Cape Region athletes shine this fall

From the joy of victory to the agony of defeat, Cape Region students experienced the ups and downs of high school athletics over the last few weeks. 

Beginning with Cape’s thrilling 1-0 win over Smyrna in the Division I field hockey championship, followed by dramatic wins for the Sussex Academy and Cape boys’ soccer teams – including a Sussex Academy state title – and continuing with ongoing deep runs by Cape’s football and unified football teams, the fall sports season has had its share of noteworthy performances.

Special kudos go to Cape’s field hockey team and Sussex Academy’s soccer team, both of which reached their goals of winning a title. For Cape, it was the 11th championship since 2011. For Sussex Academy, it was the program’s first – certainly one that will be remembered. 

Cape soccer nearly joined the group, as it reached the Division I final before falling 4-2 to Salesianum.

The Cape football team avenged a loss to Dover earlier in the season by defeating the Senators 25-20 in the state tournament Nov. 17. It was the football program’s first playoff win in nearly 40 years. The Vikings hope to keep it going and flip the script on Sussex Central this weekend, another team they lost to earlier this season. 

Cape’s unified football team remains in the hunt for a state title, too. The Vikings defeated Smyrna 47-38 to advance to the semifinals against Newark Charter. 

There were plenty of other accomplishments this fall. The Sussex Academy girls’ cross country team won Sussex County and Henlopen Conference titles. Cape’s boys’ team won the Sussex County championship. Individually, Cape’s top runner Jason Baker finished third at the state meet, while Indian River’s Brynn Crandell, a four-time conference champ, won the girls’ meet. 

Volleyball teams from Cape, Sussex Academy and Delmarva Christian each reached the state tournament this season, as did Sussex Academy’s hockey team. 

There are many other local athletes and teams from middle school to junior varsity that put together strong performances this fall. To those mentioned and those we may have missed, congratulations on a job well done.