Cape clocks the Cougars 56-0

Messick scores on interception and punt return

Jameson Tingle goes Jalen Hurts-style into the end zone, scoring on a sneak behind a heavy package. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

September 18, 2023

Foibles and fumbles plagued the outgunned Delcastle Cougars Sept. 15 at Legends Stadium, as they fell to Cape Henlopen 56-0.

Cape’s eight unanswered touchdowns began with a fumble recovery in the end zone by Jukai Payne on a would-be punt. That was followed by a 28-point second-quarter outburst that began with a Jameson Tingle quarterback sneak from the jumbo package, followed by a touchdown pass of 9 yards – an audible – from Tingle to Lucas Stevenson, a Jayden Messick 90-yard interception return and a Maurki James 4-yard touchdown run following a Dell Harris interception that put Cape back in the red zone.

The amplified voice from the press box, Andy Lewis, announced the running clock when the score got to be 35-0, prompting the referee to actually answer, “Not until the second half.”

“We weren’t playing that great, dropping some passes and missing some blocking assignments. I wasn't sure what any of it meant. I just thought we have some work to do,” said coach Mike Frederick, whose Vikings improved to 2-0 to start the season.

James scored on a pair of short runs in the third quarter, punctuated by a Quardell Richards 8-yard touchdown run as Cape began to resource its roster.

The final touchdown was scored on a 60-yard punt return by Messick.

Wilson Ingerski was a perfect 8-for-8 on extra-point attempts.

Drop back and pundit - Cape will play at Lake Forest Friday, Sept. 22. The Spartans opened the season with a pair of wins before losing 28-6 at Red Lion Sept. 15. Smyrna has opened the season 0-2, losing to Manheim Central of Pennsylvania 37-36 and Perkiomen Valley of Pennsylvania 46-38. The Eagles play at unbeaten Salesianum Sept. 22. Sussex Tech, under the direction of coach Brad Ellingsworth, improved to 3-0 on the season with a 41-14 win over Conrad. The Early College School Hornets, under first-year head coach Zach Hortsmyer, a former Cape assistant, beat A.I. du Pont 38-6 for the first win in program history. Delcastle was discombobulated to start the game when punting from its own end zone. There were only 10 players in punt formation; the punter recognized the shortage first because the player who was missing was the long snapper.