From Surf to Turf

Each day Kyler Howard and Noah Annicelli hurry to put away the beach chairs, cushions, and umbrellas at Paul’s Beach Rentals on Marco Beach. Then they hop in their cars and head straight to Manta Ray Field to help coach the Marco Island Academy football team.

“The Beach Boys,” said head coach Lew Montgomery with a laugh. "I just love that they just want to be around these guys. They're not getting paid. I mean, they are just here for the love of these guys. And they get excited and they encourage them. It's that big brother thing. They've been there. It’s like they're real nostalgic for not getting to play anymore. And they're like, 'Listen, fellas, there's only a small window of time to take advantage of this, to play this game. And you can't play it forever."

There is a palpable increase in enthusiasm when the Beach Boys roll in from the beach.

“We definitely feel that,” said Annicelli, who was a good enough center at St. John Neumann that he had a chance to play college football at St. Olaf, in Minnesota. "I like helping kids get better and make them develop a new trait and possibly get them to the next level and possibly get them to win some games next year."

“I enjoy helping out the kids,” said Howard, a former standout quarterback for the Rays. "Actually putting them to work. I used to go there, so it means a lot to me to see these kids succeed. Overall, I just miss the sport. I love going back out there.”

"I just feel like we bring more energy,” said the gregarious Annicelli, "and the kids see that and they replicate that."

Howard agrees.

 "I feel like the more energy we bring,” Howard said, "the more they're willing to work. They see how determined we are. And when they see how determined we are, they want to be just as determined as us."

“It’s very cool,” Montgomery said. "They’re the Beach Boys. They bring good energy,”