Which Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral area players did it best this week plus full scores from this week's action and next week's schedule.
Fort Myers survived a scare from Mariner in thrilling fashion, Cape Coral used a big second half to run away from North Fort Myers, and Lely's offense started the season off with a bang.
Those were just some of the top games from Week 1 of the 2025 high school football season in Southwest Florida.
To honor the players who stood out, The News-Press and Naples Daily News hand out their Game Balls for the top efforts each week. Here are those players for this week's games.
Caleb Cobb/Jermaine Skinner, Cape Coral
The tailbacks combined to rush for 203 yards and scored four touchdowns to help power the Seahawks to a win at North Fort Myers.
Bryson Glover, Fort Myers
Glover caught a walk-off 70-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dom Ardezzone as the Green Wave rallied to stun Mariner, 30-27
Tyce Harris, Evangelical Christian School
The running back rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Sentinels past First Baptist.
Daniel Haith, Bonita Springs
The running back rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns as the Bull Sharks topped Ida Baker 32-22.
Marshon Jackson, Immokalee
Jackson caught two touchdown passes, ran for another score and added an interception in the Indian's season-opening shutout of rival Barron Collier.
Nino Joseph, Lely
The explosive running back carried five times for 145 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans' win over Golden Gate.
Maddox Stewart, Estero
The quarterback passed for 188 yards and one touchdown and ran for another score in the Wildcats' loss to Riverdale.
Almirian Thomas, Cape Coral
The senior defensive back returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown in the Seahawks' 40-10 win over North Fort Myers.
Marquan Young, Riverdale
The wideout had three catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' 21-16 victory over Estero.
SW Florida Football Week 1 Results
ECS 29, First Baptist 0 | VIDEO
South Fort Myers 46, Gateway 6 | VIDEO
Bonita Springs 32, Ida Baker 22 | PHOTOS | VIDEO
Cape Coral 40, North Fort Myers 10 | PHOTOS | VIDEO
IMG Academy White 35, St. John Neumann 21
Community School of Naples 49, Oasis 0
Sarasota Christian 28, Canterbury 14
Gainesville 36, Aubrey Rogers 2
Marco Island 18, West Oaks 14
Tampa Jesuit 33, Bishop Verot 14
Gulf Coast 26, Charlotte 16
LaBelle 42, Palmetto Ridge 0
Lely 62, Golden Gate 0
Immokalee 45, Barron Collier 0 | PHOTOS
Riverdale 21, Estero 16
Fort Myers 30, Mariner 27
Port Charlotte 62, Island Coast 0
Naples 14, Sarasota Riverview 14 (suspended) | PHOTOS
Lehigh 38, East Lee County 0
Dunbar 28, Cypress Lake 20 | VIDEO
Bye: Gateway Charter
SWFL Football Week 2 Schedule
(All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Thursday, Aug. 28
Lemon Bay at Cape Coral
Gateway at East Lee County
Friday, Aug. 29
Oasis at Glades Central, 6:30 p.m.
True North Classical at Bishop Verot, 7 p.m.
ECS at St. John Neumann, 7 p.m.
LaBelle at Gateway Charter, 7 p.m.
FBA at Northside Christian, 7 p.m.
Bartow at Gulf Coast
SFCA at Palmetto Ridge
Golden Gate at Island Coast
Calvary Christian at Lely
Aubrey Rogers at Estero
Naples at Barron Collier
Bonita Springs at Mariner
Fort Myers at Lehigh
Riverdale at South Fort Myers
North Fort Myers at Port Charlotte
Cypress Lake at Pahokee
Canterbury at Santa Fe Catholic, 7 p.m.
Bye: Dunbar
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW FL high school football top Week 1 performers
Category: General Sports
