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Football Player of the Week

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One way or another, Jaylen Watkins was expected to be an impact player for the Cape Coral Seahawks this season. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior already has made several big plays, playing cornerback and receiver, but was called upon at quarterback Friday at Naples.

Watkins played the position before at the Pop Warner level, but this was his first significant action in a regular season varsity game. The stakes were high and the Seahawks were trailing powerhouse Naples 14-0.

“I fumbled the first snap and I was like “oh, man,” Watkins said. “Then I kind of got used to it.”

The Daily Breeze Football Player of the Week nearly sparked the Seahawks (2-1) to one of their biggest wins ever.

Trailing by two touchdowns, Watkins scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to the get the Seahawks on the board. He also had a 66-yard touchdown run and threw a 31-yard TD pass in the Seahawks’ third-quarter surge.

Naples scored a last-second touchdown after a controversial pass interference call, and added a two-point conversion to defeat Cape 36-35.

Still, Watkins said it’s a performance the team can build on.

“I thought it would be bothering us all weekend,” he said, “but just knowing we can play up to our potential in a game like that, it should help us.”

Watkins lives in Fort Myers, but decided as a freshman to attend Cape High. His grandfather, Rev. Sam Watkins, works in security at the school.

In addition to football, he participates in track, specializing in the 100-meter and 4×100 relay.

On the gridiron, Watkins emerged as a freshman. He moved up to varsity after four JV games.

He played receiver and defensive back the past two seasons, and recorded seven interceptions last year.

Watkins and senior Colin Saring are now sharing the signal-calling duties.

Honorable mentions:

Rafaelito Palazzolo, senior, Ida Baker: Fullback-linebacker scored on a two-yard run and returned an interception 35 yards for a score in the Bulldogs’ 43-0 win over Estero.

Schon Thomas, Bishop Verot: Thomas, a junior running back, found the end zone three times in the Vikings’ 33-0 win at LaBelle.