The Marco Island Academy high school football team has been showing amazing progress and a lot of determination this season, proving that hard work and teamwork can truly pay off. From long practices after school to early 5:00 A.M warmups, the players have dedicated countless hours trying to improve their skills and positions while representing our school with pride.

     On October 17, 2025, the team faced off against Canterbury in a tough matchup. Even though the Rays came up short on the scoreboard, they still showed effort, communication, and sportsmanship. Our Manta Rays have something that can’t be learned – Grit. We spoke with two of the team captains, John Jules, and Matthew Asbell, who shared their thoughts on how the team has been growing this season. From John, he says, “we are set in the right direction, and we’re gonna do good in the next home game this Friday coming up.” Matthew added a message with pride saying “slay the day as a ray,” we are definitely going to win this game.

     Even in defeat, the team’s positive attitude never faltered. Their bonds and drive to keep improving continue to bring more excitement to the field. With each game, the Marco Island Academy’s football team is building more than just skills; they’re building a strong team bond.