Prep football season about to begin
North Fort Myers Red Knights looking for continued success
It’s that time of year once again where shoulder pads are being strapped on, chin straps are being tightened and high school football programs start chomping at the bit to get back onto the field.
Friday nights are about to get turned up across Southwest Florida as countless talented teams call the region home after a season shortened by Hurricane Ian.
The Breeze will highlight West Zone and other local teams leading into the regular season to give fans an early look at their favorite team. We sat down with each head coach and select players a series of questions on what they expect from their program.
Look for continued coverage of local high school programs on the North Fort Myers Neighbor website as we continue the journey to Friday nights where the lights shine the brightest.
North Fort Myers High School
Head Coach: David Pasquale (1st year; previously OC)
2022 record: 7-2 (3-0 District)
Competes in: 3S District 14
Preseason: Aug. 18 at Charlotte High School
Week 1: Aug. 25 at East Lee County
The defending district champs have a new, yet familiar face taking over the reins of the program, as David Pasquale, who has served as offensive coordinator since 2019, is now head coach taking over for Dwayne Mack, who stepped down. The Red Knights look to continue their winning ways over the last five years, and are the favorites to come out on top of the district again. The Red Knights graduated several playmakers, but a deep roster and committed coaching staff always have the next man ready to go.
How do you feel as a program heading into the season?
“We’ve done a good job through the spring and summer. So far through fall camp, we’ve gotten better every day,” Pasquale said. “We’re not where we need to be, but we’re trending in that direction. I think it’s promising where we’re at. We’re young. We have six seniors. We graduated 23 seniors last year. So, really making sure that we take advantage of every day, get as many reps as possible and opportunities for young men to be in a position to learn about the game and situations, is really important.”
Expectations from the team on and off the field?
“That they’re leaders in our community I think is important. They know where I stand on the standards of academic excellence. Being a good member of the community. And trying to be the best version of yourself every day in practice.”
How do you plan to build off of last season?
“We were a very good football team last year. We had some very good pieces. Some of those pieces are back. For us it’s just taking every opportunity, every rep, every game day we get to continue to build and climb that mountain, because every week it doesn’t get easier.”
How would you describe your coaching style/team identity?
“The standard is the standard. At the end of the day, the only way I can make you better is if you’re here, you take coaching and you learn. Not much has changed — some philosophies. Dwayne Mack did a great job, obviously. The blueprint was there, it’s just a matter of taking it and putting your own touch on it. I want an aggressive, nasty, gritty (team). I’ve always said it like this: ‘At North Fort Myers, we’re built different.’ And I want that to be our mentality when we go into a game every Friday night.”
What do you hope to take as a whole from this upcoming season?
“Knowing that I left every stone unturned to make sure a kid has an opportunity to continue on in whatever it is they want to do post-football. And I think that’s the most important thing, is making sure these young men are in a position that they can achieve whatever it is they want to do once they walk across the stage in May.”
Expected challenges?
“I think the biggest challenge right now is that we’re practicing in the morning — we’re going at 6 a.m. I think when we go back to school our guidelines and expectations with the wet bulb and the weather. Making sure that we get into those scenarios where it’s a limited practice or we’re in the gym. We can’t lose a day. Days stack, and we have to stack as many days as we can.”
Players to watch this year?
• Virgil Maloy, RB/SS, 2024
• Bryce Duross, QB, 2024
• Adrian Stone, DL, 2024
What has the team chemistry been like so far with the team?
“With only six seniors, it’s important for us to step up as leaders — especially leading 70 other kids. That’s most important. Training camp so far has been fun, and it’s been good to see how each kid has developed and putting the pieces together. It’s exciting.” – Duross
“The seniors we have now, we are taking our chemistry from our previous seasons together and showing the younger guys what chemistry is and the brotherhood there needs to be to succeed at the next level and pursue what we want to accomplish.” – Stone
What do you think will make this group successful?
“I just think it comes down to consistency. Just getting there every day, doing what we have to do, and doing it at 110%.” – Maloy
“I have faith coach (Pasquale) will lead us to success and keep us on track. Showing up every day is a big one — it’s a must, almost. And it’s showing up Monday through Thursday, and on Friday night, getting off the field knowing you gave everything you had.” – Duross
How has the coaching staff pushed you to be your best heading into the year?
“I feel like the coaches are like our second fathers, and do stuff for us we really appreciate to help us become the young, successful young men we need to be. Coaches are on us about taking leadership, being there for each other, and telling us what we need to do right.” – Stone
“A lot of things they do will go unnoticed, but what they’ve done for all of us sticks with you and will stick with us for a lifetime.” – Duross
“I feel like they’re really setting the Yellow Brick Road here with me for football — teaching me how to lead, be a bigger person, just to get me and us where we need to be.” – Maloy
— Connect with Associate Sports Editor CJ Haddad on Twitter: @haddad_cj