Cape wins 37-30 shootout
WAUCHULA — As Jaylen Watkins scored the game’s opening touchdown on a 93-yard reverse from Spencer Boyd on the kickoff, Cape Coral looked to be the much superior squad against the much smaller Class 3A Hardee Wildcats.
The Wildcats put up a fight, though, taking the game down to the final minutes. Size and depth prevailed as the Seahawks earned a key non-district win Friday night 37-30.
Cape Coral ran just 34 offensive plays, and the offense had possession for just 17:40 seconds, but heading into halftime the Seahawks owned a commanding 30-14 lead. With all the momentum going into the half, it looked like nothing would stop them.
“I thought we didn’t have the ball for two digit numbers in the second half,” coach Mike Goebbel said. “They (Hardee) controlled the ball really well. We tried for 60 offensive plays, and they cut us in half. They did a great job tonight.”
After trading three-and-outs to start the second half, the Wildcats marched down the field on a 97-yard, 15-play drive, that spanned 7:12, capped by Jarrius Lindsay’s TD. After a two-point conversion run by Lindsay, the Seahawks found themselves ahead just 30-22.
The Seahawks bounced back, maybe too quickly after the defense was on the field for so long. Watkins tried for a first down on a quarterback sneak, but fumbled, and miraculously picked up the ball and scampered 45 yards top add a vital seven points to the lead 37-22.
Hardee responded with another long 5:30 drive of 68 yards with Jake Mayer punching it into the end zone. The Wildcats were down just seven with 6:23 left in the fourth.
Hardee surprised everyone with an onside kick and retained possession and with momentum on their side on the Wildcat 49-yard line.
Despite being on the field for 31 minutes, 20 seconds of the game, the jello-legged Cape Coral defense held on fourth-and-six at the Seahawk 33.
Hardee quarterback Ezayi Youyoute threw a pass to running back Kelsheem White, which would’ve given Hardee a first down, into tight double coverage. The pass was dropped, and 1:49 seconds later, Cape Coral escaped with a win.
Leading the defense was lineman Brian Justice, who wrapped up a game-high 14 tackles, while fellow lineman Matt Casola totaled six tackles and sacked Youyoute four times.
“Brian is the tackling machine for our defense. He’s in the middle of the defense and has done a great job all year,” Goebbel said. “He’s our leading tackler and Brian Justice is just one phenomenal defensive player with a great nose for the ball.”
The Seahawks host arch-rival Mariner in the annual Black ‘n Blue Bowl next Friday night.
Cape Coral 7 23 7 0 — 37
Hardee Co. 7 7 8 8 — 30
First Quarter
CC — Jaylen Watkins 93 kickoff return (Kenton Beal kick)
HC — Jarrius Lindsay 2 run (Martin Vega kick)
Second Quarter
CC — FG, Beal 30
CC — Prince Holloway 23 pass from Collin Saring (kick failed)
HC — Ezayi Youyote 13 run (Vega kick)
CC — Larry Gary 6 pass from Watkins (Beal kick)
Third Quarter
HC — Lindsay 1 run (Kelsheem White run)
Fourth Quarter
CC — Watkins 45 run (Beal kick)
HC — Jake Mayer 3 run (Antjuan Jones run)