MIA Celebrates Homecoming

On the field the scrappy Marco Island Academy Rays had their hands full with a physical Keswick Christian team Friday night, October 29, bowing 46-3, but at halftime it was all smiles as the school crowned a new homecoming queen and king.

Cheerleader Haylen Irvan is this year’s homecoming queen and Ben Macko, an injured football player, is this year’s king.

Rays fans also stepped up by raising over $500 so the thespian club could paint the face of several school administrators, including principal Melissa Scott and dean of students Kevin Ray.

As they have all season, the Rays (0-7) played hard-nosed football, but just couldn’t keep up with Keswick (4-4), who attacked through the air and on the ground.

With one game left, at home against Moore Haven on Friday, November 5, Rays first year head coach Lew Montgomery remains upbeat about his young team.

“This team, we’re looking at our mettle,” Montgomery said, "what we’re made of. The brotherhood, the resiliency, not giving up. Literally, Nick Vergo blocking that extra point. That’s not giving up. He’s playing with pain. But he’s playing. They were all playing. They did it the right way. My players kept their wits and character about ‘em. They stayed together. Played the game the way we want them to play the game, as far as Xs and Os. My boys - my men - they fought. Obviously, there were a lot of battles we didn’t win. But we were battling. As long as we’re battling, we’ll learn how to win the battles. And I believe that. The seniors stepped up. They led from the field and from the sideline."