Shawn Simeon rushes for 405 yards, 7 touchdowns in Naples (Florida) playoff win
NAPLES, FLORIDA- Throwing the ball is overrated if you're the Naples Golden Eagles.
I mean, that's when you have a player like junior tailback Shawn Simeon running the rock like he did in Friday night's Class 3S, Region 4 semifinal against Port Charlotte at Staver Field.
Simeon led the way for the Golden Eagles, unofficially rushing for a school-record 405 yards on 28 carries and scoring seven touchdowns in a 63-33 victory over the Pirates. The game was a rematch of last year's region semifinal when Naples defeated Port Charlotte 35-3.
The win sends the Golden Eagles into the region final to face Dunbar, a 12-7 winner over Golden Gate. Naples will host Dunbar next week in a rematch of last year’s Class 3S, Region 4 final.
The offensive fireworks started right out of the gates on Port Charlotte's opening possession as running back Ike Perry (10 carries, 83 yards) scored on a 45-yard scamper to put the Pirates up 6-0.
On Naples' ensuing possession, everyone in the stadium would begin to hear the name Shawn Simeon get called for the first of many times on the night. Simeon scored on an impressive 79-yard sprint to put the Golden Eagles on top 7-6.
The Golden Eagles' special teams unit took the spotlight on the next couple of scores as senior defensive back Kensley Louidor-Faustin (two interceptions; Auburn commitment) scored on a sizzling 83-yard punt return. Not too long later on a Port Charlotte punt, Naples would block it with defensive lineman Jeremiah Faustin picking it up and returning it for a 26-yard score.
To add a cherry on top of what looked like a perfect opening quarter for Naples (10-2), Simeon scored his second touchdown of then night, a 22-yarder, to put the Golden Eagles up 28-6. Port Charlotte wouldn't go quietly into the night, however.
The Pirates (9-3) got to within 28-12 when Rutgers commitment Edd Guerrier scored on a 70-yard touchdown run. Port Charlotte then after another Naples score went on a 13-0 run heading into halftime, highlighted by quarterback Eli Manley's 45-yard touchdown pass to Guerrier. Manley finished the night with 110 yards passing for the Pirates.
Up just 35-25 at the break, the Golden Eagles needed to regain control and Simeon was the player to lean on in the second half. Taking advantage of Port Charlotte miscues and a short field, Simeon scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a 45-yard run to put Naples up 42-25. Simeon wasn't anywhere close to being finished when it came to scoring as the running back found pay dirt three more times on the night.
Naples' quarterback Jack Melton only attempted one pass the entire evening and for good reason with the kind of night Simeon was having on the ground. The back breaker came with 6:57 left in the game when Simeon scored on a 2-yard plunge, essentially putting the game away with the score at 56-33.
Guerrier might've had the most low key 24-carry, 239-yard performance of the season as he fought to keep the Pirates in the game. Port Charlotte's season ends and they graduate Guerrier and wide receiver Jamal Streeter Jr., a South Dakota commitment. Streeter Jr. ended the evening catching five passes for 73 yards.
FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
