Cape unified beats Smyrna 47-38 to advance to semifinals

For the third time in 2023, a Cape Henlopen fall sports team has secured a spot in a DIAA semifinals game.

The Cape unified flag football team’s 47-38 victory over Smyrna Nov. 16 set up a showdown with Newark Charter Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Leading the way for the Vikings was senior Tony Palmer, who sprinted his way to four touchdowns and one sack. 

“It's been a pleasure having Tony out here because he's grown as a player in the four years,” said coach Drew Messick.

Fellow senior Connor Pencek was also a terror on both sides of the ball, scoring twice and collecting a safety to go along with a sack. 

Cape assistant coach Theresa McCloy noted there were also outstanding efforts from Luke Pickard, Aidan Block, Ethan Carney and Noah Ryan on the defensive side of the ball.

Pitching in offensively, seniors Charlotte Maxwell and Alejandro Alvarez-Roman had a few plays between them to put points on the board for the Vikings. Maxwell scored a touchdown, leading to a party from the Cape marching band, and Alvarez-Roman had a fantastic run to make a two-point conversion. Junior Randolph Adams had a hand in things as well, actually two of them, as he caught a one-point conversion and came through with a crucial catch on fourth down to keep a drive going.

“I feel good,” said Messick. “We are a better team now than we were at the beginning of the year. As a coach, that's all you can want,” Messick said.

Randolph’s twin, Sophia, was noted by Messick as contributing on offense, while senior Garret Thawley had an impressive run in the winning effort.