Powerful storm: Pop Warner season begins

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Photo by YUNET HOLMES Michael Walker of the Naples Hurricanes (center) is greeted by several Cape Youth Thunder defenders during Saturday’s Pop Warner football game at the Storms Complex. More photos online at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com

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Photo by YUNET HOLMES Tylan Reynolds (right) of the Cape Youth Football Association Pee Wee Division Thunder makes a tackle during Saturday’s football game at the Storms Complex. It was the first regular seaon game.

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Photo by YUNET HOLMES Zaquandre White of the Cape Youth Pee Wee Thunder rips through a tackle attempt during Saturday’s Pop Warner football game at the Storms Complex. More photos available at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com

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Photo by YUNET HOLMES Austin Maimone of the Cape Youth Thunder carries the ball during Saturday’s game against the Naples Hurricanes. More photos are available at cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com

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Stormy weather and constant rain confronted the fields at the Storms Complex Saturday causing muddy and downright messy conditions for the Cape Coral Youth Football Association’s regular season opener against the Naples Hurricanes.

“It was a mess,” Cape Youth president Chris Boye concluded. “The field is so bad right now.”

Though many of the Pop Warner football games were delayed and eventually postponed, some of them were completed, including the upper division (Midget) contest between the Cape Youth Hurricanes and Naples Hurricanes.

The Cape Youth Hurricanes (ages 13-15) used a variety of different running backs and the strategy proved to be effective in leading the team to a 28-7 win.

Running backs Stephen Brown, Jaylen Mason, Zadarreon White and Jhshod Thornton found their way to the end zone behind the strong blocking from the offensive line. Quarterback/kicker Dylan Czerwinski made two extra points and the defense held Naples in check for most of the game.

The 28 points served as an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes after struggling to score points last season. Frank Connelley has returned as coach of the team and he’s joined by Mike McBride, who previously coached the Junior Midget Tornadoes.

Boye said the field started to dry up by the time that game got going and it allowed the Cape Hurricane running backs to make some good cuts.

The Tornadoes (11-13) also cruised to a 28-6 victory. Coach Mike Urraro was pleased with the entire team, particularly the line play which opened things up for the running backs and the quarterback Sage Atwood.

In other action, the Pee Wee Thunder (10-12) fell to a strong Naples team, though they battled hard from start to finish.

The Cape Youth Junior Pee Wee Lightning were unable to complete their game, which is to be played Tuesday. The Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite games were not completed and won’t be rescheduled.

Cape Junior

n The Cape Coral Junior Football Association had its way Saturday against the host Estero Mustangs, winning five of the six contests that kept score.

The Midget Dolphins rolled to a 37-8 victory. The Junior Midget Sharks and Mitey Mite Cobias each posted 20-0 shutouts. The Pee Wee Marlins prevailed 20-6, and the Junior Pee Wee Cudas won 12-7.

The Mitey Mite Manta Rays came up on the shortend of a 28-0 count.