Prep football: Improving Marco Island Academy looking home win over Gateway Charter

The Marco Island Academy football program has already matched last season's win total, but the Manta Rays want to continue to build off that.   

With two wins under their belts this season – equal to their finishes for the past two seasons – the steadily improving Manta Rays will play in front of a home crowd against Gateway Charter on Friday night.

"We've gotten better at things each and every week," second-year MIA coach Damon Coiro said. 

Gateway Charter (1-3) grabbed its lone victory this season all the way back on Aug. 25 with a 54-15 win over Oasis. A week later, Marco Island (2-4) slapped Oasis with a 37-6 victory – the Manta Rays' first of the season. MIA squeezed by Keswick Christian in Week 6 in a thrilling two-point victory for its second of the year.

Marco Island comes off an impressive outing against Southwest Florida Christian. The Manta Rays' defense held the Kings to 21 points, but gave up a 60-yard fumble recovery by the Kings in a game decided by just one touchdown.

Last week:Marco Island defense not enough as Rays fall to Southwest Florida Christian

"That'll come with maturity," Coiro said. "It's just being able to take advantage of situations."

The Manta Rays will look to shut down the Griffins' pass-heavy offense, while allowing MIA quarterback Kyler Howard more opportunities to connect with his receivers similar to last week. Against the Kings, Howard threw for 102 yards, completing 59 percent of his attempts – about half of his passing yardage for the season. 

Lely transfer Austin Brooks leads the Rays in rushing and scoring with 459 yards on 89 carries and six touchdowns. Running backs Wendy Luders and Josh Aimes are both averaging about five yards a carry.

"We're going to keep grinding it out with them and try to throw the ball a little bit more," Coiro said. 

As a team that has improved its game all season, Coiro says the biggest thing has been his team's mental maturity.

"They're playing the game it's supposed to be played," he said. "They're not running their mouths on the field, they're just doing what they're supposed to do. We're going to continue to do that and grow them as young men."

Gateway Charter (1-4) at Marco Island Academy (2-4), 7 p.m.

Key players:  GC – WR/CB Kris Walton, QB Tyious Savoy, WR Jason Jeanlouis; MIA – RB Austin Brooks, RB Wendy Luders, DB Tyler Pasko

What to watch for: The Manta Rays enter Week 9 looking for their third win of the season when they face Gateway Charter. The Rays will look to give more opportunities to quarterback Kyler Howard in the air and continue to grind it out with Austin Brooks, Wendy Luders and Josh Aimes in the running game.