Is Naples’ football dominance in Collier County ending?

The 20-year dominance that the Golden Eagles have had throughout Collier County looks to be in jeopardy

NAPLES, FLORIDA- As the clock ticked down the seconds in the final moments of Thursday's stunning 30-19 victory by Golden Gate over Naples, it marked the first time the Titans had ever beaten the Golden Eagles. 

It also seemed to mark the possible ending of Collier County dominance by Naples in high school football. 

This isn't the first time in that the Golden Eagles have lost to an in-county opponent. They fell hard in 2020 in a 38-0 shellacking to Palmetto Ridge. This time, though, it came against a team they've never lost to. 

Last season's meeting with Golden Gate was a solid 38-14 victory and in 2021, a breeze in the park 57-0 beat down of the Titans. So this is something the Titans have been building towards for quite sometime when it comes to beating Naples. 

For the first time since Golden Gate's inception back in 2004 when they went 3-7 under Dave Tanner, it tasted victory over Naples. The Titans first loss to Naples came in 2005, falling 28-6 to the Golden Eagles that season. 

Two years later in 2007, Naples would go on to win the Class 3A state championship and finish perfect at 15-0. That season, Golden Gate would lose 43-7 to Naples. 

Now, 16 years later, the Titans can celebrate the weekend knowing they've finally broken through the Golden Eagles' curse. But now what's next for Naples? 

The 2022 season was supposed to be the year the Golden Eagles could get back to the state championship game. With the new metro-suburban-rural state series, it rid Naples of having to face off against the likes of Miami Central and Miami Northwestern in the playoffs. Those hopes were shattered by a surprising 14-7 loss to an upstart Dunbar team in the region final. 

It was back to the drawing board for Rick Martin and his program. Facing off against Venice in the spring, even though the game was a double-digit loss, the Golden Eagles showed signs of being just fine. That is, until they weren't on Thursday night at Staver Field, a place once feared by visiting opponents in Collier County. 

Two losses to in-county opponents in the last four seasons will continue to bring up the questions about Naples being the top dog no more? The Golden Eagles will certainly get chances to right the wrong of this short week as the season moves ahead. 

Upcoming contests against beatable teams like Killian, Barron Collier, Palmetto Ridge and Lely before facing an elite Plantation American Heritage on Oct. 20. Golden Gate's upset win over Naples could give up and coming teams like Barron Collier and Lely confidence to pull off victories later on in the season. This would certainly begin the proverbial turning-of-the-page when it comes to Naples being at the top. 

This certainly is an overreaction of sorts for a football program that has proven over the test of time they can find ways to bounce back. It just really felt a little different this time around. 

It's just four games in for Naples, but the clock is ticking down on whether they can prove they're still the best in the 239. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl