Naples 48, Lehigh 13

Bradenton Southeast (4-5) at Dunbar (8-2)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Radio: WWDH 93.3 FM; tigerfm.com; callfm.com

What to watch for – Southeast: The District 5A-11 runner-ups are following a 42-24 loss to Manatee. While the Seminoles went 0-4 in non-conference games this season, they did go 4-1 in the division to lock up their second straight playoff bid. They have a new head coach in Rashad West, who was formerly with Island Coast for a month in the 2015 offseason before he resigned. The Seminoles have split their last four games, averaging 17 points in losses and just a shade over 24 points in wins. Junior quarterback Alex Taylor has passed for 1,877 yards and 15 touchdowns in nine games and completes 57 percent of his passes. The Seminoles have four receivers with over 250 yards receiving and two with nearly 500 yards and 40 catches. Dunbar: The Tigers, 29-21 winners over Fort Myers last week to finish the regular season, have won five straight games after a two-game slide in September and head into the Class 5A quarterfinals to face the Seminoles for the second straight season. A year ago, the District 5A-12 champion Tigers won this game 16-2. The Tigers have given up an average of 19 points in their last three games against Immokalee, Mariner and Fort Myers and in losses to Lely and South Fort Myers averaged 24 points against. However, the Tigers’ offense has made up the difference, averaging 37 points across its past five games. The team is averaging nearly 400 yards between its rushing and passing attack and has two rushers over 600 yards – Keanu Young (651) and Lajuan Preston (1,216) and four others over 100 yards. The defense has logged 49 sacks and leans on its production from defensive ends Rocky Jacques-Louis, Judas McKenzie and Bakari Jackson, who have combined for 37.

The News-Press’ pick: Dunbar 38, Southeast 21

Bishop Verot (6-4) at Cocoa (8-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

What to watch for — Verot: This is a Region 4A-2 semifinal. In a rematch of a first-round playoff meeting last year, the Vikings travel again to meet the Tigers, ranked No. 1 in 4A. Cocoa defeated Bishop Verot 49-12 on their way to a state semifinal appearance last season. The Tigers fell to eventual 4A champion Miami Booker T. Washington in the Final Four. This regional quarterfinal features two offenses that go about their business in different manners. Bishop Verot junior quarterback Corey Besse looks early and often for junior wideout Deven Thompkins as the duo has combined for nearly 1,000 yards through the air. Thompkins has 15 touchdown receptions on the season. Running back Joslyn Mira gives the Vikings balance on the ground as a reliable option to move the chains. Cocoa: The Tigers have multiple contributors for a potent offense, but USF commit Bruce Judson headlines the Cocoa attack. The senior has thrown 13 touchdown passes and only three interceptions for the season, and has six rushing touchdowns on the ground. Senior running backs Lasedrick King and Timmy Pratt have scored 17 touchdowns and run for nearly 1,300 yards splitting carries. Bishop Verot has a large mountain to climb as the Tigers have allowed seven points per game over their last five matchups, and will need to finish off drives with points to keep up with the mighty Tigers.

The News-Press’ pick: Cocoa 37, Bishop Verot 16

South Fort Myers (9-1) at Venice (9-0)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

What to watch for — South: This is a Region 7A-3 quarterfinal. Another rematch of a postseason tilt last year that sees the Wolfpack travel to Venice take on the No. 3 ranked Indians. Venice scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to come back from a halftime deficit to win 35-14 on the road last season. Interim head coach Matt Holderfield has led a talented roster to a season highlighted by a 42-35 triumph at Naples but lost out on a district title by losing to Gulf Coast 14-6. Playmakers across the board include Maurice Flournoy (QB/CB), E’Quan Dorris (RB), Riley Ware (RB/S), and Jeshaun Jones (WR/S). Dorris hit 1,000 yards for the year in the season finale and can be a force if he gets room to operate. Venice: The Indians are led by the aptly named Matt “Speedy” LaRoche, who has racked up 2,075 yards and 28 touchdowns. The senior had a notable 342 yards and five touchdowns in a victory over Braden River earlier in the season. Junior quarterback Bryce Carpenter is a capable playmaker and has tossed 11 touchdowns against three interceptions for the season. Wrapping up on LaRoche will be key for a Wolfpack defense that has had to negotiate their share of close games throughout the season.

The News-Press’ pick: Venice 29, South Fort Myers 23