Cape football defeats Polytech 34-18 in offensive battle

Vikings get big win on Senior Night

The Vikings celebrated the Class of 2020 during the pregame ceremony. Shown standing are (l-r) William Tyndall, Maurice Sheppard, Angel Ramon Wong, Felix Harmon, Jonathan Rodriguez and Damian McFeaters. In front are Kevin Williams and Davonte Johnson. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

October 28, 2019

The Vikings put out their best offensive performance since Nov. 3, 2017, with a 34-18 victory over the visiting Panthers on Cape’s Senior Night.

Junior Jaden Davis was an offensive workhouse for the Vikings, running for 165 yards on 23 carries. He had more than 300 all-purpose yards, opening the scoring with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. He also caught a 10-yard pass from Hank D’Ambrogi for a touchdown and rushed for a late one-yard score.

“It’s my first win ever at home,” said the Cape junior. “We really wanted that one, and it was Senior Night, and we wanted to send them out with a win. We needed this win.”

Polytech’s Brian Johnson came right back with a two-yard plunge for the score. The point after was blocked.

D’Ambrogi got his name in the scoring column, as he scooped up the ball and dove a yard into the end zone for the second touchdown.

Poly came right back with a two-yard run by Caleb Tascione and a 51-yard run for Braden Moran to finish the Panthers’ scoring at 18.

Cape senior Damian McFeaters snagged a 30-yard reception and scampered into the end zone to make it 31-18.

Davis then got the touchdown hat trick with a one-yard run to give the 2-6 Vikings the 34-18 win over the 1-7 Panthers.

Austin Carey went 3-for-4 on PATs.

“Jaden had a great game,” said Cape head coach J.D. Maull. “He just goes, man. He just goes. He never complains. He’s having a great year.”

Maull was quick to praise his players.

“With some guys out with injuries, Daniel Saez came in and played great at running back,” he said. ”Damian [McFeaters] had a nice catch for a touchdown, and the offensive line did a great job. Lucas [Ruppert] is a tough kid and we ask a lot of him, and he performs. It’s hard to think of him as a 15-year-old. Jonathan Rodriguez also had a lot of good hits. He had a great sack for us which caused a fumble.

“We are excited about the win,” Maull continued. “Poly is a scrappy team and they played well, but our kids got through it and they got a good win.”

The Vikings will travel to Smyrna Friday, Nov. 1, to face the 6-2 Eagles.

Cape’s Jaden Davis takes the opening kickoff 80 yards for the first touchdown of the game. He finished with a touchdown hat trick.

Cape offensive linemen Josh Ieppert, left, and Lucas Ruppert block Polytech linebacker Aron-Prearre Johnson.

Cape’s Maurice Sheppard wrangles down Polytech’s Brian Johnson.

Ja'Vaughn Burton picks off a Polytech pass and sets up a Vikings touchdown with the run back.

Out of the way! Josiah Miller lead blocks for the Vikings.

Cape’s Thomas Messick picks off a Braden Moran pass.

A touching moment. Panthers captain Trent Jaksch, center, carries his brother Collin's jersey to honor him. The Polytech receiver and outside linebacker suffered a severe head injury during the Panthers’ football game at Dover High last Friday night.