Cape plays solid football against strong DMA squad

Cape’s Ben Weathersby intercepted a Delaware Military Academy pass on the first play of the game-situation scrimmage Aug. 31 at Legends Stadium and picked his way east to west then north to south for a touchdown. He’s a 6-foot-3, smooth athlete playing cornerback, and coaches told Ben, “That’s the player you can be if you stop being so damn nice.”

The DMA Seahawks were 9-1 last season before losing to Delmar in the first round of the Division II state tournament. They were a good test for Cape, which will open the season Friday, Sept. 7, on the road against defending state champion Delmar.

“Delmar, defending state champs, returns a lot of starters. We are only returning five from last year’s team,” said coach J.D. Maull said. “We have to make it a 12-round fight and battle. If we are close at the end of the third quarter, we will win!”

That’s not coach Maull pounding his chest; it’s been his philosophy since he started football. “Salesianum Death March,” Maull laughed, borrowing a term Seaford coach Ron Dickerson used to describe coach George Glenn’s Sallies teams.  

Cape used a short field the last drive of the scrimmage and ran a niche package using big backs hustling to the line and running inside. Roy Jones, a converted guard, had several carries, including scoring a touchdown.

“We are not where we need to be right now,” Maull said. “This is a process we need all the players to buy into, and also the administration and community. And eventually I need to be in the high school.”

Maull currently teaches phys ed at Mariner.

“Building relationships is my strength. I am the only head football coach of a Delaware public high school not in the building,” he said.

Back to blocking and tackling, the Vikings looked much better against DMA than they did a week earlier at Hodgson, especially on defense. They are developing depth and providing some respite to the frontline two-way players.

“Dave Hearn of Delmar is one of the best football minds in Delaware, and his team has great speed,” Maull said. “We will see Friday night how we respond.”