ROGER LALONDE / Staff

Marco moms, all with Lely football players, rang their cowbells happily on Friday night in the Trojans win over Golden Gate, 47-20. They hope top do the same tonight in Lely's Homecoming game against St. John Neumann. From left, are Anna Niznick, whose son is Wayne, Doobie Conroy, whose son is Levi and Anne Keaney, whose son is Neil. All three boys play on defense.

ROGER LALONDE / Roger LaLOnde

Marco moms, all with Lely football players, rang their cowbells happily on Friday night in the Trojans win over Golden Gate, 47-20. They hope to do the same Friday night in Lely's Homecoming game against St. John Neumann. From left, are Anna Niznick, whose son is Wayne, Doobie Conroy, whose son is Levi and Anne Keaney, whose son is Neil. All three boys play on defense.

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It will be the little army against the big army when St. John Neumann plays at Lely High at 7:30 Friday.

The Celtics will be trying to knock off the Trojans with fewer players, but as big in heart.

Coach Steve Howey knows he has a mountain to climb with his 1A Celtics facing the 3A Trojans on Lely’s homecoming weekend.

Last year’s Celtics, a very experienced team with more size, may have fared better in a year where the Celtics are playing Collier County public schools for the first time.

The Celtics first experience was a loss to Golden Gate, a team that hasn’t won since.

“We are looking forward to the game,” Howey says of Lely. “We are like FIU playing Miami, or Appalachian State playing Michigan, looking for the upset. We are the under dogs. We are OK with that, it’s Lely that has to beat us.”

Howey understands the homecoming weekend and its distractions.

“There is an awful lot going around the game,” he says from experience. “Maybe we can get ahead early and force them to do things they don’t like to do.”

Pricer admits to the homecoming distractions.

“Kids are thinking about getting a date, getting flowers, going to the dance,” he says. “I pray our kids come out ready to play. This has not been a good practice week for the offense. Defensively, the kids have worked hard. Coach (Dave) Miller and his coaches have prepared the defense well, while our offense seems sluggish.”

When asked if feeling confident about the game, Pricer is hesitant.

“On paper we may look like the favorite, but no games have been won on paper,” he says. “You have to go out and play the game. They (Celtics) have had two weeks to get ready and that alone is a concern.”

“The Weapon” is what makes Pricer feel good about the game, while it makes Howey more than a bit nervous.

Darian Hall, Lely’s running back who has gained more than 800 yards rushing and 1,100 all purpose yards in four games, is ready to go.

“We know we have to keep him (Hall) running between the tackles,” Howey says. Our defensive ends, Brett Reynolds and Ian Leon, have to have a great game. If Hall gets outside he could be gone.”

John Principe, Lely offensive coordinator, says Hall, a junior, is special.

“He has that extra gear, that few players have,” Principe says. “We know their Celtics defense and how they like to adjust during the play call. We’ll have to be ready to pick up their blitzes. I think their lack of depth will be an advantage for us.”

However, Principe quickly says, “They have an outstanding coach. He does an outstanding job with a very limited number of players. At the same time his skill players are as good as any skill players we’ll see.”