Canterbury is Too Much for the Rays

The Marco Island Academy Rays took on a tough, veteran squad at Canterbury High School Thursday night. And despite their typical all-out effort, the Rays came out on the losing end of a 49-0 score.

Canterbury scored early and often, entertaining their Senior Night crowd with a running clock in the second half. The loss drops the Rays to 0-5 on the season. Canterbury improves to 3-2.

“I’m just disappointed for the seniors,” said head coach Lew Montgomery. "Nick Vergo and Luke McLain are two seniors who are willing to sacrifice everything. To the point that as coaches we had to pull them. Because they’re dinged up to the point that they’re going to hurt themselves worse. That’s not fair to them. I want them healthy for the last two weeks. These are two great athletes who have great futures ahead of them in whatever sport they choose. We have to make sure we’re protecting them.”

Montgomery is proud of this of other seniors, too.

"Giray Uzen is really starting to come on,” Montgomery said. "Ben Macko has earned his way back. I’m so proud of these seniors. And Quintin Fitton, he’s another one, when some of the other guys got hurt, he stepped up. We’re so proud of him.”

Montgomery is counting on senior leadership to get his squad through the final two weeks of the season.

"These seniors will lead us,” Montgomery said. "The seniors are taking on that responsibility to keep this program moving forward the next two weeks, to say this is important what we’ve done here. This is building for a future that we want to be proud of. We have two weeks left to set the tone and make our mark. I have a feeling they’re going to do what it takes to make that happen. We’re really excited to have two home games coming up. This game hurt, but I’m glad that we have two more games. We’re still the same program. And I believe the kids have not lost faith. They’re still showing up. They’re responding the right way. They’re not turning on each other, they’re not turning on the coaches. If anything, they wanted me to come screaming at them after the game. They feel this quiet disappointment is the worst thing that could happen to them. That is what is crushing them - that I am disappointed. And I think the fact that they respect me that much tells me we’re doing the right thing. But it hurts. It’s not going to be for nothing."