Football’s long preseason transitions into short game week

Cape football, under new head coach Mike Frederick, broke a long camp Friday night with a home scrimmage against Delcastle. The team now transitions into a short game week, as the Vikings open against Salesianum at Abessinio Stadium Thursday, Sept. 1. 

A Cape cadre of 70 players, which includes 30 ninth-graders, met Saturday morning for some light stretching and running before reviewing the scrimmage and taking a look at the upcoming week's practice schedule.

The team elected four captains for the season – Ryan Betins, Nate Horn, L.T. Messick and Brenn Scott. 

Betins, Horn and Messick all sat out the final scrimmage, but each is expected to be physically cleared to play for the opener versus Salesianum. 

“We didn’t set up the preseason to win scrimmages, but to learn things about our players and to develop depth on both sides of the football,” Frederick said. “In some facets of the game, we are not as far along as we had hoped to be, but we will get there.” 

Cape will dress 45 players on game night, including four freshmen.

“All uniformed players have a chance to see the field as backups or on special teams,” Frederick said. 

Cape will run a spread offense using multiple formations. 

The scrimmage against the Cougars was a 15-and-15 arrangement followed by down-and-distance situations. 

The Vikings drove the ball behind a solid offensive line and the running of sophomore Maurki James. Sophomore Jaden Messick, freshman Quardell Richards and senior C.J. Fritchman can also carry the mail. 

Senior Joe Coveleski will get the nod at quarterback. Junior Lucas Stevenson can carry the ball and he can catch it.

Senior Keishawn Mansfield is an old-school athletic game breaker who plays wideout and defensive corner, and has also played some quarterback.