Measuring Stick

A three-way jamboree between First Baptist Academy, Canterbury, and Marco Island on Thursday, May 21, at FBA, was intended to be a measuring stick for second-year coach Rich Costante’s Rays. In four quarters of action, MIA came up short, 35-0 to FBA and 28-0 to Canterbury. But Costante went into the scrimmage knowing his team was overmatched against two more established programs. He was okay with the outcome.

“We did some things good,” Costante said after the jamboree. "We did some things bad. This program hasn't played many spring games in their history. It's a learning curve. We unfortunately had a guy sick tonight, had another one that was unable to come, had two starters that were unable to play. We had some growing pains, but we'll be okay.”

The jamboree started with the Rays squaring off against FBA for two quarters. FBA is rebuilding after winning the 1S state championship in 2022. The Lions struggled to a 2-8 record last year after firing their longtime head coach. The depleted Rays struggled to stop the FBA offense and were able to muster little offense themselves.

The Rays rested while Canterbury and FBA battled for two quarters, with FBA winning, 7-0, on a last-second touchdown.

The Rays were more competitive when they returned to the field for two quarters against Canterbury, who is coming off a 6-6 season. The Rays were 4-6 last season, competing in the upstart Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAA). They return to the Florida High School Athletic Association this season, competing in the newly created Independent League (See Rays Returning to FHSAA, Coastal Breeze News, May 14-20).

“Against Canterbury,” Costante said, "our guys, all 22 of them, gave it their all. They never gave up. They kept going to the last whistle. And that's what I asked of them. You know, when we had that little break between games, that's what I told them. I said, ‘Listen, we gave up the first half against FBA. It was a really good team. Canterbury is someone who's on our schedule.' So we wanted to go out and look good against them. And we held our own, I thought. Made a few stops. We had some plays on offense. Now we turn our focus to our summer workouts and things like that. Then, July 27 is when the season starts again. So we're excited."