Start a season 3-0-1 — as the upstart Estero freshman football team has done — and it wouldn’t be surprising to see others jumping on your bandwagon.

Or the bus.

Even with a roster chocked full of players brand new to football, the Wildcats have been producing success on the field.

It all starts off the field.

"When we’re on a bus ride, they don’t talk about their girlfriends. They don’t talk about anything but football and what we have to accomplish when we get there," defensive coordinator John Wheeler said.

What the Wildcats have accomplished so far is an undefeated season. The latest bullet added to the youngsters’ resume — which already includes wins against North Fort Myers, Ida Baker and a tie against South Fort Myers — came last Thursday with a 20-0 victory against visiting Mariner.

Scoring could not have been more balanced.

Special teams: Dennis Fenner scored on a 70 yard kickoff return to start the game.

Offense: quarterback Ryan Sides dashed into the end zone on a 2-yard run.

Defense: after a huge hit by Ryan Withstandley jarred the ball loose from Mariner’s quarterback, Stephen McDaniel scooped up the fumble and raced 50 yards for the team’s third touchdown.

The victory was yet another example of a determined class that has quickly etched its way into the hearts on River Ranch Road.

"That’s what they’re talking about: the freshman team," Wheeler said.

So what’s been the secret to success on the freshman level in the new Rich Dombroski regime, which Wheeler was part of for three years in North Carolina?

"The kids have their heads in the right place," Wheeler said. "They know they’re not the biggest team. They know they’re not the fastest team. So they know they’ve got to be smarter and more disciplined. It’s been working."

Proof comes in the defense. Led by linebackers Anthony Prohaska and Sammy Garcia, the Wildcats pitched their second shutout. Lineman Tyler Thompson made a key solo stuff that halted an early Mariner drive on fourth down. The defense — half of which never played football until this fall — has yielded just 13 points all season.

"I couldn’t have asked for a better defensive performance tonight," said Wheeler. "Two touchdowns in four games. That’s not too bad."

Sides, Prohaska and Ivan Morales each snagged interceptions against Mariner.

On offense, Sides guided the team on a scoring drive that featured two completions to Withstandley and one each to running back Tyler Mitchell and wide receiver Zach Culvahouse.

When he drops back to pass, Sides can eye a wealth of targets which includes Withstandley, Mitchell, Culvahouse, Kent Cypher, Shea Flannery, Garrett Hodas and others.

What the Wildcats are eying this week is Cypress Lake, whom Estero visits on Thursday.

Reach Kevin Johnson at 213-6014 or www.kkjohnson@bonitanews.com