Cape unified flag football falls to Charter in semis

The Cape unified team fell 40-30 to Newark Charter Nov. 28. The members are (standing l-r) coach Theresa McCloy, Chloe Wood, Harry Preston, Alejandro Alvarez-Roman, William Mastrangelo, Mason Furman, Aiden Block, Luke Picard, Ethan Carney, Brycen Stewart, Martin Silva, Ellis Jack, Hank Anderson, Dalen Daminger, Garrett Thawley, Jackson Wood, Casiya Chandler, Mallory Kauffman, Peyton Lamson-Reich and coach Drew Messick and (kneeling l-r) Maddie Mastriana, Isaiah Magathan, Noah Ryan, Noah Wilson, Tony Palmer, Ronnie LeRoy, Mackenzie Leos, Connor Pencek, Mason Trench, Eddie Ghabour and Charlotte Maxwell. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

November 29, 2023

The Cape unified flag football team’s 2023 season came to an end with a 40-30 loss to Newark Charter in the DIAA semifinals Nov. 28 at Robert W. Gore Stadium in Newark. The Vikings finish with a 5-3 record.

The teams battled it despite a wind chill in the single digits. The competition on the turf was hot, as the teams traded first-drive scores and went into the halftime break tied at 6-6. The second half had the teams exchanging scores until the five-minute mark, when the Vikings scored and were down 25-24. Coach Drew Messick turned to his team and said, “You want to go for the one-point tie or go for the two-point win?” There was no question that the team wanted the win. But the missed two-point conversion gave the Vikings added incentive to continue battling. A key injury and a little bad luck led the Patriots to two more scores. Cape scored once more to narrow the deficit to 40-30 with two minutes left, but the home team ran out the clock to garner victory.

The Vikings were led by Tony Palmer’s four touchdowns, two of which were set up by long runs by Conner Pencek. Dalen Daminger and Harry Preston each had a touchdown. Palmer and Pencek also impressed on defense, making multiple sacks on the Patriots’ quarterback for big losses.

“Great game and great season,” said Cape coach Drew Messick. “The team worked hard. They learned to work together to become a team that was capable of winning the state championship. Coach [Theresa] McCloy and I always emphasize becoming better citizens by the end of the season. That is why we are here. Mission accomplished. The athletes/partners are great.”

The Charter and Cape teams met at midfield to congratulate each other on a great game. Each team left it all on the turf.

“It was really cool making it to the semifinals,“ said Vikings senior Noah Ryan. “We didn’t make it to the finals, but it’s great just making it this far.”