Published: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Updated: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Palmetto wins, gets back to .500

PALMETTO — Marquis Green just had to embrace playing the running back position. At first, it was hard for Palmetto High’s junior running back. He was a defensive back with a defensive frame of mind. He liked delivering the blow, not absorbing them. It was for the team, so Green took over the reigns at tailback for the Tigers this season, and he’s feeling more and more comfortable each week.

Just ask Naples Gulf Coast.

On Friday, Green gouged the Sharks defense for 177 yards and three touchdowns to lead host Palmetto to a 35-14 non-district victory.

“At first, I wasn’t with playing running back,” Green said. “But then I was like ‘Well, I will do it for the team. They need a running back, so I will go ahead and do it.”

And he did it well Friday.

Green, who has sprinter’s speed, burned Gulf Coast’s defense for touchdown runs of 23, 79 and 3 yards en route to arming the Tigers (4-4) with an early 20-0 cushion.

Palmetto won its third consecutive game.

“I felt I needed to get in the end zone,” the junior said. “My (offensive) line has been blocking really well. We work hard in practice, so this is nothing new.”

The Tigers offensive line gave senior quarterback Donald Campbell ample time to connect on 7-of-11 passes for 177 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown pass to Travontae Rhodes with two minutes left in the first quarter.

The Tigers are jelling at the perfect time with a showdown with Class 4A- District 11 foe Lakewood Ranch looming next week for a playoff berth.

“These kids fought and they rebounded,” Palmetto coach Raymond Woodie said. “This gives us momentum going into next week. All in all, the team played well.”

The Sharks tacked on two late touchdowns when Tyler Blajian returned a fumbled five yards for a score, and Stephen Ritter a punt 90 yards punt for another touchdown in the final quarter.

However, the Tigers defense limited the Sharks (3-5) to 202 yards of offense.

“Everybody played together, and everybody was on one beat,” linebacker Daqual Randall said. “We know we have to play Lakewood Ranch next week for the ticket to the playoffs, so everybody just worked hard and tried to do their best.”