Cape football wins at William Penn 42-6
Cape football beat Willian Penn on the road 42-6 Sept. 17, a win coming on the heels of a 42-26 victory over Woodbridge.
The Vikings opened the season with a strong showing at Salesianum Sept. 1, losing 28-21.
The questions being asked around the Cape football community are a myriad of “excuses are for winners” postulates. “Is Cape that good or are these other teams just that bad? Is Sallies as strong as they usually are or have they fallen off?”
“I’d tell people to come out to the games and see for themselves,” said coach Mike Frederick. “Physically and athletically, we can play with anyone on our schedule, and I think our kids now believe that. We are making mistakes that are correctable through coaching and practice, so we can get better. We will have to be better playing the stronger teams on the schedule.”
Cape got three touchdowns from Keishawn Mansfield, two from Maurki James and one from L.T. Messick. Joe Coveleski was 11-for-12 with two touchdowns and an interception. Kicker Wilson Ingerski was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points and is now 15-for-15 on the season.
Cape scored on its first two possessions on short runs by James, who rushed 17 times for 117 yards.
William Penn, big up front and athletic in the backfield, drove the ball in the second quarter and scored to close the gap to 14-6. The Colonials elected to go for two after a Cape offside penalty on the extra point. Jaden Messick, who had nine solo tackles and a fumble recovery in the game, came off the edge to tackle the runner for no gain.
Cape drove on its next possession, with Coveleski keeping the ball on a fourth-down option, cutting back for a crucial first down. Coveleski then hit Mansfield for a 12-yard touchdown pass as the Vikings took a 21-6 lead into halftime.
“This offense is about all of us,” Mansfield said. “The defense has to stop Maurki, but we have guys who can go the distance at any time.”
Coveleski hit Mansfield with a 45-yard touchdown pass to open the third quarter and extend the lead to 28-6.
Coach Frederick yelled out to kicker Ingerski, “Kick it into the end zone!” Ingerski kicked a low line drive that bounced off the up man’s helmet and was recovered by Jaden Messick. Two plays later, L.T. Messick took a jet sweep to his right and cut it upfield for a 43-yard touchdown and a 35-6 Cape lead.
Mansfield, a starting defensive back and wide receiver who is also the backup quarterback, was sent into the game with time running out in the third quarter with orders from the sidelines to hold onto the football.
Mansfield took a jab step – called a Euro step in the NBA – and went 53 yards straight up the middle for a touchdown, which started the clock and the Cape bus running.
Cape will host a strong Dover team at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23.
