Cape Coral won a thriller over Immokalee, Dunbar topped South Fort Myers and Gulf Coast ran past Aubrey Rogers.
Those were just some of the storylines from Week 9 of the 2026 high school football season in Southwest Florida.
To honor the players who stood out, The News-Press and Naples Daily News hand out their Game Balls for the top efforts each week. Here are the honorees for this week's games.
Arrie Davis Jr., Bishop Verot
David returned a blocked punt 24 yards for a touchdown and also had a 45-yard interception return for another score as Bishop Verot defeated Fort Pierce Central.
JJ Exantus, Naples
Exantus rushed for two touchdowns in the Golden Eagles win over Golden Gate.
Jy German, Bishop Verot
The senior blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown and also returned a free kick 70 yards for a score in the Vikings' win over Fort Pierce Central.
Eddie Gore, Dunbar
Gore rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' win over South Fort Myers.
Gio Marenco, Gulf Coast
Marenco rushed for 301 yards and three touchdowns in the Sharks' win over Aubrey Rogers.
Youvensley Methelus, Immokalee
The junior running back rushed 28 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the Indians' 35-27 loss at Cape Coral.
Kaedyn Palmer, Fort Myers
Palmer rushed for two touchdowns and also returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score in the Green Wave's win over Gateway.
Brandon Seabrook, Dunbar
Seabrook passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing score as the Tigers defeated South Fort Myers.
TJ Schley, Cape Coral
The senior returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown and came down with a game-sealing interception in the Seahawks' win over Immokalee.
Maddox Stewart, Estero
The senior quarterback threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats defeated Barron Collier.
SWFL Week 9 results
Thursday
Fort Myers 36, Gateway 14
Friday
Dunbar 48, South Fort Myers 26
Naples 73, Golden Gate 7
Gulf Coast 55, Aubrey Rogers 35
Cape Coral 35, Immokalee 27
Estero 43, Barron Collier 15
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Bishop Verot 42, Fort Pierce Central 3
Charlotte 47, North Fort Myers 0
Carrollwood Day 63, Community School of Naples 6
Lehigh 22, North Port 20
Port Charlotte 62, Mariner 6
Monsignor Pace 44, Lely 7
Island Coast 41, Bonita Springs 35
Oasis 28, Ida Baker 16
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Westminster Academy 51, Palmetto Ridge 21
Keswick Christian 16, SFCA 7
Maclay 47, First Baptist 20
Marathon 42, Marco Island 14
East Lee County at Riverdale
Gateway Charter at Canterbury
Palm Beach Christian at LaBelle
Miami Archbishop Carroll at ECS
Week 10 schedule
Friday, Oct. 23
Cape Coral at Charlotte
Riverdale at Immokalee
Barron Collier at Naples
Bishop Verot at Cypress Lake
Estero at Aubrey Rogers
Gulf Coast at Golden Gate
Port Charlotte at Fort Myers
First Baptist at Community School of Naples, 7 p.m.
Island Coast at Lely
Mariner at South Fort Myers
Palmetto Ridge at Ida Baker
Lehigh at Lakewood Ranch
Ransom Everglades at St. John Neumann
ECS at SFCA, 7 p.m.
LaBelle at Bonita Springs
Gateway at Oasis, 7 p.m.
Canterbury at Sarasota Out-of-Door, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Game balls for SW Florida high school football top Week 9 performers