Seahawks settle for 32-32 tie
In a game with momentum swings on nearly every drive, Cape Coral and Riverdale opened with a preseason classic that had fans on the edge of their seats. The teams battled to a 32-32 draw.
“I would have liked to go out there and get the win,” said Cape coach Mike Goebbel. “This is a preseason game. Our guys are tired, their guys are tired, so we both agreed to call the game.”
The Raiders, who trailed by 15 in the fourth quarter, strung together two scoring drives in three minutes to tie the game with two minutes left.
Riverdale managed to take the ball away with 28 seconds left in the game that set up a desperation pass that fell incomplete as time expired.
The Seahawks struck first on the second play from scrimmage when Riverdale’s Garrett Greenwell fumbled, allowing Cape’s Larry Gary to scoop up the ball and return it 37 yards for a touchdown. The fumble was one of six Riverdale turnovers.
The Seahawks got a pair of 65-yard touchdown runs in the second half from Jeremy Davis and Pevin Lewis.
Cape visits Mariner next Friday in the regular season opener.
Cape Coral 7 13 6 6 – 32
Riverdale 14 3 0 15 – 32
First Quarter
CC – Larry Gary, 37 fumble recovery (Simon Perez kick)
R – Garrett Greenwell, 1 run (Mark Daboy kick)
R – Greenwell, 5 run (Deboy kick)
Second Quarter
R – FG, Deboy, 32
CC – Jaylen Watkins, 80 run (Perez kick)
CC – Gary, 20 pass from Watkins (run failed)
Third Quarter
CC – Jeremy Davis, 65 run (pass failed)
Fourth Quarter
CC – Pevin Lewis, 65 run (pass failed)
R – Greenwell, 1 run (Deboy kick)
R – Cordaveous Brown, 25 pass from Gahafer (Greenwell run)
Ida Baker 42, Estero 20: The Ida Baker Bulldogs possess a strong core of returning players who they’re counting on to make plays throughout this season.
They did exactly that in leading the Bulldogs to a lopsided victory at Estero.
The Bulldogs led 33-7 at halftime and punched in one more early in the third quarter to take a commanding 40-7 lead. Felix Solano came through with a blocked punt for safety, producing the final two points.
Early on, the Bulldogs moved the ball efficiently against the Wildcats. Junior quarterback Sean Francis threw a pair of touchdown passes, including a 25-yarder to Wake Forest recruit Johnny Garcia. The other went to junior Darryl Gary.
Senior Joseph Byrd rushed for two touchdowns and also returned a kickoff all the way, though it was brought back by a penalty.
Baker coach Brian Conn said he was pleased with the kicking of junior Cody Kluesner, who is replacing departed senior Curtis Dean.
Kluesner, a member of the Bulldogs’ soccer team, went 5-for-5 on extra points, made a 32-yard field goal and had another just miss from 47 yards.